
A new life awaits 22-year-old Tess when she arrives friendless in New York City and lacking any specific ambitions beyond finding a job. Her charm and observational nature lead to an invitation to train at one of the city's best restaurants. She thinks it is a temporary place to wait for her life's big break, but Tess is quickly intoxicated by the people she meets and by the chaotic world behind the scenes -- tasting expensive wine, exploring dive bars, learning whom to trust. Her co-workers become her family, and through them she finds a sense of belonging that she has never encountered before.
Tess learns the truth about Jake and Simone's past, so she forms a plan to get everything she wants in the restaurant.
Tess and Jake take their relationship to the next level, causing tension with Simone; Ari feels abandoned; Will uses his power for a questionable purpose.
Simone's ex-husband shows up in the restaurant and dredges up old feelings; Tess tries to figure out what, and whom, she really wants.
Howard decides to restructure the restaurant's tip structure; Tess learns more about Simone and gets closer to Jake.