Restaurant Revisited: Sapori D’Italia by Maria Russo in Shows, January 23rd, 2013
In addition to his expected mission of renovating the interior and designing a crowd-pleasing menu at Sapori D’Italia in Fountain Hills, Ariz., Robert Irvine faced the challenge of mending a broken family. Together with their sons David and Jonathan, owners Gasper and Maria Manno used to spend much of their time at the restaurant arguing, something that was downright disruptive to customers trying to enjoy a meal. After working with the family to discuss their issues with the restaurant and each other and spending $10,000 on renovations, Robert and his Restaurant: Impossible team reopened the doors to Sapori in only two days. Today, the restaurant is a comfortable eatery with a made-over menu of full-flavored Italian classics to match. Read on below for an exclusive interview with Gasper to find out how Sapori is doing today.
Immediately following filming, Sapori’s revenue shot up nearly $8,000 per week for the first three weeks. Things have settled down a bit since then, with the weekly increase averaging a respectable “$2,000 more than the same time last year,” according to Gasper.
Returning customers have been impressed with the changes at Sapori, and Gasper adds that there have been “lots of new faces” coming by for the first time.
Robert’s new menu items have been high sellers and well-received by customers. The restaurant has incorporated his cucumber salad, marinated beef and chicken osso buco into their regular list of offerings, but instead of serving the osso buco with polenta as Robert did, Gasper swapped in mushroom risotto.
While Gasper is still striving for perfection with his servers, he admits that they’re “not so bad” after all. Chan continues to work at Sapori and is “doing great,” according to Gasper. David and Jonathan are working at the restaurant, too, with David managing front-of-house operations. “Now they want to be here,” Gasper says of his sons. “The family is doing much better.”
To Gasper, one of the most important outcomes of the transformation has been “having my family back working together.” Maria, “works very hard,” Gasper notes, adding that as a couple, they “are doing much better” since the renovation. Customers, too, have noticed a change in the staff’s demeanor at Sapori, as Gasper notes, “The guests have told me many times that they are also very happy to see the whole family working together.”
To Robert and his Restaurant: Impossible crew, Gasper says, “A very sincere thank you to the entire team that showed me the light at the end of the tunnel.”
More From Restaurant Revisited:
Windseeker Restaurant (January 16)
Whiskey Creek Steakhouse (January 2)
Rising Sun Bistro (December 19)
Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri (December 9)
Bronk’s Bar and Grill (December 5)
Rohrer’s Tavern (November 28)
Poco’s on the Boulevard (November 21)
Oleander Bar and Grill (October 17)
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)
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More posts from Maria Russo.
I agree that the bar was questionable. The gold color looked too cheap 70's. The place did have a grotto feel and neede a facelift.What I mostly disliked were the paint choices. There were too many. (The lime green was quite unattractive with the warmer sage green.)
I absolutely love this show. Robert Irvine has a very distinct way with people. I find that in every case, the ultimate solution stems from solving relationship issues. Once Robert gets the relationships and attitudes in line, the success of the restaurant follows.
Wow, I don't usually like the redo's, they are all soo generic and void of personality but this one really was a disaster. The place went from warm and sophisticate to cheap and plastic. That bar was just awful as was the colors they used. Most of these places will be out of date in two years. Very sad.
My thoughts exactly! So generic now. All the luxurious, warm, italian feel is gone.
I believe in Karma. If the good is sown, the good is collected. This family has heart, soul and love to succeed and that my friend is not sad at all. It is impossible to build one's happiness on the unhappiness of others.
I watch all the shows&tonight, I thought this was a great one. the before restaurant I thought was old world and neat with the stones however I thought they did great bringing out the brightness,the classy effects and it looked clean and inviting. job well done. The family u could tell was very much a loving family full of emotion from trying to survive.
I agree by far one of the best shows
Some parts of the renovation were nice, but I thought too much of the stone was removed. The lighting helped brighten it, but I think the stone worked better at the bar. It was a little more homey before. The family turn around was dramatic and I was happy they were able to get on the same page. Overall, this was a decent episode. Not a five star, but worth seeing.
Robert is not an Aussie, he's Scottish!
I usually don't watch the show but I loved today show! Talk about trying to save a dream! I really hope their restaurant is a huge success! If I'm ever in Arizona I'll definitely stop there!
What a great episode! For all of you commenting on the crying get a life. This family was at the end of their rope and showed genuine feelings unlike most of the scripted and reality crap on t.v.. Their financial burden was more than I've ever seen on RI. And they managed to stick together unlike most families/marriages. Kudos to them. The redo was great…looked bright, open and airy. Not heavy like it was before. If I were them I would create an awesome Happy Hour with Beer and Pizza Specials maybe even incorporate a live act like a guitar player. They could do wedding receptions and corporate events as well to bring in extra income. If I'm ever in their area I'm coming for dinner. Good Luck Sapori D'Italia!
I live in fountain hills, and went to this restaurant twice, each time it was a disappointment. I said I would never go back, I will try it once more and hope it has been transformed. I wish this family the best!
If I lved nearby, I would have a party there. The new restaurant looks wonderful and they also show an outdoor patio. I wish them much success. I wonder if delivery of pizzas would add to revenue for this restaurant?
Good episode. Hope the family can pull it together to can keep their restaurant. I did like the stone bar better and there was a lot of crying. At least I had some eye candy with jonathan :)