User reviews

Chef Irvine is bombastic and British - perfect fodder for an American food show.

This fresh update of the tired formula still being pushed by Kitchen Nightmares is worth a look. I enjoyed Gordon Ramsay when he first started, but lately the 'lay it on thick' emotional rubbish and bosses who just don't deserve help have reduced my interest in the show. If it wasn't for the show revolving around helping people (always worth supporting on that basis) I probably would have stopped watching.

Restaurant Impossible is like a nice reboot of the concept. We get to meet the crew who do the renovation, and watch it all come together. The cooking tips are real and the pressure seems genuine. I look forward to the next season, and do genuinely hope that the Kitchen Nightmares producers learn some lessons from this junior 'knock-off' and revitalise their own tired show.

Restaurant: Impossible is the much milder version of Gordon Ramsey's 'Kitchen Nightmares' television series, and while Robert Irvine tries to flex his gargantum muscles and blast his icy-blue eyes hidden behind his shimmering spectacles on wary and generally confused restaurant owners, there is a gentleness and generosity to this show which gives it a much needed breath of freshness from many 'makeover' shows airing today.

We all remember Irvine from his Dinner: Impossible days, and it seems that the Food Network has forgiven any of the lies or exaggerated claims he has made about his credentials (because of course, this is show business, and no one is quite honest about what they have done or are doing now, have they?) and given him this new baby to feed, and it seems to be doing pretty well. In fact, it's one of the more interesting series on the Food Network right now.

Here, there is a little mixture of extreme grossness (cockroaches, rats, ten years worth of molded grease and other forms of nastiness galore), enough sob stories to to keep you mildly endeared to the situations of these mainly clueless, hapless people who think that owning and running a restaurant is just shoveling out plates of food and taking in the dough, but not enough that this become Psychosis: Impossible. Irvine marches into these failing institutions, and proceeds to rip, tear, and shred them down to the very naked bone, but not in a mean, nasty, or condescending way. There is no sense of him pimping the emotional weaknesses and general ignorance of these people just for the kicks, and in the end the results are good, and sometimes quite lovely, even though there is a question of how many of these people will keep up the suggestions and listen to Irvine's critiques and improve their business upon them.

Here, the focus is more or less on the owners and their jaded misconceptions about one of the most-likely-to-fail businesses on the planet than on established restaurants which are crumbling beneath bad management, so on and so forth. Whereas Ramsey will curse, defile, and break down restaurants and their owners, Irvine uses some of the brashness without the snarls, and there have only been a few times when he seems genuinely irritated or upset with these people, which shows quite a bit of patience and sympathy on his part. He knows, better than even the viewers can, that most of these people have generally no idea what they are getting into and have, not surprisingly, gotten themselves into a situation which they cannot escape from. Some are angry, others seems numb, others are stuck in disbelief that their food tastes terrible or that their décor looks like something out of a bad horror movie.

Eventually, after all the tears have dried or facial tissues have proceeded to return to their original shades, the work begins. Over the three seasons, a retinue of different designers have appeared on this show with differing degrees of attractiveness to their work, and the most consistent designers will be seen over-and-over again. The rest of the show is spent reworking the menu and flavors, cleaning up the normally disgusting kitchens, and putting all the feathers back into place. In the end, the results are normally quite attractive, and the reactions of the people can seem a little cheesy at times, but Irvine seems genuinely happy to bring happiness into the lives of these depressed, on-the-edge of the precipice people and their families.

It's a much gentler, family-friendly version of Kitchen Nightmares and much more watchable if you're looking for a decent show to pass time with, not the bitterness-and-bile boot camp where people are degraded and insulted everyone two seconds. As time progresses, I feel this show will get even better, and there is a great chance we can enjoy Irvine and his restaurant escapades for many seasons to come.

