Clara and her two sons decide to start over in New York after fleeing from Clara's abusive husband with little more than their automobile. The family eventually runs across Alice, who assists them in finding a safe haven after their vehicle has been hauled away. When Clara is caught stealing food from a Russian restaurant known as "Winter Palace," she is introduced to Marc, who has been offered the opportunity to assist the venerable establishment in regaining its former splendor. The 'Winter Palace' is quickly transformed into a setting for fortuitous meetings between characters, many of whom are suffering through difficult times and have been drawn together by chance despite their differences.