Exclusive: Food Network Star Talks with Patch
Robert Irvine of the Food Network sat down with Patch to talk about saving Ristorante Barolo on "Restaurant: Impossible."
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Since late 2011, Robert Irvine has made a habit of coming to Santa Cruz County.
First, he transformed Hoffman's in Downtown Santa Cruz on his show "Restaurant: Impossible." Now he's back, this time in Aptos to do a number on Ristorante Barolo, the Italian eatery on the bottom floor of the Bayview Hotel on Soquel Drive.
Filming began Wednesday morning, and Irvine took time away from shooting to sit down with Patch and talk about his return trip and the restoration project that will end Thursday evening with a grand re-opening.
Check out the video of our conversation above, and stay tuned to Patch for further coverage of this historic restaurant's planned comeback.
Are you going to the re-opening like we are? Are you excited to see the restaurant get some help? Tell us in the comments!
Beverly Young
6:53 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
All I can say is "Good luck"
Peking
9:42 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I love Irvine's answer to the question about what keeps him and Food Network coming back to Santa Cruz County: "The bad restaurants." Well, duh. Shall we all make a list of more?
itsmecissy
10:47 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I've never cared for the show "Restaurant Impossible" or Robert Irvine - maybe because I loathe reality shows - but this interview was a mind changer. He seemed like a calm, reasonable, human being instead of the raving, controlling maniac he becomes on the show (bet he makes a lot of people cry; imagine being one of his crew!) Since he said he likes to visit Santa Cruz County for the "bad restaurants" (meant in a good way), I was intrigued by his statement that eating at El Jardin in Santa Cruz was "pretty awesome." That's some fairly high praise from one tough cookie.
Jacob Bourne
12:46 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I have to say he was totally warm and welcoming. Very friendly. And I've never been to El Jardin, but I definitely want to go now. Has anyone been? Is it as good as advertised?
Peking
1:10 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Advertised by whom?
Pam Marino
1:18 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Very exciting. Love Robert and the show. Looking forward to watching how he transforms Ristorante Barolo.
Jacob Bourne
1:35 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Peking, I meant does anyone give it the same stellar review that Robert did.
Brad Kava
4:17 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
We have so many great restaurants here too. Off the top of my head: Lillian's, Omei, Cilantro and its kin Palomar and La Mission, Gabriella's, Cafe Rio, Charlie Hong Kong (laugh, but the NY Times profiled it and it's great for what it does), Sushi Garden..so many more.
Manuel Rangel
12:53 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
El Jardin, an amazing restaurant. Great fajitas, excellent chile verde. Great service, beautiful ambiance.
Jennifer Squires
9:07 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Manuel, we went there yesterday for lunch and were blown away. Robert was right! I especially loved the homemade tortilla chips.
margaret Anderson
5:35 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
I worked there as a teenager and remember the great food. Basic good food. Vegetable garden behind hotel. Home made pies daily. Had to inform customers of between 5 - 8 different pies all made in that kitchen daily. All fresh food. The lines were out the door into the parking lot on Sundays all day until closing. That was when the Tony family owned the hotel. It did not get much better than that. Good times.