Ep 11. La Frite

In season 4, episode 11 of Kitchen Nightmares, Chef Gordon Ramsay heads to Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, to help the struggling French restaurant La Frite. The restaurant is owned by Dominique, a Frenchman who has lost his passion and drive for running his business. The decor of the restaurant is outdated, and their menu is uninspired and unappetizing. The restaurant is losing customers every day, and Dominique is sinking his life savings into it to keep it afloat.

Gordon Ramsay arrives at the restaurant and is immediately greeted by Dominique. Gordon remarks that the decor of the restaurant is outdated and that it looks like a "French antique shop." The menu is bland and uninspired, and the food is lackluster. It's clear that Dominique has lost his passion for running the restaurant and is struggling to stay afloat.

Gordon begins his investigation by trying some of La Frite's dishes. He is disappointed to find that the mashed potatoes are cold and lumpy, the escargot is bland and mushy, and the red wine sauce is greasy and tasteless. Gordon confronts Dominique and tells him that he needs to step up his game and rekindle his passion for running a French restaurant.

The next day, Gordon decides to give the restaurant a makeover and modernize the menu. He introduces a new menu that includes duck confit, coq au vin, and beef bourguignon. He also brings in a new chef, Gabriel, to help in the kitchen and introduce some new dishes. Gordon also teaches the staff how to properly prepare the dishes and serve the customers.

During the lunch service, the restaurant starts off slow, but then begins to pick up as customers start to enjoy the new menu items. However, the dinner service proves to be challenging, as Dominique starts to panic and lose control in the kitchen. Gordon confronts him and tells him that he's not leading his team well and that he needs to step up and take charge.

The next day, Gordon decides to take Dominique to meet with a successful French restaurateur, Thierry. Thierry gives Dominique some much-needed advice and tells him that he needs to take his restaurant more seriously and rekindle his passion for running a French restaurant. Dominique takes Thierry's advice to heart and decides to take a more active role in managing his staff and running the restaurant.

That night, the dinner service runs much smoother, and the customers are impressed with the quality of the food. Gordon is pleased with the progress that La Frite is making and believes that they have a fighting chance at turning their business around.

In the end, Dominique realizes that he needs to take his restaurant seriously and has rekindled his passion for running a French restaurant. Gordon has breathed new life into La Frite, and the restaurant is on the path to success. The show ends with Gordon saying that the restaurant industry is tough, but with hard work and dedication, anyone can turn their business around and succeed.