Bistro gets 'Impossible' treatment
<p>Chef Robert Irvine and the crew of Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” are taking over Heather’s Country Kitchen in Plains Tuesday and Wednesday for a rapid remodeling and improvement project.</p>
The Daily Inter Lake
The Rising Sun Bistro in Kalispell is going through a two-day makeover next week.
The Kalispell restaurant will become the first restaurant in Montana to star in Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible.”
Chef Robert Irvine and crew arrive Wednesday to help turn things around for the restaurant, which has had problems since it moved from Whitefish to its current location at 25 Second Ave. W.
“Restaurant Impossible” gives a restaurant a chance at new life with a two-day process that starts with a thorough analysis of the problems by Irvine.
He then leads a team in tearing apart and reconstructing the decor, the menu and sometimes the staff. Making things even more challenging is the fact that the task has to be accomplished with only $10,000.
The process culminates in a grand reopening dinner on Thursday starting at 7 p.m.The general public is invited to be part of the dining experience and can make reservations at 755-7510.
Rising Sun personnel are not allowed to speak to the media before the renovation, but “Restaurant Impossible” has identified Rising Sun Bistro as a “struggling restaurant,” associate producer Nicholas Smalarz said.
“One of the big issues is their location,” he said. “They moved from an area that is very touristy [Whitefish] to an area that is more business-oriented. And there are three owners. There’s a lot that happens when there are three owners.
“They are a restaurant that needs a rebirth.”
Smalarz said Irvine and the staff of “Restaurant Impossible,” which airs Wednesday nights and is one of the most popular shows on the Food Network, are looking forward to being in Montana.
Spectators are urged to stay away from the restaurant while the renovation is taking place Wednesday and Thursday.
However, the Food Network is looking for volunteers to help with construction. Volunteers would need to be on the set by about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Email Ally Grant at agrant@shootersinc.com to reserve a spot on the crew.