Restaurant Revisited: Windseeker Restaurant by Maria Russo in Shows, January 16th, 2013
For Windseeker Restaurant in The Dalles, Ore., the problems went beyond a tired dining room and lackluster food. They had been battling negative press for years, and owner Veta Bingman and general manager Patty Taylor faced a constant struggle to attract customers to their out-of-the-way location, despite the breathtaking river views that surround them. In just two days and with a $10,000 budget, Robert Irvine and his Restaurant: Impossible team transformed the eatery into a sophisticated space complete with a high-quality menu that would improve Windseeker’s local reputation. We checked in with Patty a few months after Robert left to find out how the restaurant is doing today.
Comparing year-over-year numbers, Patty says that “Business is up by $30,000″ following the renovation, and she adds that the cost of food and wages has increased as well. Since their Restaurant: Impossible experience, the staff has not borrowed money from the restaurant.
Veta has allowed Patty to run the restaurant within her role as general manager, which recently has become more important than ever, as Veta has been in and out of the hospital. Patty is no longer bartending or cooking lunch, but she continues to be a front-of-house server and has also taken on the responsibility of ordering supplies for the restaurant. Despite these demands, Patty tells us that she was able to take a vacation in October.
More From Restaurant Revisited:
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.
Tags: Restaurant Impossible
Its a figure of speech, stop being so sensitive. "Boycott the show", over that??? I'm so sick of people being "offended" by everything.
Barry! Awesome burn!
Tony.. You hit the nail on the head!
Very intelligent comment. Good for you.
get a life! This is America! Land of free speech!
Yes, we commented Amy, because you are ridiculous and i agree with Tony about people being offended over nothing!!!! Grow up!
Yes, REALLY, because that is exactly what was written.
Ok, and that's your opinion. Childish, but your opinion. I'll thank my currently deployed active military husband for you for your right to express that opinion. And all I did was express mine, and have been personally attacked for HOURS. Really? You people are crazy.
Very intelligent name btw. Really really clever. Boy, you really showed me…
I'm not hiding behind anything. Shame on YOU for being judgemental in the first place.
I'm not hiding behind anything. Unlike you people who obviously do not know how to show any kind of respect or carry on an intelligent discussion without personal attacks, I have great respect for my husband. Shame on YOU for being judgemental.
Just to be clear, I need therapy for having an opinion or for defending myself again personal attacks that have nothing to do with that opinion? I was just wanting your proffessional opinion to let my therapist know.
Did you??
It seems to me that Amy just likes to argue and create havoc..Why do you keep responding to all these comments and keep it going..of course people are going to remark on your pretty harsh comment..and it is just a figure of speech..sorry but I put more stock and care into human beings and their feelings because they're able to understand..your dogs have no clue and I'm sure no one formed an opinion on pittbulls because of it..REALLY!! just saying nicely
if you're going to comment back on all ignorant things said here you'd just be talking to yourself all day….
See? You're ignorant so I'm commenting back…see how this works?
I agree with Shadlle
You are hiding behind your rabid pit bulls!
Not according to the administrator. LOL. Not that I blame him.
I think that Patty is trying to get Veta to give HER the restaurant instead of the daughter. IMO, Patty is taking advantage.
If anything, I think Veta was taking advantage of Patty and her desire to help.
Enough of your nonsense Amy, just shut it already.
I defintely think Patty is up to something.
Get over yourself!!! Did you get your wittle feelings hurt??
Do you own an American Pitbull Terrier? Probably not because if so you would understand the offense of what was said. And again I will say, don't like my comment oh well. Get over it.
I do not owns pit bull, I own something much nicer: a wolverine!
Seems as if they are doing well
Thanks for the update at your site!
I actually was a little concerned with this particular show. Do any of these owners have their books audited? How do they know if they are being ripped off by their managers if they do not? I just found it odd that the daughter seemed to be able to do nothing but the outside work, and was not entitled to know nothing about the operations of this restaurant when she will be the future owner someday. Maybe she did mess up but I would expect a court battle over this restaurant one day when Veta is gone unless she has made a will. Patty just seemed a little too eager to have full control with no oversight. Any smart owner with a manager that takes care of everything needs audits! It's simply smart business.
Very good point
Neither I nor my owner were offended. Food looks good…YUM. Signed Luna the Pitbull. P.S. I thought she looked more like a Great Dane.
That's funny!! She did look like a Great Dane!
The "Pitbull" comment is not in any way denigrating. Like many words in the English Language, as it has circulated in the "National dialogue," it takes on a different meaning. The term "Pit Bull" or "Bull Dog" is now meant to be "Aggressive, determined, focused", not unlike "focused like a laser." I am a songwriter, and we constantly have to adapt to changing meanings to words and phrases used. Now, you don;t hear many songs using the term "everything's happy and gay…" because it has a totally different meaning now. That is what I took away from the "Pit bull" comments. The show is great, and like many of you, it would be cool to find out the current relationship between Mother and Daughter. Everything else seemed to work well.
Not really. I have an American Pitbull and did not find any comment offensive. Anyone so sensitive and easily offended should not watch TV. Although I also love my dog, I do not lull myself into a place where I believe she may never do anything wrong. She has already proven me wrong.
How is being protective of my breed's perspective being overly sensitive exactly?? As a Pitbull owner you over anyone else should know about the stereotypes and how comments like that can be very damaging to the breed.
I'm an owner too. While I applaud your passion, you're coming across as the "crazy dog lady".
Wow, very intelligent. Good for you.
I am guessing (maybe wrongly) that the employee who had $38 THOUSAND in loans was the daughter that was doing the yard work for free? Yeah, I think the IRS will be all over that.
I loved what they did with the restaurant and I will copy the honey mustard chicken dish!
yeah your way off!!! nice assumption though.
BULL SHIT IDIOT