Chris Calloway (Adrien Brody) is a bartender in a trendy New Jersey restaurant as well as an aspiring playwright with problem case writers block. Unexpectedly he finds himself juggling a promising new relationship with fellow waitress/singer wannabe Jeannine (Elise Neal) while coming to terms with his ex Leslie (Lauryn Hill) as well as living his life with his co-workers, each with their own charming eccentricities.

A warm, funny and hugely entertaining story of New York twenty something's making a living whilst chasing their ambitions of fame, Restaurant cleverly interweaves a series of stories and character studies exposing tensions, competitiveness, class and racial issues that eventually force Chris and his work colleagues to come to terms with how they see their lives, potential careers and personal relationships.