Annie is thrown into a hot mess when she returns after her mom’s death to help out in the family restaurant. The conflict, secrets, and cream sauce swirl in this well-crafted world and give us some great theatrical moments. The heart of the story is the family bond. And there is perhaps no family bond stronger than one that forms between those to pour their heart and soul into a family business. McClain’s play illustrates this perfectly.

Wonderful writing, brisk dialogue, convincing restaurant-industry details, and a breezy wit really make this play sparkle, but ultimately its strength is in its handling of the familial relationships between these sharply individualized characters. The play takes on tough issues along with easier ones but never feels tonally unbalanced. Instead, McClain skillfully weaves a number of themes and conflicts into an artful tapestry.

There's some great storytelling going on here! I loved the adult siblings' realistic relationship, and so many of the one-liners. We get to watch these adults navigate the new normal in the wake of their grief. The play is comfortable being exactly what it is, much like the titular restaurant. No bells or whistles: it's here on a mission to fill us all back up.