Restaurant Revisited: Oleander Bar & Grill by Maria Russo in Shows, October 17th, 2012
For Kelli Truman and Abby Grabow, owners of Oleander Bar & Grill in Olean, N.Y., Robert Irvine’s visit to their restaurant was a much-needed effort to save the business they opened just six months earlier. This mother-daughter duo needed Robert’s help to transform the dark dining room into a comfortable space, rethink their tired menu and improve their strained relationship if Oleander were to have any chance at lasting success. We checked in with Abby a few months after Oleander’s Restaurant: Impossible overhaul to see how the business has been doing since Robert left.
In the first two weeks after the renovation, Oleander saw sales increase nearly 50 percent.
The restaurant’s updated decor has been well received by diners who “love the fresh, clean, modern look of the design,” Abby says. She also notes that “the serious burger, shrimp tempura and crab bisque are the best-selling items that Robert added” to Oleander’s revamped menu.
Though Jaye no longer works at the restaurant, Abby says that “the staff that remains is very loyal and everyone has been working together to rebuild business.”
Looking back on the transformation, Abby admits that “the food costing lesson was perhaps the most beneficial part of this entire experience.” Since Robert left, she has been following “the new inventory system to sell off the majority of the excess bar inventory.”
Abby believes that being on Restaurant: Impossible has helped improve her relationship with her mom, Kelli, who has accepted additional responsibilities at Oleander. “The show taught us that communication is everything,” Abby says, “and that even if the restaurant closed, we are family forever.” She tells us that they are now “are much more effective at compromising and finding a middle ground.”
More From Restaurant Revisited:
Valley Inn (October 10)
Whistle Stop (October 3)
The Maple Tree Cafe (September 26)
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
Oleanders can be unpopular trees in certain situations because of their poisonous sap, invasive nature and root system that's difficult to dig up. You must remove all of the oleander's roots to prevent the plant from sprouting back up again and forming a new tree. Thanks.
In the English language it's very common for words to have more than one meaning. Another definition of Oleander is someone from Olean. Duh. No charge for the English lesson.
Your a F….. Retard
LOL
Do you ever go to Chucky Cheese and ask to speak to Chucky?
Good point!
It's totally ridiculous that I sit and watch the whole show then I am made to get up off my fat ass, go to the computer, dial in to find out how the make-over affected the success of these restaurants!! Just say it at the end of the show. What do you think I'm sitting there for??!! Jeez–so easy, why make such a big and complicated deal about it??!!
Sounds like you need something to get you up off your "fat ass" (your words, not mine). Maybe you should stop watching food shows if it's that draining on your body.
My uncle lives in Olean and I visited the Oleander just before Restaurant Impossible came. When we went we ordered our drink we were told they were sold out (there were only two other people in the restaurant) and then the same thing when we ordered food! My chicken was burnt and I only ate chips.
But now after the transformation my grandfather has gone and said it was wonderful. It is good to have at least one good restaurant in a small town.
Mother should have cut her losses, unfortunately the daughter is over her head in this.
Agree…hope springs eternal.
I feel sorry for Kelli. Her daughter is PWT and needs to keep her legs shut!!! Bad attitude and ugly tats?? That bar must have had serious drink specials to get some guy to hook up with her. Yuck!!!! Cut yoour losses and kick her to the curb!!
You go, Ray!! And God forbid the masses find out that some of the world's best cheddar is made in the neighboring town of Cuba…They'll all think that the Castro regime has invaded the East Coast!!
I would advise anyone viewing comments by Just Curius and Basil to take them with a grain of salt. It is obvious they are both trolls who have something against the owners of the Oleander.
It's obvious to me that Just Curius and Basil are just talking about the name, it doesn't have anything to do with the owners. They seem more interested in seeing the restaurant succeed and are offering an opinion to them. If the owners are professional people, they would listen to possible customers opinions. I think you are reading a little too much into it.
Debco, how do you correlate constructive opinions as an attack on the owners themselves? Anything I have read from Just curius and Basil appears to be geared to the success of the business and future. It appears they are interested in seeing Kelly and Abbey succeed. I think you have a persecution complex.
Wonder if Tim was on shrooms during the taping…lord knows he was everyday in college
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