Restaurant Revisited: The Maple Tree Cafe by Maria Russo in Shows, September 26th, 2012
Rookie restaurant owner Ashley Robertson needed Robert Irvine’s help to successfully run her Las Vegas restaurant, The Maple Tree Cafe. In just two days, Robert tackled poor food quality and disorganized management in order to give The Maple Tree Cafe the transformation it deserved. We checked in with Ashley a few months after the Restaurant: Impossible renovation to see how her restaurant is doing today.
Ashley reports that since Robert left, sales at The Maple Tree Cafe have more than doubled.
The restaurant’s food, she says, “is coming out great,” and she credits a recipe book in the kitchen with ensuring that all dishes are made the same way every time. She says that she has “completely delegated the prep duties to everyone in the kitchen,” and makes sure to “spend time watching plates go out.”
Ashley tells us that she’s still serving the majority of Robert’s menu, and that both the apple fritter and Cuban sandwich have been well received by customers. “Everyone raves about” the Cuban sandwich, she tells us. “It wasn’t something we had ever considered putting on our menu before, but it’s definitely a keeper.”
As for the staff at the restaurant, Ashley says that she’s been pleased with Alex’s work. She also has taken the lead on disciplining and firing a few employees when necessary. “I have changed a lot of my ways of thinking since the show, and I realized that lack of pride and responsibility just can’t be tolerated,” she tells us. She’s hired new employees who are not family members to staff both the front of house and the kitchen.
Today Ashley’s family is not offering as many critiques of her business as before. “I think their eyes were opened a little more to all of the work, stress, business, finance and babysitting that is really involved in the day-to-day,” she explains.
Looking ahead, Ashley is excited about The Maple Tree Cafe’s new venture into catering. In addition to providing boxed in-flight meals for an airline, the restaurant has teamed up with a chain of lounges in Las Vegas to provide food at two of their new locations.
More From Restaurant Revisited:
Michele’s (September 19)
Paliani’s Restaurant (September 12)
Frankie’s (September 5)
Gusanoz (August 29)
Stella’s (August 8)
Italian Village (August 1)
Zandi’s (July 25)
The Main Dish (July 18)
Longbranch Steak and Seafood (July 11)
Horton’s Kids (June 13)
Pollard’s (May 30)
University Grill (May 23)
Ristorante Barolo (May 16)
Pappas (May 9)
Mama Lee’s (May 2)
Pelican Grill (April 25)
Valley View (March 14)
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More posts from Maria Russo.
Tags: Restaurant Impossible
This show is hella scripted! It needs to be cancelled.
Hey, if you don't like the show, then don't watch it.
Just to give you the two cents of someone that was on it.. literally ZERO of that was scripted. I wasnt ever asked to say anything or pretend through anything. There is a LOT that you dont see, fighting, arguments, more tears etc. But I will say for sure, words werent ever put in my mouth
It's a TV show, if you don't like it don't watchit, and don't blog because we don't want to hear it.
I like the show and Chef Irvine, its entertaining and informative. I just wish that more owners would listen to him. I hate to so many of the restaurants he tries to help still fail.
You all are so off the reservation. My wife and I live in Henderson and went in to eat there last Friday morning. It was absolutely delicious. I had the corned beef and she had the California omelette. We also shared a fritter. It was so good, that since we had to go over to that side of town today, we went back for lunch, and had the exact same thing.! It was fantastic all over again. We got to meet Ashley, and she visited with us for over 20 minutes. Beautful young lady and is as nice as she can be. She said she's received calls from people all over the country, encouraging her. She also said that while the huge majority of people have been positive, several locals have been in and been very critical. I can understand that too. Vegas has its fair share of rude people- mostl of them are weirdos and misfits who moved out here becuase they can't get along. Forget them Ashley- you have a sweet little place- please open a location in Green Valley!
You guys were awesome! It made my day to sit and chat with you :) And really, however it is construed on this page, we have had so much support from people like you with a few critics mixed in.
We appreciate you. :)
Just watched the episode tonight. Amazing how they transformed this place. I live in Vegas, and me and my 8 year old will be checking it out soon. By the wat Ashley, you are gorgous!
Hi Ashley, I watched the show and I want to say yours was one of my favorite. You will always get criticism from people everywhere. There is some restaurants people like and some that they dont, dont worry no restaurant is perfect. You are doing a great job!! Keep it up. I am 35 years old and wish I would have done what you did at your age. Owning a business might not be easy but kudos for you! You are young and successful. Dont ever let people put you down. There is mean people out there too. You are doing well in answering to all the comments. It shows you care. I live in Nebraska and believe me If I ever go there I will stop by and visit. Just one thing, make sure you really keep an eye to see if your employees infact do text and stand around. They have to be faster and good customer service does sell even if they sometimes dont like the food as much. God bless you so much!
I appreciate all of the support. Despite what some people have posted, things really are going great for us. Business is up, we have two new locations, a corporate catering business, and I continue to learn every day.
Thank you again!
Who says i need help? I was on the wrong restaurant blog. And i was right, there a some posts from October at the bottom, posts from September at the top, and mixed months in the middle.
They definitely all have sections. I think I only saw myself on the phone one time?? It was funny that came up in the show.. always having to defend myself when I pick up my phone. In todays world, everything is on a cell phone.. I send business emails, do my food order etc etc. not always just chatting with friends
Ashley, I would come to your restaurant just to try the apple fritters, they looked delish…I wish I lived closer if I am ever your way I would definately stop in.
I wish you the best of luck and success with your restaurant.
Thank you! If you ever make it to Vegas be sure to stop in and say hi!
Hey Ashley, since you are on this board……anyway to ship those apple fritters across the country and keep them fresh? Man those looked good. Best of luck. If you can make it through this economy you should do quite nicely in the future.
People keep asking about them! I should probably look into it. I just dont want to start something that might get out of control. I know shipping food is a whole new ball game.
Thank you for the well wishes :)
I'll put them on my Hotel breakfast table!!! :)
I think that's a wonderful idea. Would also help liven up the show and perhaps bring in newer viewers.
Hey, Ashley! If your business takes off in the supreme, have you ever considered opening a branch of Maple Tree Cafe in Lansing, Michigan? I am sure people would love it! I would certainly advocate it, and maybe any other people who are from Michigan on here would too!
Thanks Ellen :) I think we are done expanding for now.. I am doin my best to keep up with the 3 places we have here plus catering. I appreciate the support though!