Omelette (The Bear)

The Bear (TV series)

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2022 (2022)
Founder	Christopher Storer
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Products	Television episodes
Website	www.hulu.com/series/the-bear

Omelette represents the ninth installment of the American comedy-drama series The Bear during its second season. It is the 17th episode in total, scripted by executive producer Joanna Calo alongside series creator Christopher Storer, who also directed the episode. The full season, including this episode, was released on Hulu on June 22, 2023.

The narrative follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a celebrated New York City chef who returns to Chicago to take over his late brother Michael's struggling Italian beef sandwich shop. In this chapter, the team readies themselves for The Bear’s soft launch, while Cicero counsels Carmy to focus on what benefits the restaurant most.

Critics praised the episode for its measured tone, in-depth character exploration, and steady pacing.

Plot

The Bear is set to open softly, hosting only family and close friends initially. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) hopes that Claire (Molly Gordon) will attend the event, whereas Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) looks to impress her father, Emmanuel (Robert Townsend), reaffirming her professional path.

Natalie (Abby Elliott) surprises Carmy by inviting their mother to the occasion, an idea he accepts with some hesitation. Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) recruits Fak (Matty Matheson) and Gary (Corey Hendrix) for assistance outside and discusses with Natalie increasing reservations to ensure profitability despite a fully booked two-week schedule. Cicero (Oliver Platt) returns Carmy’s business license and advises him to always prioritize the restaurant’s welfare, warning that any misstep could trigger a chain of complications. Carmy chooses not to answer Claire's call before opening; she leaves a voicemail instead.

While welcoming guests, Carmy apologizes for his previous conduct and pledges to work collaboratively, astonishing Sydney with a personalized chef’s coat. Moments before opening, Carmy notices he forgot to fix the walk-in refrigerator handle but stays composed. With Carmy, Richie, and Natalie managing reception, Sydney gives the signal "let it rip," prompting Richie to open the doors for customers.

Context

Ebra's issue with ServSafe certification originates from a 2013 state regulation mandating that all paid employees must hold food handler certification under supervision by a certified food protection manager. This requirement extends beyond Illinois and includes several hours of coursework, a written test, and fees that can reach several hundred dollars depending on the certification level. Employing staff without certification risks closure of the establishment. These licensing hurdles depicted in season two illustrate the intricate regulatory environment involved in launching a new restaurant in the United States.

The scene where Syd and Carmy adjust a hook beneath a table during an intimate moment reflects thoughtful design aimed at customer convenience. Creative director Xavier Donnelly highlighted this ergonomic feature as an intelligent solution for patrons uncertain about where to hang their coats or bags.

Development

In May 2023, Hulu revealed details about the ninth episode titled "Omelette," penned by executive producer Joanna Calo and series creator Christopher Storer, with Storer directing. This episode marks Calo's fifth writing contribution, Storer's seventh as writer, and his eleventh time directing.

Writing

Richie's insights are inspired by the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, particularly its second-to-last chapter titled "Om." In this section, Siddhartha perceives the river as a vessel carrying the accumulated wisdom of past generations and the passage of time.

Costuming

Before the restaurant's launch, Carmy presented Sydney with chef jackets personalized with her initials. These whites were confirmed by designer Thom Browne to be custom-made pieces. Christopher Storer, the series creator and admirer of Thom Browne, had previously showcased Sydney wearing shirts embroidered by the designer in season one. Costume designer Courtney Wheeler explained that producing these chef whites required four to six months, symbolizing Carmy's confidence in Sydney and their deepening connection.

Neil Fak, influenced by his mentor Richie, opts for suits tailored by Harry Rosen, known for dressing Matty Matheson. His vintage-inspired brown suit paired with a pink-striped shirt is complemented by an embroidered tie sourced from Richard's Fabulous Finds in Chicago, enhancing the retro aesthetic.

Set design

The table that Carmy and Sydney installed beneath was handcrafted by Navillus Woodworks, a woodworking company based in Chicago.

