Tonight: Leone's "Kitchen Nightmares"Airs

Rose Leone – or, as everyone refers to her, Mama Rose – was considering having a party to ring in the episode of ," which airs tonight, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. on Fox, but she’s a little apprehensive about what the show will be like. “We don’t get to see it before it airs,” she said, adding that they have no idea how their story will be told.

Gordon Ramsay and his crew showed up in early July and spent several days at the Italian eatery just off Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. They revamped the décor of Leone’s – painting walls, changing art, adding table cloths – as well as the culinary fare. 

“He gave us some really great recipes,” said Mama Rose, pointing them out on the menu. A peach Buratta in the Antipasto selections, and entrees including Rigatoni DiManzo – a short rib dish, Penne Zucca – a pasta with butternut squash, sage and ricotta, Cappelini La Bella – crab, chili, lime and basil, according to the menu, and Veal Chops with zucchini. 

Mama Rose glances heavenward when she mentions the butternut squash dish and is equally reverential toward the Funghi Misti pizza, which is made with wild mushrooms, truffle oil and Talleggio cheese. “That pizza is unbelievable,” she said.

As is the case with most "Kitchen Nightmares" episodes, Ramsay ripped things to shreds before putting them back together again. “He screamed at the kitchen staff,” said Mama Rose, adding that she fired the cook afterwards.

The restaurant applied to be featured in the Fox hit after Rose sustained a long, debilitating illness. When she returned to work after two years, the restaurant was a mess and she wanted to get it back on track.

“We’ve worked with the changes that Gordon made,” said Mama Rose, adding, “I hope the show is good.”