Bistronomia

October 2005. Paris is ablaze. Johanna Diallo, in her twenties, black, from the suburbs, takes the RER train like she does every morning to get to Le Régent, a chic restaurant where she works in the kitchen, dreaming of becoming a chef. There she meets Amandine, an intern, daughter of a big name in gastronomy, who is just as passionate as she is. In a brutal service, they face a hellish pace, bullying, and violence in a man's world. In the evening, to unwind, they meet up at a bar with a journalist friend. And there, between drinks, a crazy idea pops up: what if they opened their own restaurant, open, free, reflecting the cuisine they dream of championing?

The next day, it's back to reality: Johanna is once again subjected to pressure and humiliation in the kitchen, and her body gives way. Amandine, however, hasn't given up on the restaurant idea and convinces Johanna to try their luck at an investors' evening. The experience turns into a fiasco: they don't know the ropes or the right words to say. But an eccentric entrepreneur takes an interest in them. Meanwhile, Vivian finally lands a job at Bré-Michelet—the gang begins to see a future.

It's panic time: Johanna and Amandine only have a few hours to prepare for their meeting with the investor. They envision a simple, no-frills restaurant with raw materials—an avant-garde vision of urban bistronomy. But for now, they still have to go back to Le Régent, where the atmosphere is unbearable: Johanna is buckling under her chef's shouting and violent gestures, and her tendonitis is getting worse. Amandine has to deal with a colleague's inappropriate advances. Vivian, meanwhile, discovers the shady dealings of the famous restaurant guide: cronyism, bribes, manipulation. All three dream of a better life elsewhere. And then one evening, finally, the phone rings: the investor wants to see them again.

Good news: Johanna and Amandine have found an investor, a tech entrepreneur with a passion for gastronomy. Bad news: he insists that his wife, a wealthy forty-something with questionable taste, run the project. She wants to change everything: a chic location, high-end products, high prices—a vision that is the polar opposite of that of the two friends, who dreamed of an accessible and daring place. The dilemma is cruel: give in to see their restaurant come to life, or stay true to their idea and risk everything. Meanwhile, Vivian launches a blog where he reviews the best inexpensive places in town—a deliberate counterpoint to the traditional guide he still writes for. In the end, the girls part ways at an impasse: Amandine refuses to sell out their vision for money.

Vivian is stunned by the phenomenal success of her articles, to the point that a trendy city guide steals her addresses. Meanwhile, Johanna, still working on the restaurant project, suffers from the suffocating interference of the investor, while Amandine survives at Le Régent, where she is assaulted. That same evening, she joins Johanna to save a failed dinner party. Together, they impress the guests but slam the door in the face of the Sottos' contempt. That same evening, over a drink with Vivian, they realize that if they want something, they'll have to take it. What if this dilapidated bar became their dream restaurant?

It's decided: their restaurant will be located in this old bar in the 20th arrondissement, remote, decrepit, and therefore perfect. But no bank believes in them—too young, too female, not profitable enough. Johanna hesitates: should she stay at the Régent and accept the position of sous-chef, or follow her dream of independence? Amandine wants to escape this place of suffering, even if it means begging her father—in vain. Vivian is barely surviving on her writing. So, on a whim, Amandine mortgages her apartment. Without telling Johanna.

They finally have the keys! But from the very first visit, it's a rude awakening: no professional facilities, an unwelcoming neighborhood... and yet they stick with it. With an ultra-tight budget, they renovate the place themselves, focus on short supply chains, and find an organic farm near Paris. Little by little, their restaurant takes shape. But tensions arise: between skyrocketing prices and Johanna's stifled creativity, an argument breaks out. Amandine then reveals her assault, and the bond between them grows stronger. The opening approaches, and Vivian helps them. Everything seems ready... until Vivian discovers an article: their former investors have stolen their signature dish.

On the eve of the opening, it's a race against time: their signature dish has been plagiarized, and Johanna refuses to be compared to the restaurant owned by their former investors. She urgently needs to create a new dish, but their finances are at rock bottom. Amandine is forced to sell some personal belongings for a pittance. Johanna, in search of inspiration, wanders around Paris until she stumbles upon a popular restaurant where beef hearts are simmering: a bold and affordable idea. Back at the restaurant, she gets to work, but her body gives out—her tendonitis becomes debilitating. The opening is suddenly in jeopardy.

On the eve of the opening, it's a race against time: their signature dish has been plagiarized, and Johanna refuses to be compared to the restaurant owned by their former investors. She urgently needs to create a new dish, but their finances are at rock bottom. Amandine is forced to sell some personal belongings for a pittance. Johanna, in search of inspiration, wanders around Paris until she stumbles upon a popular restaurant where beef hearts are simmering: a bold and affordable idea. Back at the restaurant, she gets to work, but her body gives out—her tendonitis becomes debilitating. The opening is suddenly in jeopardy.