The Restaurant Man

[Cherrypie32]

I know it's a bit of a cliche format now but I've really enjoyed the last two of these I've seen. DH and I never get tired of the crazy people who start business without any real idea what they're doing, but love it when they pull it off!

I hope the Italian gets up and running because in a commuter town with only one other Italian restaurant, I can imagine it would do well. I agree that Tony seems a bully and that his family were a bit scared of him. Megan especially seemed meek. Also think that in his mind, opening the restaurant wasn't urgent because he owns the property rather than rents it and he also had the hairdressing business going.

I think I might have a 'thing' for Russell too

I don't know if it was edited out but this weeks episode with the lady in Coventry made me feel a bit uncomfortable in that he gave very little advice compared to how he was with the others featured in previous eps.

He gave lots of advice, she didn't listen

I think he knew she was doomed before he came on board. The place she'd rented was far too big and expensive. The odds were heavily stacked against her - and the fact that she was trying to do a full-time job as well.

To be fair, he tried to keep her focused and on track, but she didn't listen to anything he said. She even discontinued the buffet which looked as if it might turn it around.

It ended up in an object lesson in what not to do.

I agree Thyme. He seemed like his heart wasn't in it but like you said, he was facing an uphill struggle with her. I hated the decor of the restaurant and it seemed to me to be in a quiet place of the city with little footfall, which I notice Russell didn't comment on though he did with the other people in previous episodes.

OOh glad I've found this thread, I love a good critique.

I got really angry with the Italian guy - especially when I googled his restaurant to see that it was not yet open. Because, apart from Russel's advice which is invaluable, surely the other major advantage of being on the show is the massive advertising opportunity. Not being open by the time the show airs is a colossal waste of that opportunity. Fools.

Last week's - I felt really sorry for the lady. It sounded like she had a really good idea - unusual, home cooked food away from the usual takeaway fare, which could have been great. But then she just didn't see it through. The food her 'chef' was churning out looked disgusting, and the decor looked like a nasty takeaway where drunk people would congregate on a Saturday night. I think Russel was just exasperated by the end.

I agree there's something slightly alluring about him too.....

I turned on the first episode of this series when on the run from Waterloo Road - and realised that I was at uni with Russell back in the mid 80s.

Couldn't believe that he's ended up as a restaurant guru from his days of David Byrne lookalike, floppy-haired, black turtle neck-wearing, Oscar Wilde lover who was the year above me on the same English degree.

A friend and I were invited to a 'dinner party' in his arty garret bedsit back in the day - wish I could remember what he cooked us now!

surely the other major advantage of being on the show is the massive advertising opportunity.

Absolutely and I am pleased to say it still seems to be working very well for the Salt Bar in Macclesfield. I said further up the thread that we had eaten there a couple of times before the programme went out. Last Saturday we were in town at lunch time and thought we would pop in to see if we could get a table. No chance! The nice lady on front of house said that since they had been on the TV show they had been even busier than usual and that we would really need to make a reservation to be sure of a table. Got the phone number now for another time.....

Caught up with episode one today which is the burger restaurant in Southampton. Suffice to say I think DH will make a visit soon but if the programme was anything to go by I think we may struggle to get a table too. If its a good concept and the food is right being on the programme is a massive boost surely.

Glad to see Debbie's doing well - if I was ever in Macclesfield I'd definitely visit.

Looks the Italian restaurant is finally up and running:

twitter.com/ilpadrinoUK

Loved the one tonight of the café in Warwickshire.

Russell tweeted earlier he doesn't know if there'll be a second series or not.

Loved tonight's episode

I thought they got the decor and the general pitch of the food spot on. I was also mightily impressed with the lovely chef lady that they found, she coped so well on the opening day! (think they need to sack the mother in law on the drinks though!!)

The food looked fantastic, loved those quiches. It's definitely somewhere I would go to.

They obviously saved a success story for the last episode! Good luck to those ladies.

I loved last night's episode too, it was fab. I'd go there too.

Russell, if you're reading, pleeeease can we have another series? I fair enjoyed this one apart from the bloody Italian man who put my blood pressure up.

Loved last night's episode. Their tea room looked gorgeous, and now I keep craving a well made quiche!

Love Russell, supportive and helpful. We don't need Gordon Ramsay running around like a bad tempered jack russell who's stood on a rusty nail.

The burger place in Portswood is always jam packed - it's difficult to get a table - the burgers are very yummy though