Ep 2. Mainelli's

When Chef Robert Irvine arrives at Mainelli's, a family-owned Italian restaurant in New Jersey, he quickly realizes that the issues plaguing the business go far beyond the food. The restaurant has been in business for 32 years and is struggling to survive, with outdated decor, a confusing menu, and a lack of direction from the owners, sisters Joanne and Tina.

As Chef Irvine sits down for a meal at the restaurant, he finds himself unimpressed with the food and overwhelmed by the cluttered space. During a meeting with the owners, he discovers that they are in debt and considering closing the restaurant for good.

Chef Irvine enlists the help of his team to completely revamp the restaurant. They start by updating the decor, giving the space a modern and inviting feel. Chef Irvine then tackles the menu, simplifying it and focusing on fresh ingredients and classic Italian dishes. He works closely with the kitchen staff to ensure they can execute the new menu flawlessly.

As the makeover progresses, tensions rise between Chef Irvine and the owners. They are resistant to change and struggle to let go of some of their old practices. Meanwhile, Chef Irvine becomes frustrated with their lack of organization and communication.

Despite the challenges, the team pushes on, determined to give Mainelli's a new lease on life. On the day of the relaunch, the restaurant is packed with curious customers eager to see the changes. The new menu is a hit, and the customers rave about the food and decor.

In the end, Chef Irvine is pleased with the final results and confident that Mainelli's has a bright future. However, he realizes that change must come from within and encourages the owners to continue to work on their communication and organizational skills.

Overall, this episode of Restaurant: Impossible highlights the struggles of family-owned businesses and the difficulties of enacting change. Chef Irvine's persistence and attention to detail ultimately allow him to transform Mainelli's into a successful restaurant, but not without facing some challenges along the way.