In 2002, at Papillon, he is serving sophisticated cuisine which is out of place with the restaurant's decor, which is described by former New York Times critic William Grimes as "a dump".
He complains that preparing the bistro food is making him brain dead, and he tries to entertain himself by arranging French frie tastings.
The chef returns to consulting, and he is seen designing cocktails like a vodka tonic encapsulated in flavorless gum like El Bulli's liquid olive.
The restaurant is renamed Corton, and the final section of the film shows the relentless demands of preparing for the opening.
In the run up to the opening, the film edits together more and more of Liebrandt's comments about Bruni, turning him into a de facto antagonist.
She believes that it is, but she encourages Liebrandt by suggesting that the culinary spectrum in New York had veered so far towards Bruni's beloved comfort food, that Corton will be a welcome difference.
He makes three visits to the restaurant, and the staff describe his demeanor and relay some of the tricks he employs, such as dropping a towel on the floor of the restroom at the beginning of his meal.
He says on camera that he felt Liebrandt's cuisine had matured to a point where he could restrain his excessive impulses and just deliver sophisticated dishes that did not try to impress the diner.
Sally Rowe, a script supervisor for The Chappelle Show, ate at Atlas in 2000, when Paul Liebrandt was the chef.