I heard from Mr. Rizzo that the chef here is quite talented.
Sorry for the wait.
This is tonight's antipasto misto.
Please take your time to savor it.
See? It looks delicious.
Indeed.
What's wrong?
Nothing...
Waiter!
Yes, sir?
Why do all the employees here wear spectacles?
Well, that's this restaurant's trademark.
Huh?
This mysterious restaurant is on a road just a little ways from the center of Rome.
What are those?
Oh, those are photographs taken when this restaurant opened.
The staff has changed a little since then.
That man wasn't wearing spectacles.
Yes, that's why he left.
Wait, he was fired?!
Of course not. That's not grounds for that.
But the owner is a curious one.
It's one thing to have a wife who likes bespectacled gentlemen, it's another to open a place like this.
Well, anyway, this wine is truly delectable, Gigi.
He treats his wife like a goddess.
She truly met a wonderful man to make her husband.
Look at her, smiling like that...
Are you not feeling well?
No, no!
Feel free to speak your mind about anything.
If you're a friend of the Madam, you're a friend of ours.
Thank you. I will do just that.
Man... Now I can't tell them I'm really her daughter.
Yeah, it's really comfortable living here.
She's taking care of all my living expenses.
Though she did break her promise to meet and talk.
Well, she is really busy.
Hey, Grandma... There's a guy I really like.
But I can't tell if it's love or what...
I'm not really good at talking about these sorts of things.
Why don't you talk to Olga?
She's your mother, plus you're all the way there, in Rome.
My grandmother was the one who suggested I go to Rome.
I know it's because she wanted me to make up with her.
I get that she's busy.
Well, if I'm staying here in Rome,
I should probably look for a job.
But, what sort of job should I look for?
I just moved here without thinking things through.
They're closed today.
Lovely.
Shall we go get some food, Francesco?
Sure, Grandpa.
How about that panini place?
I wonder if they have my usual.
Hmm?
What's that?
Hey!
Luciano!
Nonno, who's she?
She's a friend of the owner's wife.
For some reason, she's been coming to eat with the staff every day at the restaurant.
Your grandson?
I'm Francesco.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Nicoletta.
Don't believe everything your grandfather says about me.
Are you hungry?
Oh, it's Gigi!
Buon giorno.
Are you always on this bench?
Sheesh... Why can't they just let me relax on my day off?
Put that all in, too. We'll add in salt and pepper.
You're good at cooking, miss.
It's because I used to help my grandma cook since I was about your age.
Your grandma? Not your mother?
That's right. I learned how to cook from my grandma.
Wow...
Buono!
Well? Change your mind about me at all?
Not bad, for an amateur.
I like it.
He spoke.
How long are you in town?
Planning to stay in Rome forever?
I don't think I could.
What do your parents say about this?
My daddy's always taking business trips.
Oh, that must be tough.
In any case, look for a job.
You can't just be here for fun.
You've got to take it seriously-
Save the speech, I'm already looking!
Looking!
Don't copy me!
Don't copy her!
OK!
Claudio's not coming today?
Maybe, since it's his day off, he's treating his wife and kids!
No?
Hey!
Wow, this pasta is actually edible.
What was that all about?
Sounds like Nicoletta is spending a lot of time at the restaurant.
You never know what to expect from her. She's still a kid.
Why don't you invite her over sometime?
Since she's your friend and all.
To be honest, I don't know how to connect to her.
In my mind, she's still that little girl I knew years ago.
Just treat her normally.
Don't worry so much. It's not like you.
Thank you.
What's with Luciano?
He treats me like a little kid.
Though it's true, I've never really thought about my future.
I really should think about my future.
But, for the time being, love is just as important!
Buon giorno, Nicoletta.
Buon giorno.
Is this love?
I really don't know yet.
You again?
Like this Luciano guy who does nothing but complain...
I'll walk you home.
If he suddenly became really kind to me, would I fall in love with him over that?
They said it wasn't gonna rain today...
Shall I call you a cab?
I'll be fine if I run!
I'd be fine doing that, but you...
Use it. You'll both fit.
Thanks.
Thank you, Luciano.
I'm loaning it to Claudio.
Now take her home before the sky really opens up!
What a nice guy.
Isn't he?
That's true. Gigi is somewhat strange.
