Since the World Series ended a few weeks ago, Fox has been airing two new episodes of Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares” lately back to back on Thursdays. Well, here is the problem….I love NFL football, and the NFL Network is now airing games on Thursday nights, at the same time Fox is running these episodes. So my apologies for these recaps running a couple of days behind, but folks, it’s football we’re talking about. And Fox execs, can’t you please do these one at a time instead of airing them all now and then showing me re-runs later? Okay, now on to business, and we’ll keep these two summaries brief…
Restaurant: Sabatiello’s
Location: Stamford, Connecticut
Owner: Sammy
Other Characters: Lauren (girlfriend and hostess), Jose (head chef)
The Problem: The food sucks, but Sammy’s ego and his cost-cutting ways have hurt business and contributed to almost seven figures of debt. He also confronts customers who don’t like his food. Ramsay tried the wedding soup, lasagna, and a steak and basically said it was “bleeping bleep.” He also visits the kitchen and finds out the lasagna are stored in the freezer as individual hockey puck servings. The other problem is that Jose is too slow in the kitchen.
How Ramsay Gets Through To Owner: He shows Sammy photos of Sammy from 10 or 20 years ago, when he had a successful pizzeria and a passion to match. He also found a photo of Sammy’s older brother, who had passed away a few years back and who Sammy really looked up to.
The Solution: Turn Sabatiello’s into an Italian steakhouse, and shrink the menu so that it’s easier on Jose and everyone else working there.
The Result: After struggling at first, Jose is helped by none other than Sammy in the kitchen, and the team gets the orders out. The customers love the new menu and Ramsay once again saves an egotistical, loud mouth Italian American, who actually seems like a really nice guy at heart.
Restaurant: Fiesta Sunrise
Location: Nyack, New York
Owner: Patti
Other Characters: Vic (manager), Yolanda (Vic’s wife/Patti’s mom), Donnie (Patti’s husband)
The Problem: The food sucks here too. In addition, the kitchen is disgusting, complete with cockroaches. Vic brought in items from his previous restaurant, including old menus, margerita glasses and probably some refried beans. Ramsay tries the taco/burrito/enchilada combo and is grossed out, and is also annoyed by the fact that the rice they served him appears to be days old. Also, Patti is the owner because she put her life’s savings as well as borrowed money in, but Vic won’t let her have a say in running the place. Yikes.
How Ramsay Gets Through To Owner: He makes it clear that Vic is the problem, and that they need to focus on branding the name and making the food fresh and vibrant. He also brings in Patti’s husband Donnie, who almost clocks Vic in the mouth.
The Solution: Hire an exterminator and thoroughly clean the kitchen. Then bring in the best Mexican chef from Manhattan, Julieta, who also happens to be from Mexico. Ramsay also gives the place an incredible re-design, including the signage in front of the restaurant.
The Result: The kitchen is slow at first to adapt to the menu created by Ramsay and Julieta, but once they get it going, the customers are in love with the food. Those customers include the mayor of Nyack, who loves the taquitos. Everyone is happy, including Ramsay, and probably even Donnie.
See you all next week, and depending on how many new episodes there are, I might be a day or two late with this recap again. You all forgive me, right? Gordon Ramsay, we cool?
