Black Rabbit Episode 1 recap: A violent night at the Black Rabbit sets the tone

Black Rabbit Episode 1, titled The Cyclone, aired on September 18, 2025, on Netflix. The first episode begins with a robbery inside the Black Rabbit, a Lower East Side restaurant owned by Jake Friedken. Masked men storm the crowded space, forcing guests and staff, causing a panicky chaos. The VIP section, filled with regular patrons as well as investors, becomes the center of the heist.

The attackers demand money, jewelry, and luxury watches, as Wes, Jake’s closest friend and business partner, steps in to diffuse the situation, but the confrontation quickly twists into something much more dangerous. The opening incident does not provide all the answers, but it is clear that the Black Rabbit is not just another New York hotspot.

This sequence sets a clock ticking over the rest of the story, raising questions regarding who orchestrated the crime and why this restaurant ended up being a target. The flash-forward structure plants the robbery at the heart of the season while leaving the audience to track how the characters’ decisions in the days prior connect to this violent moment.

Black Rabbit: Jake Friedken balances business and family

Jake Friedken is introduced as a businessman trying to establish the Black Rabbit as one of New York’s premier restaurants. He manages every detail of the restaurant’s growth while simultaneously raising his son Hunter. Scenes show Jake driving Hunter to school in his vintage Jaguar while relying on him to answer work messages.

At the restaurant, he oversees Chef Roxie, hostess Anna, and manager Mel as they prepare for the arrival of a New York Times food critic, which could determine the venue’s future success. Financial advisor Naveen presents Jake with an opportunity to acquire the Pool Room, a legendary location that could expand his brand, but only if the Black Rabbit earns critical acclaim.

Jake’s ex-partner, Val, appears in his life as they co-parent Hunter, portraying his split focus between family and business. His workload, combined with Anna’s unreliability and the looming review, places him under mounting pressure. This balance between ambition and responsibility is fragile, and every decision carries consequences for both his business empire as well as his family ties.

Black Rabbit: Vince Friedken returns to New York with trouble

Jake’s older brother Vince, re-enters the story after a failed scheme at a Reno casino. He attempts to sell their late father’s coin collection but is double-crossed in the parking lot. The confrontation ends in violence, leaving Vince desperate for a way out. With debts piling up and loan sharks closing in, Vince calls Jake from Nevada.

Despite his hesitation, Jake purchases a plane ticket and brings him back to New York. Vince immediately spins stories to explain his situation, but his problems quickly follow him into the city. Old acquaintances question his motives, while two men connected to his debts threaten him with violence unless he can pay back over a hundred thousand dollars.

Vince promises repayment by pointing to the impending sale of their late mother’s house in Queens. His presence in New York forces Jake into a position where he must juggle loyalty to family with the risk of Vince’s chaos spilling into his business. Vince’s return sets off a chain of events that complicates every aspect of Jake’s carefully constructed world.

Black Rabbit: The critic’s visit changes the course of events

The night of the New York Times food critic’s visit is the most important evening in the Black Rabbit’s history. With Anna absent from her bartending shift, Jake scrambles to cover the gap himself. Chef Roxie instructs him on how to prepare signature drinks while also handling the kitchen.

In the middle of this high-pressure night, Vince arrives at the restaurant and seamlessly steps behind the bar to assist. Despite his unstable situation, Vince’s charm and speed help keep the evening running smoothly. The critic’s meal, including a crab dish with ranch rémoulade, is served without any issue. By the end of the night, the atmosphere shifts from anxiety to relief as staff and friends celebrate the apparent success of the visit.

Jake, recognizing the benefit of Vince’s presence, offers him a temporary job until their mother’s house is sold. The critic’s positive impression secures short-term stability for the Black Rabbit, but Vince’s ongoing debts and shady connections suggest that the restaurant’s victories may be short-lived. The night highlights how one crucial review can change fortunes, while also showing how outside forces threaten to unravel everything.

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