Montréal, winter 2002. Stéphane, a 19-year-old metal head student has been spiraling down a dangerous path: he has become addicted to gambling. Homeless, indebted and avoiding what remains of his friends, he takes a job as a dishwasher. That job becomes his salvation as, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, he discovers and befriends the colorful characters who work at La Trattoria.