Plot Synopsis

Based on RAMSAY'S BEST RESTAURANT and hosted by Tom Colicchio, BEST NEW RESTAURANT features 16 restaurateurs who endure a grueling series of tests while avoiding elimination, as they vie for the grand prize of $100,000. In the opening round of the competition, two same-themed restaurants compete against each other as Tom tests the restaurants' food and service to a breaking point, testing their overall performance, the strength of their staff, and the clarity of their concept. First, the restaurants are subjected to a Pressure Test, in which 30 hungry diners descend on the restaurants without notice to see how the businesses handle the stress of a packed house. Next, Tom sends in two undercover diners wired with hidden cameras in order to get a patron's perspective when the restaurants do not know they are being judged. Finally, the two paired-up restaurants come together in a neutral location and serve dinner for 30 VIP diners. At the end of each of the first eight episodes, Tom declares one restaurant the victor, and the establishments move on to the semifinals. The semifinal rounds feature the restaurants battling in two groups to open a pop-up restaurant based around what the eateries see as the next evolution of their current concepts. The grand finale pits the final two restaurants against each other in a head-to-head contest to put forward their best service possible for a group of 50 VIP diners at Tom's restaurant Riverpark in New York City. In the end, only one eatery is crowned Best New Restaurant, winning an editorial feature in "Bon Appetit," a featured spot at Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit 2015, and $100,000. The 16 restaurants -- which hail from four cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Austin and Miami -- are: Shared Plates (The Federal; Swift's Attic); Italian Cuisine (Dolce Italian; Doma Beverly Hills); New Service Concepts (The Church Key; Restaurant Jezebel); Operated by Couples (R House; Barlata Tapas Bar); Battle of the Burger (Porter Ale House and Gastropub; Tongue & Cheek); European Inspired (L'Apicio; Little Sparrow); Fast Casual Dining (Morgan's Barbecue; Buns & Buns); and Seasonal Menus (Union Restaurant; The Pines). Gordon Ramsay and Colicchio are executive producers of BEST NEW RESTAURANT.
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Bravo premiered the season finale of BEST NEW RESTAURANT on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT. In the season ender, the last two restaurants -- L'Apicio and Dolce Italian -- face off. Both establishments battle at Tom Colicchio's restaurant and serve their best four-course meals. In the end, one restaurant will win the title of Best New Restaurant.