Each week, a different failing restaurant is given a FAST makeover by Robert Irvine and his assistants. In many cases, you find the restaurant owners likable but clueless. In others, they just seem like annoying jerks who seem to fight Irvine's suggestions--and the audience WANTS to see them fail but Irvine, inexplicably, doesn't give up. Regardless, by the end of the show, the establishment is cleaner, brighter and more able to succeed. Despite being HIGHLY scripted, the show, overall, is very entertaining. My only complaints are that the followups online are very vague and I'd LOVE to see a followup show a year or two later when they revisit many of the old shows. Still, a simple idea that manages to work.

I know that there has been some controversy about the host, Robert Irvine's credentials. I tried to get to the truth of this by reading a lot of articles on the internet and really couldn't. It appears as if he might have exaggerated a bit instead of actually lying about his experiences. However, he IS a very good host of the show--mostly because he appears to care so much about the people (unlike in the British version of this show--where the host is very abusive). He also seems like a really nice guy--and that is hard to fake.

Every time I see this show I end up crying. What the h---is wrong with people. He is trying to help. If people don't take advantage and run with it shame on their dumb ass. God knows I would love that kind of help but it will never happen to me. He may not have the money Jon T. in bar rescue, (who I also love) but he gives people a second chance. I love it!! If you don't appreciate what he is trying to do then you have never had to really fight to stay alive.

It's enjoyable and fun to watch. It's a lot more about changing the business end, personal issues and aesthetics of the restaurant than the food. New Dishes only account for about 1 minute per show, which is a little disappointing. The biggest challenge is that it seems 80-90% of the restaurants don't make it and are closed within months anyways. That's not necessarily the fault of the show, many of these have tax liens, behind months in rent, or go back to their old ways as soon as the crew leaves, but sometimes it's also because they come in and make the place look amazing, update the kitchen, bring everything back to code and then the landlord realizes they can make 50-100% more in rent so all the benefits of the money and renovations and repairs end up going to the landlord. I would only do this if I personally owned the building they were doing renovations to or was like 1 year into a 5 year lease, otherwise it's just creating an incentive for your landlord to gouge the restaurant as soon as the show airs and location gets national attention. That's the sad part.

I Love this show Chef Robert is an army drill Sargent type of guy that will get things moving, He's not Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray, He's honest in the best way, not the demoralizing "You ARE A PIECE OF SH*T!" way that is Gordan Ramsey's style, but the "I'm gonna tell you what you don't want to hear but you know it's true,"

It's tough but I'm here to help you, Brutally Honest, Brutally True.

Chef Robert say's "I will make YOU better, With this and that, YOU can do this, I will help you." And this show has Real actions, and reactions, it changes lives, and every show you can feel the real reality, unlike, most "reality shows" on TV.

I have watched one episode of this show, and it is literally a carbon copy of the kitchen nightmare format! Bad kitchen, chef comes in to see kitchen, head chef (HC) lies to presenter chef (PC). PC wants to see kitchen in action, and HC does silly things, PC brings them up on it and HC kicks off. HC then realises that PC is right. All is well.

Literally a Kitchen Nightmare rip off! Watch that, as Gordon is so much better!

He does great things and obviously knows what he is doing. His team are amazing, turning around the look and vibe of the restaurants.

But why is he so rude? Is it necessary to be so abrupt and rude to complete strangers? His first approach to the restauranteurs is just RUDE!

And what does this guy know about "counseling" I find him very inappropriate at times.

But at the end, usually he gets it done and helps turn around these restaurants!

I loved the first several seasons of this show, because it was all about the FOOD. Sure, it involved fixing the kitchen/giving the place a facelift to make it an attractive package, but it has devolved to "HGTV/Marriage counseling Hour". I, like many people, will go into a hole in the wall, as long as it's relatively clean, but mostly IF THE FOOD IS GOOD. The last few seasons the food aspect has been less than 5 minutes out of every hour episode. So the recent places may look nice, but the food is still going to suck.

Here's something you'll hear every episode: The designer of the episode will say "There are sooooo many dust collectors", or "We HATE nik-naks!", only to put up a thousand new dust collectors and nik naks to replace the ones they just hauled outside.

