Ep 9. Portugril

Restaurant Takeover is a Canadian reality television show that helps struggling restaurants get back on track with the help of experts in the industry. In season 2 episode 9, the show takes on the challenge of saving Portugril, a Portuguese restaurant located in Mississauga, Ontario.

The episode starts with Jonathon, the owner of Portugril, explaining the struggles his restaurant has faced in the past year. He is a first-time restaurateur and has been facing financial difficulties due to poor customer traffic. The quality of the food has also been inconsistent, which has led to negative reviews on various online platforms.

The host of the show, chef Corbin Tomaszeski, takes a tour of the restaurant and observes the issues faced by the staff. The kitchen is small and unorganized, leading to delays in food preparation. The menu is overcomplicated with too many options, making it difficult for customers to decide on what to order. The ambiance of the restaurant is also dated and does not match the vibrant cuisine of Portugal.

Corbin brings in the expert team, including restaurant consultant Cheryl Torrenueva, to help turn things around. The first step is to revamp the menu by simplifying it and focusing on the traditional Portuguese dishes that the restaurant excels in. They also introduce new specials and platters to attract more customers. The team provides constant training to the staff to ensure consistency in the quality of the food served.

The kitchen is given a complete makeover with new equipment and a more efficient layout. The team also adds some Portuguese flair to the decor, giving the restaurant a more modern and inviting look. The changes are aimed at making the customers feel like they are having an authentic Portuguese experience.

Throughout the episode, tensions rise between the team and Jonathon as he struggles to accept the changes being made to his restaurant. He disagrees with the new menu items, causing delays in the kitchen and impacting customer satisfaction. However, as the days go by, Jonathon begins to see the benefits of the changes and starts to appreciate the team's efforts in saving his business.

The climax of the episode is the grand reopening of Portugril with a brand new look, menu, and system in place. The team has invited food critics and guests, and everyone is excited and nervous to see what the response will be. The new menu items and platters are a hit, and the guests are impressed with the warm and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant.

In the end, the show's efforts paid off, and Portugril was saved from going under. The staff was happier, the customers were satisfied, and Jonathon had a sense of direction for his restaurant. Restaurant Takeover season 2 episode 9 is a heartwarming tale of how a passionate team saved a struggling restaurant and gave it a new lease on life.