[2][3][4] Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito opened the Gramercy Park, New York City, restaurant Union Pacific in August 1997.

[5] The NBC series, it was announced, would follow DiSpirito as he launched and operated a new Manhattan Italian American restaurant.

[8] Some 7.5 million viewers tuned in for the July 20, 2003, premiere focusing on the search for a location and construction work for the new restaurant.

In addition to Rocco's mother, Nicolina DiSpirito, known for her famous meatballs,[6] the show's on-camera personnel included David Miller (Sous-chef), Alex Corrado (Maitre d'),[9] Mariani Ebert (Hostess),[10] Domiziano Arcangeli (Himself), Heather Kristin (Waitress), Natalie Norman (Waitress), Topher Goodman (Waiter),[11][12] Lisa Wurzel (Herself), Gideon Horowitz (Waiter),[13][14] Heather Snell (Bartender),[15] Amanda Congdon (Coat-check attendant), Pete Giovine (Waiter),[13][15] Uzay Tumer (Captain),[6][15] Emily Shaw (Captain),[16][17] Lonn Coward (Waiter),[6][15] Carrie Keranen (Waitress),[6][15] Colleen Fitzgerald (Captain), Caroline Matler (Waitress), Brian Petruzzell (Busboy), Lola Belle (Bartender),[10][13][18] Susanna Hari (Kitchen staff), Brian Allen (Waiter), Tony Acinapura (Chef), Massimiliano Bartoli (Chef),[19] John Charlesworth (Kitchen staff), Laurent Saillard (General manager),[6] Perry Pollaci (Kitchen staff), Matt DiBarro (Bartender).

"[25] The Sacramento Bee wrote "Confession time: I'm addicted to NBC's semi-reality, semi-documentary series, "The Restaurant."