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"The team works overnight to remodel the restaurant."
This page is under construction.
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People[]
Lisa Hemmat-Owner
Damien-Bar Manager
Bruna-Waitress
Priscila-Waitress
Luis Martinez-Chef
Arturo Martinez-Sous Chef
Scott Leibfried-Consulting Chef
Before Gordon's Arrival[]
Lisa graduated from USC with a degree in Business, and straight out of school, bought the restaurant at the age of 23. Due to her young age, and limited credit history, her father believed in her and agreed to co-sign for the restaurant loan. The local rumormill had her getting the restaurant as a "graduation gift from Daddy", which wasn't true. However, five years later, she is struggling, the restaurant is struggling, and she is more friends with her staff than a boss.
First Impressions[]
Gordon drives up in an Audi. He sees that the area is packed and wonders why Lido di Manhattan Beach is not. He is immediately struck by Lisa's youth. He, too, asks Lisa if "daddy bought it for her", and the "gift" was way out of her depth.
First Meal[]
Food Ordered[]
Eggplant Roll, Ahi Tuna Tower, Chicken Tortellini Salad
Impressions of the Food[]
Eggplant Roll-Gordon says it doesn't look appetizing, then spits it out and says the eggplant is crunchy and undercooked
Ahi Tuna Tower-Gordon says it doesn't taste fresh and asks if it's fresh
Chicken Tortellini Salad-Gordon says it tastes like rubber and is cold
First Dinner Service[]
Gordon talks to the brothers, Luis and Arturo, who admit the fish is frozen, but they're powerless to implement fresh fish. Gordon says even despite Lisa's youth, she should know better. Damien is struggling with an antiquated computer system. This problem spreads to the kitchen. Nonetheless, they push food out, but the customers don't seem to approve. Gordon to his horror sees that the tuna is pre-seared and then finds that Lisa never even looks in the fridge! Gordon starts to check the cleanliness of the kitchen, and finds it is disgusting. Lisa tells him it's not affecting the food and they have customers to serve. Gordon threatens to leave if the kitchen doesn't shut down immediately. Lisa is confused so Gordon tries a more direct approach. He goes into the dining room and invites the customers into the kitchen to see it. They all decide they no longer want to eat there. Lisa calls Gordon a jerk, to which he retorts she should be embarrassed. This drives Lisa to tears, and Gordon tells her to grow up. She goes to the bathroom to continue crying. Gordon takes control and pauses dinner service. He has the staff help clean, which they do willingly. Gordon allows the kitchen to resume service. Various waitresses try to get Lisa out of the bathroom, but she just keeps crying. They make it to the end of service, but the service still did not go well. Finally, Gordon talks to Lisa. Gordon calls her a princess, not as a compliment, and tells her she's in denial. He challenges her to come up with five changes she'd like to make.
Reflections[]
Gordon thinks Lisa has never been told the truth.
Remainder of the Visit[]
Lisa tells Gordon the changes she'd like to make. Among them, she wants to be proud of the food, stick with a menu theme, and learn more herself about the kitchen. Gordon also wants an immediate change for the better: getting rid of the ancient POS. He brings it to a table, pulls out a baseball bat and starts whacking at it, then the staff all take turns....with great satisfaction! Gordon teaches the chefs and Lisa a new tuna dish, so she can have a simple dish to learn to feel comfortable in the kitchen, gaining more confidence. Lisa was very nervous, and initially struggles in preparing the one special dish. Even the experienced chefs are making numerous mistakes, and prove to be lazy in their preparation and care in the food. As Lisa is in the kitchen, Damien is running the front by himself, and doing well, but when he communicates with the kitchen, they try to blame him for the mistakes that are clearly caused by the kitchen. By this point, Lisa has gotten the hang of her station and dish, and even enjoys it a little. She also notices her chefs performing poorly - using the microwave unnecessarily, dangerous food temperatures, and calls them out for it.
Restaurant & Menu Remodel[]
Gordon and his design team remodel the restaurant, with painted walls, new booths and new plates. He changes the concept to a wine bar as well. He then reveals he's bought them a new POS system. Gordon also redesigns the menu, with new fresher items.
Final Service[]
Lisa returns to the front of house. The chefs get off to a very slow start, and aren't even talking to each other. When the food makes it out, it comes out cold and with other mistakes. Lisa, with a better understanding of the kitchen starts to yell at the kitchen staff. The chefs curse her in Spanish, and all decide to walk out. Gordon pulls out his cell phone and calls his trusted Sous Chef from Hell's Kitchen: Scott Leibfried, to come to the restaurant and help with the transition. Luis, Arturo and the cooks do return, but Scott still arrives, and takes over control of the kitchen. Thanks to Scott, they rebound and the service is an overall success. Gordon tells Lisa he is impressed with how quickly she's learned from him. He tells her however, that he's not sure about the rest of the staff.
After Gordon's Departure[]
Scott retrains Luis and Arturo and they improve greatly. As of 2022, Lido di Manhattan Beach is still open and still owned by Lisa, and Luis and Arturo still run the kitchen.
Production Notes[]
TBA
Trivia[]
TBA
References[]