As a longtime fan of the TV show, I loved how closely the restaurant resembled the show's set.
I also thought the prices were surprisingly reasonable considering the high quality of the food.
As a kid, I couldn't get enough of reality competition shows. I never missed an episode of "American Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance" and loved the feel-good nature of the shows.
But when I got my first glimpse of a very different type of reality show — one where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay shouted at contestants for overcooking scallops — I was hooked.
"Hell's Kitchen," which first premiered in the US on Fox in 2005 and is now in its 23rd season, follows chefs competing in various challenges in hopes of becoming a head chef at a restaurant.
It's since been nominated for five Emmys, and its star, Ramsay, even opened a chain of restaurants based on the show.
The restaurant has seven locations in places like Las Vegas, Miami, Washington, DC, and Lake Tahoe, though my husband and I had dinner at the one in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Here are five things that surprised me most about the experience.
I couldn't believe how much the restaurant resembled the show's set.The kitchen was visible from the dining area and had chefs broken up into red and blue "teams."
Stephanie Pitera Statile
When I walked into the restaurant, I was shocked by how familiar the main dining area looked. I felt as though I had stumbled onto the set of the show.
According to the restaurant's website, emulating the show was intentional. The kitchen, which was visible from the dining area, even had chefs broken up into red and blue "teams" — just like on the show.
The subtle theming was everywhere.The show's signature pitchforks were even on our drinks.
Stephanie Pitera Statile
My husband and I ate at Hell's Kitchen as part of our anniversary celebration, so we were surprised with complimentary glasses of sparkling wine.
The glasses were topped with strawberries pierced with toothpicks shaped like pitchforks, a nod to the show's logo. The theming didn't stop there — the lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling were also shaped like pitchforks.
My favorite details were the bathroom doors marked with pitchforks resembling a "W" for women and an "M" for men.
During my visit, the chefs in the kitchen seemed much happier than they do on TV.Unlike on the show, we didn't hear any yelling inside the restaurant.
Stephanie Pitera Statile
It's no secret that a lot of screaming happens on the set of "Hell's Kitchen."
At the restaurant of the same name, however, I was pleased to see the chefs laughing and chatting with each other as they prepared our meals.
As fun as it is to see Ramsay shout on TV, I was happy not to hear yelling during our dinner.
The menu actually featured many of the show's signature dishes.I thoroughly enjoyed the lobster risotto.
Stephanie Pitera Statile
When I think of "Hell's Kitchen," I immediately think of dishes like beef Wellington, scallops, and risotto. They're cooked often on the show and are some of Ramsay's signatures.
I was pleasantly surprised to find all these items and more on the restaurant's menu. And, yes, the risotto certainly lived up to the hype.
Considering the high quality of the meal, I thought the prices were surprisingly fair.I thought our meal at Hell's Kitchen was a great value.
Stephanie Pitera Statile
When we first made a reservation at Hell's Kitchen, I expected our meal would be quite expensive.
After all, my husband and I can easily spend $50 on dinner at our local diner, and this is a TV-famous restaurant serving some high-class dishes.
However, we got three appetizers, an entrée, and a dessert cocktail for $216, including tax and tip. Considering the quality of our meal and the immersive atmosphere, I thought this price was surprisingly fair.
