The View From Here Page #2

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of who you are, and I'm

trying to figure that out.

- You think you've got me figured out?

- I have a head start.

- So I take you to a

park and Japanese place

and all of a sudden, you've got me pegged?

(clears throat)

- Cooking is the only thing

that makes sense to you.

Your dad was a chef, and that seems to be

the only thing you don't resent about him.

You've got a chip on your shoulder because

you seem to think that

he owes you something.

You opened a restaurant out of revenge,

but I think deep down you really love it.

You think that you're better than he is.

You're pretty much better than anyone

you've ever cooked for.

And, now it's time for

the world to take notice.

You're cocky, but it's

only because you think

you have to be.

- You kind of wear it like an apron,

but I can tell the way

that you talk about food

and eat food it's not because

it's about being the best,

it's about love.

And, I think you think

that if you have that,

you'll never be alone.

- Wow, you wrote all that in your book.

- Some of it, sorry.

- No.

Don't be.

- I should go.

- So I guess we'll see

you in a couple weeks.

- Yeah I could draw something

up as soon as possible.

- Well thank you for lunch,

and dinner, and drinks.

(laughing)

- You're welcome, Mark.

- Goodnight Gillian.

(laughing)

- Goodnight Mark.

- Okay.

Morning.

- You been here all night?

- Yeah, come taste this.

- Saffron.

- Uh huh.

- What are you doing?

- We're changing the menu.

(plucky orchestral music)

- [Narrator] Four months

later, Smoke and Fire opened

in the Mission District with

a fresh and personal design

by Gillian and an updated menu.

Mark felt inspired.

He just had to get through opening night.

- Our job is to earn their trust.

Pretension, snobbery, and asshat-ery

are not what we are about.

(plucky orchestral music)

These guests are going to

be paying $100 an entree.

We want them to feel like it's worth it.

- Hi, welcome to Smoke and Fire.

Table for two?

- [Guest] Yeah.

- Right this way please.

- [Peter] We cater to each

individual, not the table.

So know every detail of every dish.

We want them to feel special.

We want them to feel loved,

and we want them to feel

like they are sitting at

the most exclusive table

in the city.

- Good evening, welcome to Smoke and Fire.

Table for Two?

Follow me.

- We've given you all the tools

you need to be successful.

Show us that you are

a part of this family.

(plucky orchestral music)

Chef Mark has something to say.

- When Peter and I started this journey,

we had one goal in mind, perfection.

That is the standard that

we hold ourselves to.

Anything less than that is unacceptable.

We have you here because we know

that you have that capacity.

Maybe in other restaurants you worked in,

your best was good enough, but not here.

Here every dish that comes out

of this kitchen is flawless.

It's beyond reproach.

If not, we'd all serve it.

You give me that.

You give me perfect, and I will give you

something better than that.

You will be working in the best kitchen

in the city, and you'll

be able to say that

with confidence.

And, one day when you all

have your own kitchens

and sprout wings and

fly, you'll hold yourself

to that same standard.

You'll want to be better than me

and fail miserably.

But, the pursuit will be noble.

Be perfect.

Anything less is unacceptable.

Let's cook.

- [Employees] Yes chef.

- Get some music going.

(pleasant synth music)

- Don't look so grim.

- How'd we do?

- How do you think?

- I don't know the whole night was a blur.

- We had a line out the door all night.

We're booked solid for the next month.

We did it, Mark.

We should celebrate.

- Yes.

- You know we should

- Congratulations, Chef.

- Thank you.

I am starving.

Let's get a family meal going, yeah?

- Okay what do you want?

- Do we have any Cherrystones left?

- I think so.

- Cioppino, I made a stock earlier.

It's in the walk-in.

- Sounds good.

- Thank you.

Hey.

- I tried to get a table earlier,

but the line was around the block.

- You don't have to wait just call.

You'll never have to wait for a table.

- Okay.

I brought you something.

- [Mark] What?

- When you told me about your grandma,

and how she raised you,

and how much you love her,

it made me think about

my grandma, and I just,

I don't know, she collects 'em.

And, I just thought.

I know it's stupid.

- No, no.

I love it.

I'll cherish it always.

Listen I can't thank

you enough for all this.

I mean it looks incredible.

- It's my job.

Yeah but I never could've imagined this.

- Sure you could've.

You were just so focused on

what you didn't want this place

to be, you didn't see

it for what it could be.

- Yeah I guess that's true.

- Most people think like that though.

- Like what?

- Well if they know the

answer to everything,

or if they think they know everything,

they don't try.

But, if you live your life like that,

you'll never be surprised.

- I hope I'm not like that.

- I don't think you are.

- You saying I don't know

the outcome to things?

- No, I'm saying you

don't act like you do.

You wouldn't have opened this place

if you were that insightful.

- So now this place is destined to fail?

- Okay wait, that's not what I meant.

I meant that I admire you

for taking such risks.

- Well I had good help.

- Now you're being modest.

- I've been accused of a

lot of things, never that.

- I have to go.

I have an early meeting in the morning.

- Yes of course.

Thank you again, Gillian.

- You're welcome.

- Okay.

- [Gillian] Right.

- Gill, Gillian?

- Yeah?

- Do you think--

- [Peter] Found it.

Bought it in Montreal last spring.

I've been saving it for, oh Gillian?

I didn't know you were here.

Would you like some?

- Oh no, thank you.

- Nonsense.

It's a '98.

- No seriously, I'm okay.

I just came to drop

something off for Mark.

- Charming, not for

the dining room I hope.

What?

- Peter, why don't you take

this back in the kitchen,

and we'll crack it open

with the entire staff?

- Did you hear me when

I said it was a '98?

- I will pay you back

just go, and I will see

Gillian out.

- Gillian, it was a

pleasure working with you.

- You too.

- The place looks better than I expected.

- Thank you.

- I think that's the

closest you're ever going

to get to a compliment with him.

- I'll take it.

I really do have to go though.

- Okay well goodnight.

(laughing)

Goodnight.

- Okay.

And, the answer is yes by the way.

- Yes to what?

- Whatever you were going

to ask me, I'd love to.

What would you have said?

- I don't know.

- If I hadn't said anything,

would you have done anything?

- You mean if I knew the outcome?

- That's not fair.

- You're the one who said it.

If people know the outcome of things,

they don't do anything.

So no, if I knew who it would all pan out,

I don't think I would've done anything.

- I think you would've.

You might've let me

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