But he's a good guy, too.
What's your wife like, Claudio?
I don't have one, actually.
But... that ring...
There's a reason I wear this.
There are some customers who try and pursue me for real.
They'll start talking about marriage and the like.
So, this is a countermeasure against that.
My wife and I separated years ago.
What should I do?
He opened up to me.
I hate the whole idea of adultery.
I'd never bring up the idea of marriage, though...
My wife and I separated years ago.
There are some customers who try and pursue me for real.
So, this is a countermeasure against that.
Here you go.
Uh, umm...
Have a seat.
OK.
Thank you very much.
My...
This smells lovely. What is it?
I bought it at a shop nearby.
I see.
What should I do?
I can't take my eyes off of him.
He's so much older than I am... I've never felt like this before.
Umm...
I want to try and see if this is all right or not.
I know I like you, but I can't tell if it's real...
Hold on a second...
Umm...
I mustn't.
I think... he's a real gentleman.
Nicoletta, it's been a while!
I brought you some chocolates!
Keep your hands off my Claudio.
Why's he yours?!
All the gentlemen there belong to me.
I'm truly sorry for being in your friend's apartment at such a late hour.
It's fine. Have a seat.
I know that she dragged you here against your will.
No, but...
I'll let the two of you talk.
Ah... All right.
You're not serious, are you?
You're serious?
Yes. I'm single, so who cares!
Then why not go after Luciano? He's single!
Why?
Then, Teo?
What is this? It's like you don't want me going after Claudio for some reason.
Well... I understand, but Claudio doesn't know how to handle a woman's advances.
Say, why don't you move back to your grandmother's?
What the hell?!
You're young. There's no need to rush things.
You should focus on getting a job, and your future.
Enough! Why does everyone treat me like a little kid?
Huh?
I've thought about all that already!
But I don't know what I should do!
I don't know what I'd be good at.
You're good at cooking, miss.
Hey, why'd you go quiet all of a sudden?
Hey, I have a favor to ask.
Huh?
If you help me out, I'll reconsider telling your husband that I'm your daughter.
I'm Nicoletta and I'll be working as an apprentice here, starting today.
I look forward to working with you.
Since Lorenzo said it was fine,
it's OK with me.
But promise me you won't leave the kitchen.
Of course not!
So you've always had an interest in cooking, huh?
They said you even went to cooking school for a bit.
Yes, but I had never thought about it as a career.
So what made you change your mind?
I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do,
but I knew I wanted to be independent.
I plan on using this opportunity to learn everything I can about cooking.
Excellent.
Say, you give cooking classes at your home, don't you?
Can I join in?
I'd love that.
Man, there's no pancetta.
Giuseppe swore up and down he'd get it, too...
That's no good. We can call, but it takes them a while to deliver it.
How about I go and get it?
Just tell me where to go.
Claudio. You heard her.
Please escort her there.
Umm...
Sorry about last night, for doing that to you.
But, I want to let you know that I'm serious.
I don't regret what I did.
It's fine. I'll lay off a bit.
Nicoletta, I...
I'm serious about learning how to cook.
I didn't start working at the restaurant just because of you.
I want to try and pursue something I may be good at.
I don't want to always depend on Olga.
I want to be truly independent someday.
Then, I'll become a great woman, and get back at her!
I've had enough of people treating me like a kid!
Please give it your all. I'll support you.
Sure. I can use your support more than ever!
Ladies first.
Thank you.
It's so great to be working in the same place as him!
Gabrielle's coming tonight, right?
I'll have to make a really grand dolce, then.
Gabrielle? Could that be someone special?
Buonasera.
Gabrielle is here.
Got it.
Hey, is Gabrielle a VIP or something?
Yes. She's Claudio's ex-wife.
I wanna see!
Stay out of sight.
She has such beautiful skin.
That's his ex-wife?
Yes.
Well, it is his "ex"-wife.
Good work today, Nicoletta.
See you tomorrow!
When are you going to stop wearing that ring?
I won't order you to do it, though.
Anyway, see you later.
I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation.
Nothing of the sort.
Claudio...
Could he still have feelings for his ex-wife?
The restaurant is located on a street in Rome.
Its name is casetta dell'orso.
She's my mother.
I said it.
What?!