Enjoy.
Thank you.
I made it a little strong, because you seem tired.
Is that all right?
You read me like a book. It's delicious.
I'm glad I didn't bring an umbrella.
It gives me an excuse to stay a while.
That's true.
This mysterious restaurant is on a road just a little ways from the center of Rome.
Huh?
Is there a special guest coming tonight?
A certain someone from the past is coming with the owner and his wife tonight.
Oh?
Say, what is "Teo's Specially-made Dolce Piatto" exactly?
Well, he's not much for Teo's dolce, actually.
Buonasera.
Well, it's been a while, Claudio.
We've been expecting you, Marzio.
The owner and his wife haven't arrived yet.
You all look well.
I hear about the restaurant here and there.
Have you lost weight?
That's because Gigi and I used to eat a ton, back then.
Speaking of Gigi...
He hasn't changed a bit.
Eating as always.
Who is that?
Are you sure, Gigi?
Huh? Isn't that one of the really expensive bottles?
Who is that man?
Ah!
Nicoletta, come out here.
But I promised not to leave the kitchen...
Today's a special occasion.
Come on, introduce yourself to your predecessor.
It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Nicoletta.
I'm Marzio.
Looks like you've hired another cute, young lady again, huh?
He used to help in the kitchen.
Besides for Gigi, he's been in the business for longer than anyone.
Dell'orso has quite the past.
You overworked yourself.
Should I call your folks?
It's OK.
After you're discharged tomorrow, want to stop for a drink on the way home?
You know, at the bar he works at.
Yeah... OK. Let's do that.
I'm feeling better already.
Buonasera.
Where's that man? That older barista.
Oh, my brother-in-law? He hasn't worked here since last week.
What?
What? He quit?!
Really?
Ah, I get it. That's why you came along to get me, Gigi.
And wearing a suit on your day off...
I used to spend my days, waiting for work to get out, so I could go there.
There are plenty of gentlemen in town,
but a place where you can have a drink and truly be at ease is rare indeed.
Would that be strange?
There's still that cameriere left...
What about the barista from that bar?
Yeah, I had the same thought, so I got his name and phone number.
Luciano De Luca...
I'm afraid I'll have to pass.
I just grew tired of working as a barista, so I quit.
I don't think I can go back to working the late shift...
Quit? Didn't you just use your sick days to spend some time with your grandson?
But still, it's a great opportunity.
You're more suited to being a cameriere than a barista, I bet.
You stay out of this.
There are plenty of young men who can be camerieres.
Why would you want someone like me?
To be honest, it's for my wife.
For your wife?
She's got what you'd call peculiar tastes...
We've been planning on opening the ristorante for months,
but she collapsed the other day, from overworking.
So, I'd like to do something for her.
I'll introduce you to someone else.
Just accept that and go, please.
He's a gentleman.
How can I put it... A real man.
I've been working at a ristorante outside of Rome.
I've been there about twenty years.
Twenty years, you say?
The owner there has been very generous to me,
but he passed away recently...
The new owner doesn't take as kindly to me...
I'm sure he knows what I'm referring to.
I heard you used to work together...
He's a brilliant man.
He's incredibly sophisticated...
But, he had to quit when his wife got sick.
So, I'm sure he'll sympathize with the emotions you have towards your wife.
I'd love for him to work for me.
Say no more. I'll convince him for you.
Thank you. But, what about yourself?
I'd like to mull it over a bit more.
I've worked at the same place for a long time.
Of course.
We convinced each other.
Some Orsini wine was involved.
Thank you both.
However, there's that sign out back...
Seeking bespectacled men, fifty or older...
Just saw this, guys. What do you say?
Oh.
Forgive my attire. I was out for a jog.
Let me get my spectacles.
I've got no experience as a cameriere,
but I've worked plenty of different jobs.
As a concierge in a hotel, etc.
I'd love to try and work as a cameriere.
He looks like a nice guy.
Indeed.
Allow me to introduce you all once again. This is an old associate of mine, Marzio.
He used to help out in the kitchen sometimes, when I ran the restaurant next to the winery.
These are the chefs, Vanna and Dario.
They're both masters in the kitchen.
Claudio, a cameriere.
Also, Luciano and Vito.
These are the gentlemen who will manage the floor.
They're all old men.
Seriously.
And this is Gigi, our sommelier.
This is the wine list.
This is the food menu.
I'll switch it up seasonly, but we'll start with this.
Oh, right. They all wear spectacles.
It's no big deal. Don't worry about it.
I hope this puts a smile on her face.
The owner and his wife sure are late, huh?
He told me to get here before it opens.
I'm hungry, Grandpa.
Just a little longer, dear.
I'm sure she's still at work... My goodness.
Buonasera.
I'll take your coats.
Right this way.
How about you bring out a little of the food they make for the staff?
Not a problem.
We'll move you to your table when the owner and his wife show up.
Nicoletta, keep them company in their place.
Huh? But...
I'll let the kitchen staff know.
Th-Thank you.
The dinner service won't hit its peak for a bit.
Also, part of your job is to learn the restaurant's history.
Right.
Eat up.
Twenty years already...
That's so cool.
I've got to work my hardest, too.
There's so much about Claudio I don't know.
Being invited in before it even opens... I'm so excited!
I wonder what the ristorante will be like.
I made special reservations. Let's just take our time and enjoy ourselves.
Bear Street...
This is it, huh?
Ristorante casetta dell'orso.
Madam, will it be to your liking?
I won't pull any punches.
Buonasera.
B-Buonasera.
Allow me to take your shawl.
Grazie.
Right this way.
It's beautiful.
Want to relax a little more?
Yes.
Order anything on the menu.
I wonder what I should get...
Here is the menu.
We've prepared a special menu to pair with the Orsini wine that you like so much.
I'm delighted.
What does that entail?
Allow me.
Yes, it includes seasonal mushrooms.
We'll be serving porcini mushrooms tonight.
H-He's a complete gentleman...
And he's wearing spectacles!
Eggplant is in season now.
We'll be including it in tonight's antipasto.
I cannot fathom another restaurant this wonderful.
Both the food and wine are delectable,
and so is the scenery!
You know, I'd like to meet the chef, too.
Sure she won't mind the fact that I'm not a gentleman?
It's fine, fine.
I'm just the sous chef.
Dario?
Everyone who works here is older!
That's wonderful!
I'll revisit this situation when I'm an older man.
So, do you like it?
I...
More than anything else...
The fact that you thought of me this much makes me so happy, Lorenzo!
It was a splendid evening.
Wow, I had no idea.
Oh, I see you told her about that night.
When I saw the two of them that night,
I just knew.
Huh?
I knew I'd love this place for a long time to come.
This restaurant's origins go back to the owner's deep love for his wife.
Yeah.
Be that as it may, they sure are late.
Buonasera.
I got here as quickly as I could.
It appears he's arrived.
I'm so sorry to keep you waiting.
Olga wanted to give this to you.
She couldn't break away from work. I apologize.
I'll catch her next time, then.
Come on, let me buy you a drink, Lorenzo.
Sure. That's a fantastic idea.
OK, how about...
She is such a bad person.
You planning on taking the whole night off?
I was just on my way back to the kitchen!
Get to work.
I will! I'll work for twenty years!
You worked late tonight.
Sorry, it was so hectic today.
Let's invite Marzio out the next chance we get.
We can have him join us at the end of the day, like this.
Seeing you smile cleanses my soul.
Grazie.
Prego.
We're not involved in their feud,
so let's stay on good terms, Gigi.