This week, I’d like to share with you a restaurant review that I did for the Catholic Review, the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s paper, for Catholic news and culture.  It’s about a local restaurant that was featured on the Food Network’s hit show, “Restaurant Impossible,” with master chef, Robert Irvine.  I love this show because it reflects the pain but also the power of “conversion” by showing to the failing restaurant owners the “sins” in the restaurant industry, while giving them hope through a transformation process.  You can see the food and Faith analogy very clearly.  Enjoy this faithful foodie adventure and culinary confession.

Culinary Confession – Zandi’s Grill

Conversion – in Faith or in the food business – transforms us inside and out.  That’s what Zandi’s Grill in Millersville, MD, experienced.  Located near my new assignment, but obscured in the back of a business plaza, Zandi’s once-failing restaurant received an extreme makeover by Food Network’s muscled, meaningfully meal-minded superstar-chef, Robert Irvine, in his hit show “Restaurant Impossible.” He transformed the restaurant and its owners, with just $10,000 and 48 hours.  It’s rather dramatic seeing how the change of heart is often more difficult than physical changes of the space.  But both are needed in a true conversion.

Zandi’s has about 15 tabletops and a bar area that seats about 12 people.  Bright colors, modern fixtures, and a signature eye-catching wall design create a whimsical place for breakfast or lunch – the only meals served there.  The layout restricts groups or large families, but it’s ideal for singles or couples.

Even if you go to a restaurant for your monthly date night as my new book suggests, you can still take the information and questions with you and have a fruitful and faithful discussion about marriage.

Steadfast time slots for breakfast and lunch restricts the menu choices.  Brunch is not an option, and this presented challenges in evaluating their food.  I was just too late to get an omelet!  Disappointing – especially since an omelet, featured on the show, is easy to make (but also easy to mess up).  The polite waitress apologetically explained how the kitchen was too busy, even though the restaurant was only half-filled when I arrived.

Zandi’s crab cake appetizers – quite delicious and moist.

The dishes I ordered were well-prepared and flavorful, even if the signature burger (bacon and blue cheese with a fried egg) was overcooked, not medium-rare as I requested. Hand-cut fries, a flavored aioli, creamy crab cake appetizers seared on a griddle, and the tilapia sliders were tasty and appropriately priced.  However, it took 30 minutes to arrive!  The milkshake, also featured on the show, was typical but a sweet ending.

My new book even has desserts! So order your copy today.

My biggest concern was the slow service.  While the solo waitress and one of the owners were polite and friendly, they seemed frazzled and unprepared – not an uncommon experience according to online reviews.  It is obvious that they need more staff – especially since the Food Network show gave them much-needed exposure and a boost for success, i.e., busyness! The show revealed how the owners lacked passion in their approach before the renovation.  My experience at Zandi’s indicated an ongoing need for conversion in this area. But it’s understandable, since a conversion of heart and a change of old ways don’t happen in just 48 hours, but a lifetime.

Fr. Leo signing the Grace Before Meals apron – a reminder of the responsibility to serve, as Christ put on an apron on the night of the Last Supper, served the meal, and washed the disciples’ feet. To order your apron, click here.

I enjoyed visiting Zandi’s, especially since I’m a fan of Chef Irvine’s show.  I wish them well.  But this experience reminded me that conversion doesn’t come instantly.  Like this restaurant, our Faith communities need to be ready to serve the hungry crowds.  If we aren’t ready, they will go elsewhere.  And, if our churches aren’t packed on Sundays – like a good restaurant – then perhaps we may need ongoing conversion ourselves: a transformation inside and out.  And Zandi’s proves it is possible.

The best way for ongoing conversion to happen is through the regular practice of going to confession.

Check out this video of a parish in North Carolina – where my friend is the pastor, and check out how a transformed church has resulted in a vibrant and packed church every Sunday!  Click Here.  

• Do you like the show “Restaurant Impossible?” Why or why not?
• Have you been able to apply Chef Irvine’s message about the need to change your own life?  And if you had money and time to transform something failing in your life, what would it be?

Are there any restaurants that you would like to review? Please post your comments to give our members your unique insights – these help us all!  Post your comments below! 

 

A slight change of the environment, such as putting crab cake balls in a martini glass, elevates the simple crab cake into a glamorous meal. Maybe a change like that can do the same for our lives as it does for our meals.

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH

St. Anastasia Parish, Troy, MI

CONTACT: rsimony@stanastasia.org (248) 689-7192

• Religious education Kick-Off fall family gathering!  This is a multi-generational event that involves 1st through 8th graders, their parents, and anyone else who would like to join!
• The event focuses on growing together in Christ, attending weekly Mass as a family and eating together as a family.  A family that prays together stays together!  By the time the event ends, you’ll be excited, touched, and inspired to better serve our Lord and to live out the vocation of a Christian family.
• Fr. Leo will be presenting on these event topics and will also be doing a cooking demonstration and will also be there for a book signing.
• There will also be a family activity to help families grow even closer.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 10700 Aboite Wayne International Airport

CONTACT: frjshafer@seasfw.org

• Fr. Leo will be giving three presentations and will concelebrate masses.  He will present particularly on beating the fast food mentality and on the importance of spending time with family.