Music

This episode features tracks such as "The Day the World Went Away" by Nine Inch Nails, "Strange Currencies" from R.E.M., "New Noise" by Refused, Pearl Jam’s "Come Back," and AC/DC’s "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)."

It begins with a scene tinted blue showing Claire and Carmy, then shifts to Sydney disclosing her last meal was a left Twix. Subsequently, Carmy suffers a panic attack behind the restaurant. His anxiety escalates until he envisions Sydney arriving on her first day, which immediately soothes him. During this moment of distress, a distorted reversed version of "Strange Currencies" plays as Carmy grapples with memories of Claire and his troubled family dynamics involving Mikey, Donna, and Uncle Lee. When Sydney appears in his imagination, the song transitions into its normal forward melody. This particular sequence ignited discussions regarding Carmy's emotions toward these two women and was regarded as one of the most provocative scenes of the season.

Food: Sydney's omelette

Sydney’s omelette is modeled after the traditional French style, which contrasts with the thicker and fluffier American omelettes commonly found in U.S. cuisine. French omelettes are characterized by their thinness, quick cooking method, and simple ingredients—typically eggs, butter, and occasionally cheese—highlighting a smooth texture without added fillings.

Restaurateur Abe Beame commends Sydney’s method as nearly perfect but notes slight imperfections such as pan temperature control and her use of a narrow strip of Boursin cheese on the eggs—a departure from classic technique but likely flavorful. He also points out her finishing touches like butter rubbing and garnishing with chives that contribute appealing texture and taste for certain palates.

Boursin is a creamy cow’s milk cheese created in 1957 by François Boursin in Normandy. Its original garlic-and-fines herbes flavor remains popular; chef Ludo Lefebvre recommends using the cracked black pepper variety for omelettes. If unavailable, a scallion-flavored cream cheese can be substituted. The addition of ridged potato chips—probably sour cream and onion flavored Ruffles—provides a unique crunch reminiscent of potatoes used in Spanish tortilla dishes.

Following the release of season two, numerous culinary enthusiasts began recreating Sydney’s omelette recipe, demonstrating its rising popularity within food communities and media outlets.

Food: Nonna's giardiniera

Four index cards affixed to the bookshelf in the Bear office display the recipe for "." translates to grandmother. This condiment is a classic accompaniment for an Italian beef sandwich.

Critical reviews

"Omelette" was met with widespread critical praise. Marah Eakin from Vulture awarded it a flawless 5-star score, highlighting The Bear’s emphasis on personal growth and the transformation of past struggles into progress, whether in professional or personal realms.

A.J. Daulerio of Decider focused on Richie’s character arc, questioning the speed of his advancement while valuing the development portrayed. Arnav Srivastava from The Review Geek gave it 4 stars, drawing attention to the episode’s concentration on character choices and intricate details. Karl R De Mesa at Show Snob commended the realistic portrayal of kitchen preparation chaos and Carmy’s meaningful gift of a chef’s jacket, calling it an ideal prelude to the finale.

Rafa Boladeras of MovieWeb placed the episode as the sixth best of the season, emphasizing a pivotal emotional dialogue that highlighted themes of teamwork and friendship, alongside a memorable omelette preparation scene. Jasmine Blu from TV Fanatic also ranked it sixth best, noting how it effectively set the stage for the intense finale by focusing on key narrative points such as Carmy’s distractions.

Retrospective reviews

In 2024, The Hollywood Reporter positioned "Omelette" at number 18 among 28 episodes released by then. ScreenRant ranked it ninth, praising its "compassionate" depiction of Sydney and Carmy and scenes that hinted at their inevitable connection.

By 2025, Vulture placed "Omelette" 21st out of 38 episodes, describing it as "more of an appetizer teasing the season two finale than a whole meal." Meanwhile, Esquire included it seventh in their top ten episodes spanning the first three seasons, lauding the central scene where Carmy and Sydney engage as equals in a metaphor-laden single-take sequence.

See also

• List of The Bear episodes
• The Bear season two
• Previous episode: "Bolognese"
• Next episode: "The Bear"