Ep 1. Anna Maria's

In season 3 episode 1 of Restaurant: Impossible, host Robert Irvine visits Anna Maria's, a restaurant in Dunmore, Pennsylvania that has been struggling to stay afloat. Anna Maria's was once a successful Italian restaurant, but over the years the quality of the food and service has declined, causing customers to stop coming in. The owner, Andrea, is passionate about the business but lacks the necessary skills to turn it around.

When Robert arrives at Anna Maria's, he is immediately struck by the dingy and outdated decor, as well as the lack of cleanliness in the kitchen. He meets with Andrea and her family to discuss the problems with the restaurant, and it becomes clear that there are deep-seated issues that need to be addressed. In addition to the quality of the food, the service is slow and disorganized, and the menu is confusing and poorly designed.

Over the course of two days, Robert and his team work tirelessly to transform Anna Maria's. They completely redesign the dining room, giving it a bright and airy feel with new paint, furniture, and artwork. In the kitchen, the team replaces outdated equipment, deep cleans every surface, and revamps the menu to focus on simple, classic Italian dishes with fresh ingredients.

One of the biggest challenges of the renovation is helping Andrea and her family members become better managers. Robert works with them on communication skills, time management, and delegation, and encourages them to lead by example and set the tone for the rest of the staff. By the end of the episode, Anna Maria's is a whole new restaurant, with a welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, and attentive service.

Throughout the episode, there are emotional moments as Andrea and her family confront the harsh realities of their business, including the fact that they have been losing money for years. Robert pushes them to rethink their approach and make changes that will help them to turn a profit, while also reminding them of why they are in the restaurant business in the first place.

Overall, season 3 episode 1 of Restaurant: Impossible is a heartwarming and inspiring episode that shows the power of hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn and grow. Andrea and her family are transformed by the experience, and Anna Maria's is given a second chance to thrive and succeed.