It was funny when Robert used to take a sledgehammer to a wall or whatever, because then he'd walk off to the kitchen and make something delicious. Now he hangs around the remodel or goes to the trailer and makes phone calls. Very disappointing.

I thought this was a FOOD network show. What happened to the FOOD part of the show??

Great concept as I love watching shows of this style where you see businesses improve with help from a pro. This guy is the worst. The way he speaks to people is horrendous. Roid rage maybe? This guy needs to dial himself down drastically.

This show should be called Restaurant Impostor.

Talk about a Gordon Ramsey wannabe.

Did not know chefs were also trained to be counselors, let's keep the reason for the show to what it was meant to be, helping the owners of the restaurant get back on track and save their failing restaurant. Find Robert Irvine to be condescending and arrogant and somewhat of a bully. Let's keep the subject to food and restaurant revamping please. Oh and do quit the copycat behaviour.

it is a great TV show it is one cool show i like when Robert messes up a food place it is just a amazing show i never saw anything like this before it is one entertaining show i like it a lot make this the number 1 show on the food network it is one of the best shows that you could ever see i like this food show more than any food show on TV this is one cool show on TV this show is a hoot it is the bomb you will like this show more than any show in the whole world i like this show a lot Restaurant Impossible rocks this is one cool show that the whole family will enjoy i like this show so much make this show number 1 i never saw a show this good before you will like it a lot i think this is one cool show and you will like this show a lot you will lie it a lot have one good day and please watch this show it is a amazing show that you will enjoy so much this is one cool show that you will like so much this is one cool show this is one cool show i never saw anything like this before

Robert Irvine is an inspiration for failing eateries. It's interesting to see what he can do with what is already there and work with the menu to help make businesses successful. Some might be sensitive to his in your face style, but it gets things done. Great show.

Robert is completely no nonsense. He doesn't listen to excuses and encourages owners to take responsibility for their failures.

Wow - unbelievable. The entire show is designed to denigrate, shame and embarrass the restaurant owners who are already suffering. It would be a great show if they actually wanted to help. Direct, raw and true criticism is appropriate and useful. I get that ratings and entertainment are key attributes to any successful program that airs but damn, a bit of humanity, kindness and true good intention to achieve the actual goal of the show (helping restaurants get back on track) could go a long way. Simply kicking people when they are down for entertainment is shameful.

I've heard that this show is not being continued, and I'm very, very sad and disappointed! This show has it all: education regarding running a business/restaurant, a little drama, and very heartwarming! I love that there's no yelling, I REFUSE to watch that other show with the yelling!

I certainly hope that I am incorrect, and that this show continues, as I find it uplifting and educational! In the meantime, I will certainly be watching reruns, as I just can't get enough of this TV show!

And I will watch for other shows that feature Robert Irvine, as I would certainly watch them with pleasure!

Thank you, Mr. Irvine for a great show!!!

Ok let me say the concept of this show is appealing as we all want the underdog to succeed. The formula of the show is a carbon copy of gordon ramsey's kitchen nightmares but obviously tapping into a market that might find ramsey too aggressive or abrasive!! But I would have to say Irvine gives ramsey a run for his money. If anything Irvine has an uglier ego and comes across as a drill sergeant who shouts at the top his voice to intimidate and control others. Even his entourage who help with the makeovers cop unessersary abuse despite having to do the practical work in one day! His approach needs to be taken down a notch. He might be a big brawny muscle dude but unfortunately he comes from the 'prawn' variety. What can make him most unappealing is his constant hypocritic judgments of others, calling them arrogant, rude or egotistical. Does he not watch the show and see his behaviour is just that! I get it he is helping others but he callously makes them feel they deserve the treatment because they called for his help. Doesn't help that he takes all the credit for the end results from others, such as the designers and fitters who slave away to create a new resturaunt. Pretty sure he takes no responsibility for majority of the restaurants that fail. At the end of the day, he majoritily of the time has not achieved success and what he has set out to do, since many restaurants have failed within a year. Clearly his success is inflating his own ego every episode and not being fired for the failed resturaunts.

