Programmes Opening Soon Series 2

1 - Vancouver- Sanafir

In Vancouver, Emad Yacoud is trying to create a hideaway as sexy as Ali Babba's cave and glamorous enough for rock stars. Inspired by the ancient spice route, his resto-lounge takes its name from the ancient Red Sea Port on the Egypt Sinai Penninsula and will feature the cuisines of the three spice roads civilizations-Far East, Middle East and Mediterranean. But the Egyptian born Yacoub has chosen one of Vancouver's worst neighbourhoods and has invested other people's money. It's an all or nothing gamble
Duration: 30

2 - Philadelphia -Waterworks

The Fairmont Waterworks in Philadelphia is one of North America's finest examples of neo-classical architecture. When it was decommissioned in the early part of the 20th Century, it felt into disrepair and attempts to revive it for other uses have failed. Some say the historic site is cursed. But Michael Karloutsos, who's Greek immigrant grandfather opened a diner in New York when he came to America, says it's his destiny to open a greek revival haute cuisine restaurant there. But the former political organizer is plagued by floods and a near fatal car accident.
Duration: 30

3 - Boston LTK

The name Legal Seafoods is synonymous with Boston. It's been an institution since 1903, when Roger Berkowitz's grandfather opened his grocery and fish market. Over the years, Legal's has grown and grown, there are now nearly 30 restaurants throughout New England. But Roger, who's been at the helm of the family business since the early 80s, knows he can't rest on his laurels and wants to attract a younger clientele. LTK, or Legal Test Kitchen, is a huge experiment that risks jeopardizing his dynasty.
Duration: 30

4 - Toronto-Milagro

The United Nations considers Toronto the most diverse city in the world. But two brothers from Mexico City are appalled by the state of Mexican food there. They want to open the first high end Mexican restaurant in Canada, featuring tapas style appetizers, but they quickly discover that nothing happens the way it did back home in Mexico!!!
Duration: 30

5 - Toronto-Sopra

Massimo Capra and Paolo Paulini are big shots on the Toronto dining scene. Their restaurant, Mistura, is a starched-linen establishment dining room serving up rich southern Italian fare. But Paolo is restless and thinks his clientele is as well. And "Sopra" at a cost of $1.4 million is to be the jazz and tapas lounge upstairs that will keep their business viable. But nothing goes as it should.
Duration: 30

6 - Squamish-Burrow Lounge

Squamish, British Columbia is the next boomtown on the west coast. It's half way between Vancouver and Whistler. The area will be hosting The Olympics in 2010 and until now, there's no decent place to eat in town. But two gals and their guys from Whistler who've spent the last ten years partying and skiing decide they're the ones to change things. They think opening a sexy lounge will be easy as pie, but they have no idea what they are in for
Duration: 30

7 - LA-Sunset

An ambitious investment banker decides to become a restaurateur. As a Columbian immigrant, he's always believed in the American dream. He's worked hard and so far he's succeeded. But Sunset is a whole different game. As the budget spirals, his director of operations takes off to Thailand and never returns. A second one is hired but they part ways. Now it's up to the third to make it work. Sunset is supposed to be a restaurant theme park, blending Disneyland with the beach on one level, fine dining above. It may all be too ambitious.
Duration: 30

8 - San Francisco-The Salt House

An ancient print-shop building, a neighbourhood on the cusp of wealth, and three charismatic business partners. Two years ago, Mitch and Stevie Rosenthal and their friend Doug Washington took San Francisco by storm when they opened Town Hall, a restaurant specializing in high-end American food. Now, they're putting everything on the line, and opening a new place with their own money. They want Salt House to be a tavern serving well-made, simple food. But first, they have to rescue a decrepit 100-year-old building in San Francisco's Soma district.
Duration: 30

9 - Toronto-Trevor's Kitchen and Bar

There's a time and a place to take a risk, but Trevor Wilkinson may have picked the wrong one. Tired of working in other people's kitchen, he mortgages his house and gambles on a dark and dirty space in downtown Toronto for his "anti establishment" dining room and bar. He and his wife have a toddler and another on the way. They've risked it all and have nothing to fall back on.
Duration: 30

10 - Illinois-Mason's Martini and Grill

A straight-laced real estate agent and his young wife have no experience in the restaurant business. They hook up with two women who are partners in a deli and in life. The odd foursome hatch the idea of a gourmet martini bar and grill in a small town. At every step in the way, the difference in their values create a fiery path and comic path to Opening night.
Duration: 30

11 - Toronto- Quince

A chef-duo couple's marriage nearly dissolves in their former restaurant, but after a year out, they decide to open a larger restaurant because it is all they know. They make a deal to stay out of each other's way & she'll only do deserts. But he can't stop butting in and she's forced to tape a line down the centre of the kitchen top keep the peace.
Duration: 30

12 - Toronto Globe Bistro

Ed Ho hasn't worked in the restaurant industry since college. Despite his lack of experience, he quits his lucrative job in banking to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a restaurant. He takes over a cavernous space that was the site of an expensive failure, and hires a chef who's never run his own show before. But he finds out his enthusiasm isn't enough.
Duration: 30

13 - LA-Larkin's

One’s a hair stylist; the other is a recent graduate from cooking school. They decide to open a soul food restaurant in suburban Los Angeles to keep their relationship alive. But they are in over their heads. They've never run a business, and weeks before opening they run out of money and are burning everything in the kitchen.
Duration: 30