You remember the episode. Gordon Ramsay walks into a restaurant in Everett, Washington, and is greeted not by a menu or a host, but by a belly dancer.
That was Darlene "Rishi" Brown.
She was the well-meaning but totally overwhelmed owner of Prohibition Grille. If you’re a fan of Kitchen Nightmares, this 2013 episode probably lives rent-free in your head. It had everything: a chef named Rocky who seemed to be sabotaging the place, a "Soup of the Day" that was just whatever was in the fridge, and a owner who would rather dance than look at a P&L statement.
People are still searching to see if the Prohibition Grille Kitchen Nightmares still open status has changed. They want to know if Gordon’s tough love actually stuck.
The short answer? No. But the long answer is way more interesting and involves several rebrands, a few new owners, and a very different life for Rishi.
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The Reality of Prohibition Grille Today
If you drive down to 1414 Hewitt Avenue in Everett today, you won't see a Prohibition Grille sign. You won't see Rishi belly dancing in the window either. Honestly, the restaurant world is brutal, and even the "Ramsay Bump" has an expiration date.
Prohibition Grille is officially closed.
It didn't happen overnight, though. Unlike some restaurants that fold three weeks after the cameras stop rolling, Rishi actually fought for this place. After Gordon left, she leaned into the "Prohibition Gastropub" rebrand. For a while, things were actually looking up.
Reviews were better. The food was edible.
But by 2016, Rishi decided she’d had enough of the 80-hour work weeks. She sold the business to Brenton Holland. He tried to keep the spirit alive by renaming it "Prohibition Grille & Saloon," focusing on whiskey and steaks. He even added a drag brunch, which was a far cry from the original belly dancing.
It didn't last. By 2017, that version of the restaurant was gone too.
What Happened to the Building?
The location at 1414 Hewitt Ave has a bit of a "cursed" reputation among locals, though that's probably just the reality of the restaurant industry. After the Prohibition era ended, a place called Abbott’s moved in.
It was a complete 180 from Rishi's spot.
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Abbott’s was upscale. Think leather chairs, candles, and servers in vests. James and Anne Abbott spent months gutting the place. They even painted over most of the red decor Gordon had installed.
Fast forward to 2026, and the space has seen even more changes. Currently, a spot called The Flying Pig occupies the old Prohibition Grille footprint. It’s a local favorite that moved into the space to bring a more casual, pub-like energy back to the corner.
If you go there now, you can still see the high ceilings and the brick walls that Gordon Ramsay yelled at, but the vibe is completely different.
Where is Rishi Brown Now?
This is the part everyone asks about. Did Rishi go back to belly dancing full-time?
Actually, she stayed in the industry for a long while, just not as an owner. Managing a restaurant you don't own is a lot less stressful than watching your life savings disappear into a "Soup of the Day."
Reports and LinkedIn updates show that Rishi transitioned into a management role at the Tulalip Resort Casino in the Seattle area. It’s a massive operation, and by all accounts, her "people person" personality—which Gordon actually liked—made her a great fit for corporate hospitality.
She seems to be doing great. Honestly, some people are meant to be the face of a business, not the person worrying about the industrial fridge breaking at 2 AM.
Why the Ramsay Fix Didn't "Save" It
You’ve gotta realize that Kitchen Nightmares is a TV show first and a business consultancy second.
Gordon fixes the immediate "bleeding." He fixes the menu. He fixes the carpet. But he can't fix the geography or the long-term debt.
- The Debt Load: Most of these owners are hundreds of thousands of dollars in the hole before Gordon arrives.
- The "Rocky" Factor: Chef Rocky eventually left and tried his own thing, which also eventually closed. Without a consistent back-of-house, no amount of red paint helps.
- Ownership Burnout: Rishi was tired. You could see it in her eyes during the episode. Sometimes the "win" isn't keeping the restaurant open forever; it's getting it profitable enough to sell it and move on.
Lessons from the Prohibition Grille Saga
If you’re a business owner or just a superfan of the show, there’s a lot to learn from why Prohibition Grille Kitchen Nightmares still open isn't a reality.
Success in the restaurant world requires a "boring" foundation. You can have the best gimmick in the world (like belly dancing), but if you don't know your food costs, you're doomed.
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- Separate Passion from Business: Rishi loved dancing. That doesn't mean she should have owned a restaurant to do it in.
- Know Your Kitchen: The biggest shock of the episode was Rishi not knowing what was in her own walk-in freezer. If you don't know your inventory, you don't know your money.
- The Pivot is Key: The fact that the location survived through three different owners and rebrands shows that the location was good, even if the original concept was flawed.
The legacy of Prohibition Grille lives on in reruns and YouTube clips. It remains one of the most "wholesome" episodes of the series because, unlike some owners who fought Gordon with forks and knives, Rishi actually listened. She just realized, eventually, that her path to happiness wasn't through a kitchen.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Entrepreneurs:
If you find yourself in a failing business venture, don't wait for a celebrity chef to show up. Audit your "Soup of the Day" immediately—metaphorically speaking. Check your margins, be honest about your staff's performance, and if your heart isn't in the "boring" parts of the business, it might be time to look for an exit strategy that preserves your sanity, just like Rishi did.