Ep 7. Take It or Leave It

In Restaurant: Impossible season 9 episode 7, titled "Take It or Leave It," restaurateur and television personality Robert Irvine takes on the task of revamping an eatery in Chesterfield, Virginia. The restaurant in question is the Chester Family Restaurant, which has been around for over 30 years but has seen a steady decline in business over the recent past.

The owners of the Chester Family Restaurant, sisters Lynn and Susan, have been struggling to keep the restaurant afloat and are on the edge of a breakdown. The building is in a state of disrepair, the kitchen is not up to code, and the menu has become outdated and unappetizing. The restaurant's décor is drab and uninviting, and it's clear that there's no appeal to attract customers.

Robert arrives at the restaurant with his team and wastes no time getting to work. His first task is to sit down with the sisters and understand their story. He knows that each restaurant has its own unique challenges, and the key to success lies in finding out what's gone wrong and what needs fixing.

The sisters tell Robert about their struggles with the restaurant, and it's apparent that they are exhausted and don't know where to start. Robert observes the kitchen and the dining room and notes that there's a lot of work to be done. The kitchen needs cleaning, repairs, and a new layout to make it more efficient. The menu needs a complete overhaul, and the décor needs brightening up to attract customers.

Robert and his team start by giving the restaurant a deep clean, which is much needed. The kitchen is completely re-organized, with new equipment and a new layout that would allow the chef to work more efficiently. Robert brings in the top designer Taniya Nayak to transform the dining room. Tanya’s goal is to lighten up the restaurant’s interiors, replacing the dark and drab décor with vibrant colors and textures that complement the new menu.

Meanwhile, Robert works hand in hand with Chef Tom Pantano, who has the daunting task of creating a new menu in just 24 hours. Chef Tom is an experienced chef, and he pulls out all stops to ensure the menu is a success.

Robert wants Chef Tom to keep the menu simple and streamlined while using fresh ingredients to create dishes that are both flavorful and visually appealing. Chef Tom's new menu includes dishes like chicken and waffles, short rib grilled cheese, and smoked salmon Benny. With just a few tweaks, the whole menu is transformed, and it's now delicious and attractive.

As the renovation progresses, challenges arise, as they do in every episode. The team encounters several issues like rotten walls, and miscommunication with the contractors. But nothing deters Robert and his crew from their goal of revamping the Chester Family Restaurant. In the end, the restaurant is transformed from a dingy and lifeless establishment into a warm and inviting eatery that reflects the character of its hardworking owners.

"Take It or Leave It" is a classic example of how Robert Irvine, with his experience, skills, and determination, can turn failing restaurants around. He is not just a chef, but also a coach, motivator, and inspiration to those he helps. He knows that success in the restaurant industry depends not just on good cooking but also on teamwork, management, and marketing. His approach is simple - find the problems, solve them, and create a new vision for the business. In this episode, Robert does just that, and as always, he enlists the help of leading experts in the field to make it happen.