If you've seen 5 minutes of KN with Gordon Ramsay you could script an entire episode of this yourself - all of the conceptual and structural components are there. However, those who find Gordon Ramsay a bit too intense or vulgar may enjoy Robert Irvine's mellower interventional approach more. He is a verbally cleaner host than Gordon Ramsay and does not seem to prescribe to the methodology of getting a rise out of people by insulting them to instill or reignite passion. The show may also be more digestible as it cuts a lot of the fat (pardon the pun) out that KN typically leaves in which, again, select viewers are partial to but some feel makes accessing the actual meat of the episode more tedious. He also lays pressure on his aspiring restauranteurs in a different way - if you imagine it like flattening a veal cutlet for cooking, while Gordon metaphorically is not reserved in grabbing the meat hammer and going to town to tenderize it, Irvine follows a calmer press and release tactic that remains firm but the volume level rarely changes. For those used to Ramsay's tirades, Irvine will almost seem borderline vegetative sometimes, but he offers the same critique and constructive feedback and his passion often still shows through.

Ultimately, your preference for this show really boils down to which personality you resonate with more. I love both for different reasons and for me they seem to work together to create a nice balance, in the sense that I love KN all the same but when I get tired of Gordon's more razer-sharp, explosive approach, I can turn the heat down and watch this show. When I find myself dozing off from the show's mellower disposition, the other will be there to get the pans really blazing once more. Either way, you can't go wrong.

This show is like Kitchen Nightmares (Chef Gordon Ramsay) replaced by a drill sergeant.

Robert Irvine is unpleasant to watch. His management style of being pushy, demanding, and loud is something that no one in their right mind would like to deal with. Imagine if you will your general Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay where he comes into a restaurant and tries an assortment of dishes, comments on the decor, and comes up with changes. This is the exact same with the exception of Mr. Irvine being loud and forceful instead of trying to communicate and develop a discussion. He brings the same militant need for control and complete lack of finesse to this show as what made Dinner Impossible grating.

Robert Irvine is an embarrassment to the foodservice industry. Shame on the Food Network for putting this tool on their network. At least Gordon Ramsey knows the industry and is respected. This fool is neither. I am watching an episode right now. He asks the owners what type of restaurant they have and they answer Mexican sports bar. He laughs at them as he who knows so much has never heard of a Mexican Sports Bar. Google them. They are everywhere. He makes tiny changes and pretends he made a difference. I have been in this industry my entire career and I apologize for this loser. That is not to say there are not others that are not also weak, but this guy is the worst of them all.

Robert Irvine is a low-class boor. He screams at people he's never met before, just to get them to come out and meet him. Could he not kindly ask someone to bring them out? And when he eats their food, if it's bad he actually makes us watch him disgustingly spit it out, like the child Tom Hanks plays in Big. Then we're supposed to believe he's a brilliant psychologist and can fix all family problems as well as magically make them perfect cooks (although I do believe he's a good cook; many of the dishes he prepares look very yummy). I like seeing the restaurant before and after but if they got rid of the muscle-bound oaf I think the show would be much more enjoyable.

This host is loud, bellowing at people, he is rude to them even when they are polite, he's lazy, standing around with his big muscles showing in his black tee, while everyone else carries things in or out. At night he goes to the hotel to sleep while the designer and carpenter are left to work all night; then in the morning he yells at them if they've not finished. At the end he takes credit, calling them "my" designer and carpenter. He even uses bad grammar (did I tell you to do them things...) "Them" things?? He can be disgusting, making "barf" faces to describe a dish, but then pretends he's such a brilliant chef because he salts something. Oh, and the constant reruns. I keep thinking I'm going to see new shows and that he'll be better behaved. Come on, Food Network. You have so many good shows; you can do better than this!