Not being into reality television, The Restaurant was a surprise for me.
It follows the culinary (and sometimes obviously staged) adventures of Chef Rocco DiSpirito as he attempts to open an Italian American restaurant in the Flatiron section of Manhattan in the early 2000s.
There's some great cameos featured in the series, among them legendary chef and author Anthony Bourdain who lays down the law in one episode how great food is not enough for chefs these days.
Chef Massimiliano "Red" Bartoli makes an appearance as well as Rocco's possible replacement when he proves he truly can cook Southern Italian cuisine.
The cast are a colorful collection of characters, aspiring comedian Pete Giovine, Gideon Horowitz, Lonn Coward and Topher Goodman being among some favorites. There was a sweet romance that blossomed between a waitress, Heather Kristen, and a line cook, Perry, that could have been further explored in the series.
If there's a reality series (so-called) that deserves a reboot it's The Restaurant! Though one of the reasons the restaurant didn't succeed is Rocco seemed more focused on being a celebrity chef than being an actual chef.
Reboot The Restaurant Hollywood! Huzzah!