Season 2 Restaurants - HOMEdelete

Umi restaurant is one of Atlanta’s premier sushi restaurants offering the freshest of fish flown in from the waters of Japan. The sleek and stylish square-shaped dining room is punctuated by a long chef’s table where master sushi chefs prepare sushi and sashimi to a packed crowd. It is the perfect setting to interview Sara Blakely, the Inventor and Founder of Spanx who loves to eat here. In Episode One of To Dine For: Season TWO, Sara shares how she was able to take a simple idea and $5,000 and create a fashion revolution and become the youngest female self-made Billionaire. Her fervent work ethic and her attention to detail mirror Chef Ito’s passion for the customer’s happiness and superior service. His story and her story are both true American dream stories.

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It’s the “garlic noodles”! When asked “What is the secret to the success of Crustacean?” Elizabeth Ahn was quick to point out that their grandmother’s attempt at Asian fusion set the course of success for this family. Considered the first documented example of “fusion cooking” in America, this family of Vietnamese women created a food empire with their famous garlic noodles at Thanh Long in San Francisco. From humble beginnings in an old deli in San Francisco to now one of the most glamorous restaurants in Beverly Hills, Crustacean is a scene stealer. “Crazy Rich Asians” Author Kevin Kwan chose this restaurant as his absolute favorite not only for the to die for noodles but for this dynamic story of Asian immigrant success. In fact, this episode showcases two Asian immigrant success stories…including that of Kevin Kwan.

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With a career that spans decades, Philadelphia-born acclaimed Chef Marc Vetri has been recognized many times over by the James Beard Foundation and honored with Michelin stars for his innovative Italian cuisine. In an old townhouse in Philadelphia, diners are invited in to what feels like a “home” to have some of the most delicious Italian flavors topped with a service that is unparalleled. Director and Writer M. Night Shyamalan chose this restaurant for Vetri’s impeccable attention to detail and the symphony of actions that have to happen for a meal to be a standout. Over impeccably prepared “swiss chard gnocchi”, Night shares the roots of his creativity and how he so effortlessly manages to scare the living daylights out of his viewers with his signature style of directing. His POV is a unique one as is Chef Vetri’s.

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In 1994, Jay Wanserski created the bar and restaurant of his dreams. A place where everyone knows your name and your order. A place for Badger fans from the University of Wisconsin to gather over their famous “cheese curds” and a Spotted Cow beer and cheer on their team. It is here that we meet Wisconsin alum Jake Wood for burgers and beer and of course cheese curds. Jake shares his journey from college athlete to Marine to Veteran to Veteran’s advocate to Humanitarian. Jake created Team Rubicon – a non-profit organization that provides relief and assistance in times of natural disaster. Every year around the world, Jake’s team deploys thousands of Veterans to do what they do best: help, serve, lead and make a difference. By harnessing one of our countries greatest resources, Wood gives Veterans a purpose and a plan…and gives our country much needed help when they need it most.

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Oxtail. Jerk Chicken. Plantains. With a kitschy and relaxed vibe, Miss Lily’s transports diners to the heart of Kingston, Jamaica even though it is located in bustling Manhattan. Over the distinctive flavors of the Caribbean island, Chef Andre Fowles hopes to capture the imagination of restaurant goers with his flavorful favorites like coconut rice and escavitsch. It is here that Playwright Katori Hall shares her journey to create characters that are bold. Nuanced. And have a story to tell. This is also true of Miss Lily’s where you feel like you are in a colorful diner in the front of the house and a swanky speakeasy in the back of the house.

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Before “farm to table” was a movement, Jean Georges Vongreichten opened up a casual neighborhood restaurant where the fresh fruit and vegetables stole the show. Now, ten years later ABC Kitchen is still one of the most successful restaurants in NYC and leading the innovation in the organic farm-to-table movement. Over a simple soup and salad, famed author and mindfulness expert Deepak Chopra shares why this is his favorite restaurant in the world. He also details his journey to become one of the leading voices in meditation and mindfulness. In this episode, the connection between food and where it comes from becomes key to understanding more about the connection between mind, body and spirit.

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On the main street in Golden, Colorado is a brightly colored home that is inspired by the Sherpa culture and cuisine. It is called The Sherpa House. Nepalese-born Lhakpa Sherpa brought the complex flavors of the Himalayan mountains to the Colorado palette with his Sherpa inspired restaurant. The Sherpa people have a rich history of helping travelers navigate Mount Everest serving as “guides” for their climb and exploration. Over Saag Paneer and Mango Lassis, Erik Weihenmayer shares his favorite restaurant in the country and tells the incredible story of becoming the first blind person to summit Mount Everest. His gratitude and appreciation for the Sherpa people is made evident in his story and restaurant choice. He then goes on to share how he has committed his life to helping people of all backgrounds and abilities live a life with “No Barriers.”

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About an hour outside of Denver, Hacienda Colorado serves seriously delicious and comforting Mexican flavors with a cuisine they call “Mountain Mex”. Sizzling fajitas and table-side guacamole are just the beginning at this sprawling and lively Mexican restaurant where great customer service is on full display. 13 year old Inventor Gitanjali Rao chose this as her absolute favorite restaurant because of the delicious cheese enchiladas and because this is where her family comes to celebrate big milestones in life like a great report card! Gitanjali invented a device called Tethys that attempts to tackle a humanitarian crisis when she was just 9 years old. Over chips and guacamole and some incredible “Mountain Mex”, Gitanjali shares her blueprint to tackle real-world problems using the scientific method, a lot of persistence and a heart for helping.

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The Vilkhu family moved to New Orleans knowing no one and after years of working a local catering business, they have opened one of the hottest new restaurants in New Orleans: Saffron. In a sleek and stylish setting, Saffron offers stunningly delicious Indian fare with an unparalleled level of hospitality. The father’s to die for “gumbo” is just the beginning of the Saffron experience. This is the favorite spot of New Orleans artist Ashley Longshore. Over transcendent chicken tindalya and oysters Rockefeller, Ashley shares her journey from self-taught artist to cultural phenom and entrepreneur. Her fun, joyful, pop-art has been compared to Andy Warhol but as you’ll see it’s her take on life, creativity and business that’s the main entrée of this fascinating and fun dining experience.

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For two decades, the Snake River Grille has been one of the premier dining destinations in the middle of the breathtaking Teton Mountains in Jackson, Wyoming. Amidst a crackling fire, a warm and professional staff serve up “Minute steaks” and steak tartare pizza with a consistency of excellence that is often hard to achieve. Founder of TOMS Blake Mycoskie shares why this is his favorite restaurant and how his tremendous life of entrepreneurship has unfolded. From a serial entrepreneur to one of the greatest “social entrepreneurs” of our time, Blake shares the TOMS story, the advice he gives young entrepreneurs just starting out….and the project that is feeding his soul.

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