Restaurant Divided Season 1 Episode 1 Mia Famiglia

Restaurant Divided is a reality TV show that follows the journey of struggling restaurants as they receive a helping hand from two experienced and well-respected restaurant consultants, Willie Degel and Joe Bastianich. The first episode of season 1, titled "Mia Famiglia," showcases a family-owned Italian restaurant located in New York City.

Mia Famiglia is a small restaurant that has been run by the Patriarca family for over 30 years. While the restaurant was once a favorite spot among locals, in recent years, the business has been struggling to attract new customers and retain regulars. The restaurant's decor is outdated, the menu is uninspiring, and the service is lackluster.

After a brief introduction to the restaurant and its owners, the show's hosts, Willie Degel and Joe Bastianich, pay a visit to Mia Famiglia and observe firsthand the issues that are holding the business back. Willie is quick to point out that the restaurant's interior decor is uninviting, and Joe notes that the restaurant's menu lacks focus and fails to showcase the restaurant's Italian roots.

The Patriarca family is receptive to the consultants' feedback and is eager to make changes. However, tensions begin to rise as family members start to disagree over the best course of action to take. The matriarch of the family, Mama Patriarca, is resistant to making any changes to the menu, as she believes that traditional Italian dishes are what the customers want.

The consultants decide to divide the restaurant into two teams, with Joe taking on the front of the house and Willie working on the back of the house. Joe's team focuses on updating the decor and service of the restaurant, while Willie's team works on revamping the menu and kitchen operations.

Over the next few days, the teams work tirelessly to make improvements to the restaurant. Willie creates a new menu that features classic Italian dishes with a modern twist, while Joe trains the waitstaff on how to improve the customer experience. The restaurant's walls are painted, new lighting fixtures are installed, and the tables are rearranged to create a more inviting atmosphere.

The tension between family members comes to a head when Mama Patriarca refuses to let go of her signature dish, calamari, which Willie has deemed too expensive to make. The tension culminates in a heated argument between Mama Patriarca and Willie, with the rest of the family caught in the middle.

Despite the family drama, the two teams are able to make significant improvements to the restaurant, and the Patriarca family is pleased with the changes. On re-opening night, the family is nervous but excited to see how the new changes will be received by their customers.

The episode ends on a high note as customers come in and rave about the new menu and decor. The waitstaff is able to handle the crowd with ease, and the Patriarca family is able to enjoy a successful night without any drama.

Overall, the first episode of Restaurant Divided showcases the challenges and rewards of transforming a struggling restaurant. With the help of the consultants, the Patriarca family is able to make the necessary changes to bring their restaurant back to life.