Summary
Ready to do all they could to revamp struggling businesses, the Restaurants On The Edge team consisted of design expert Karin Bohn, restaurateur Nick Liberato, and chef Dennis Prescott. Together, the three experts evaluated what was going wrong with each restaurant and what they could do to improve it. The team often took inspiration from the local area, as the eateries featured on the show were located in stunning environments.
Karin often found local artists to create interior design pieces in each Restaurants On The Edge episode. Nick had the joyous job of delivering (usually negative) restaurant reviews to the owners, while Dennis enjoyed tasting new menus. Season 2 featured restaurants from all over the world. The team updated bistros, beach bars, and restaurants in Slovenia, Canada, Finland, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Arizona.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E1: Zmauc, Slovenia
When the Restaurants On The Edge team showed up at the family restaurant Žmauc, they were pretty confused. The group said it didn’t have a restaurant feel and was dated. The outside appearance of the establishment had a street vibe, but the inside was the opposite. After having the restaurant in the family for 23 years, it was safe to say that owners Ksenja and Matjaz wanted to make Žmauc work. They described their restaurant as “like a second child” and wanted it to run well so their son Luka could take it over. Today, the Ljubljana eatery has four and a half out of five stars on Trip Advisor. The restaurant’s Instagram page is also well-maintained.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E2: The Outboard Pub, Okanagan Valley
This Okanagan Valley, Canada pub was run by father and daughter duo Anne and Campbell. It was showcased during season 2, episode 2. The Outboard Pub’s issues became apparent when the team tasted the menu. The owners were buying frozen produce from other countries. Dennis immediately made a point of referencing the establishment’s incredible location. Of course, the pub had some beautiful views on the waterfront. However, the dining experience didn’t live up to the view. Unfortunately, the pub closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E3: Ruissalon Maininki, Finland
Marina and Turo needed help running their restaurant, located a fifteen-minute boat ride from Turku. The decor had not been updated since the previous owners, and the team remarked that it almost felt like a museum. Although the couple was unsure where to take their restaurant, Marina described Ruissalon Maininki as feeling “like home.”
Marketing was an essential element in getting Ruissalon Maininki relaunched. After the show, they added a new boat menu to the restaurant, providing food and drink for four groups wanting to enjoy an evening on the water. Additionally, the marketing images on their Instagram page are enticing, adding to the lasting success of the restaurant.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E4: The Creative Plate Eatery, Canada
Episode 4 saw Karin, Nick, and Dennis head to Ontario, Canada. The chef and owner of The Creative Plate Eatery, Connie, was running all elements of the restaurant, which meant that she was being stretched thin. Drawing inspiration from the area, the team revamped The Creative Plate Eatery. Connie said she was “over the moon” with the reveal. The restaurant seems to be doing well based on their Instagram, with regular posts from Connie, including of a Creative Plate Eatery food truck.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E5: The Aloha Vista Bar & Grill, Hawaii
After buying the restaurant, Siri and Sunny didn’t change any Aloha Vista Bar & Grill elements. The decor was sad, but the couple wanted the place to ooze “Hawaii.” The menu consisted mainly of Italian food, although the eatery looked out onto the Pacific Ocean. With access to some of the best fish on the planet, food expert Dennis wanted to reflect that in the new menu. Siri and Sunny were elated with the restaurant’s makeover; however, it doesn’t seem to be on Trip Advisor or active on Instagram, with only one post since 2019.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E6: Louie & Nacho’s, St Croix
Louie and Nacho’s Beach Bar featured on season 2, episode 6 of the Netflix show. The experts’ minds were opened up to some amazing foods on the original menu, including chicken Parmesan and cheeseburger tacos. The menu was switched up, along with the brown walls and decor. Louie & Nacho’s IG page shows that the beach bar survived the pandemic and is thriving. Monty and Shay’s Beach Bar has four out of five stars on Trip Advisor.
Restaurants on the Edge S2, E7: The Vu Bistro, Arizona
Last but not least, the final episode of season 2 saw the team travel to Arizona. Heidi was emotional as soon as Karin, Dennis, and Nick arrived. She was overwhelmed with the running of her bistro. The menu was refreshed using fresh local ingredients rather than fish and seafood from afar. The restaurant has an Instagram, but most photos are of the surrounding landscape and sunset rather than the food itself. However, there are some photos of guests from 2022.
The restaurant owner even went to a sound healing class to find serenity during the Restaurants On The Edge episode. Vu Bistro has gained three and a half out of five stars on Trip Advisor. However, its reviews aren’t all positive following the Netflix show. While the restaurant has 29 “excellent” ratings, it has 24 rated as “terrible.”
Sources: Trip Advisor, Trip Advisor, Trip Advisor, Trip Advisor, Trip Advisor, Trip Advisor, @vubistro/Instagram, @louieandnachos/Instagram, @alohavistabarand/Instagram, @thecreativeplateeatery/Instagram, @ruissalonmaininki/Instagram, @zmaucbar/Instagram
