Tonight's Restaurant: Impossible has Robert Irvine going to the Maple Tree Cafe in Las Vegas, Nevada to try to help a 26 year-old owner, Ashley, who is new to the restaurant industry. She has hired many of her family members, who are also inexperienced, to help run the restaurant. As I do every week, I searched around the
internet to read stories and reviews about the Maple Tree Cafe to get an idea of
how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews are post Restaurant: Impossible): The Positive Reviews:
- "Took my staff here for lunch on Friday after hearing about the RI update. I'm anxious to see the show, but I'm happy to give it my thumbs up...Service is quick and attentive. Servers are friendly and spoke briefly with the owner to ask how things were going since the filming and she indicated that things were better than before, but some changes were still in process."
- "Restaurant Impossible has done well for this place."
- "I have been eating at this restaurant for years. I've seen many changes... new owners... new menus.. new decor. Honestly, I've seen a pleasant improvement here. The service was top notch the last few visits... I feel like they actually care about their restaurant and their customers."
- "My family had breakfast at Maple Tree after hearing about the RI makeover. The interior is really great, and the food was even better. The red velvet pancakes were to die for and the country style potatoes are probably the best I've ever eaten. The servers were very attentive. We'll definitely be back!"
- "This is an awesome breakfast and lunch spot. Can't wait to go back... A few service glitches but worth the trip."
The Negative Reviews:
- "I have never given a one star review for any place ever, but my recent experience at Maple Tree was overall simply poor. I used to go to the Maple Tree pre- Restaurant Impossible-makeover, and I honestly felt that the food was better. This restaurant makeover serves no purpose when the food and staff are horrible."
- "Horrible service in every area today...We ordered the breakfast burrito and the spring rolls. Well the spring rolls were way over cooked and the breakfast burrito was made with sausage instead of bacon like it was ordered. The hash browns were burnt as well"
- "Even after Irvine's visit to turn this place around I find The Maple Tree Cafe to continue to disappoint. The staff is so unattentive to guests it is almost funny. We spent 10 minutes trying to get one of four waitress' attention to get a glass of water."
Conclusion:
Many of the reviews before the makeover were already pretty good, so maybe the makeover was more for a mentoring a new owner rather than bad business. The Maple Tree Cafe is now open 7 days a week for Breakfast and Lunch, and will be open a few nights a week to showcase Robert Irvine's menu changes. I think none of the menu items on their breakfast menu changed and Robert focused on revamping the lunch/dinner menu. From the reviews, it looks like most people like the breakfast food, especially the red velvet waffles, and the service can be hit or miss.
The makeover was done in late July, and the Maple Tree Cafe has already opened 2 additional locations in Las Vegas partnering with Lucky's Lounge (both opened on September 1st). While many owners on Restaurant Impossible seem incompetent to run a business, it seems as if Ashley knows what she is doing. What makes me say this is that she is addressing negative reviews on review sites, maintaining Facebook and Twitter accounts for the restaurant, and offering discounts if you check-in at the restaurant. She had to have an idea about opening additional restaurants before Restaurant Impossible came to visit, so probably used the show as a way to gain exposure, which is very smart.
What are your thoughts after watching the episode on Maple Tree Cafe? Think they have what it takes to succeed?
UPDATE 10/2013 - The 2 additional locations of Maple Tree Cafe in Lucky's Lounge have closed, however the restaurant made over by Restaurant Impossible remains open.
UPDATE 11/2013 - The Maple Tree Cafe is now closed. More information on the closing.
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