Dine & Dish

Before the menu, before the build-out, before the doors open—there's the lease . In this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Paul Stanton , commercial real estate and legal expert, to unpack the legal realities every restaurant owner needs to understand before signing on the dotted line. From hidden lease clauses and CAM charges to personal guarantees, build-out responsi...

Opening a restaurant isn't just about great food—it's about strategy, capital, leadership, and resilience. In this must-listen episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo sits down with Gennaro DiMeo , seasoned restaurateur and operator, and Stephen DesLauriers , restaurant systems and operational support, to break down what it actually takes to open a restaurant from the ground up. From conce...

Ring in the New Year with Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo, her husband and business partner Gennaro DiMeo, and special guest Aviva (Vivi) for a lighthearted, feel-good episode full of laughs, honesty, and family perspective. From New Year's resolutions (and reality checks) to food, fitness, goals, and what growth really looks like at every age, this episode proves that fresh starts don't have t...

Food allergies are no longer a side conversation in restaurants—they're a business, legal, and brand imperative. In this episode of Dine and Dish, Restaurant Diva host Michele DiMeo sits down with Betsy Craig , Founder and CEO of MenuTrinfo , to unpack the real state of allergen management in today's restaurant industry. From menu labeling and staff training to legal exposure, guest trust, and eme...

In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva , host Michele DiMeo sits down with industry expert John Opdahl to break down the real economics behind restaurant purchasing. From buying power and food contracts to rebates, distributor negotiations, and protecting margins , John pulls back the curtain on where restaurants lose money—and how smart operators keep it. Whether you're a single-...

In this essential year-end episode, host Michele DiMeo sits down with finance/ tax and business systems expert Jill Risbon to break down everything owners and operators need to know before closing out 2025 and gearing up for a smooth, profitable start to 2026. From bookkeeping mistakes and tax-saving strategies to tip credit compliance, payroll prep, and avoiding costly audits, this episode is you...

This week, Michele sits down with Carl Griffenkranz, a seasoned professional staffing recruiter, to break down the biggest challenges and smartest strategies for hiring and staffing during the holiday rush . From understanding the current hiring market to attracting the right candidates, speeding up the interview process, training seasonal employees, and retaining top performers—this episode deliv...

In this special Thanksgiving episode , host Michele DiMeo with guest Gennaro DiMeo —serve up a candid look at what the holiday season really feels like in the restaurant world. From the chaos of holiday menu planning and take-home orders to the pressure of delivering flawless service, this husband-wife dynamic duo shares real stories, industry insights, and heartfelt gratitude. Warm, funny, and fu...

Technology is transforming the guest experience—but is it elevating hospitality or eroding the personal touch? In this episode, Michele and guest Stephen DesLauriers dive into the rising wave of QR codes, handheld ordering devices, AI-driven waitlists, automated kiosks, and all the gadgets reshaping front-of-house operations and some BOH mentions.   We break down what tech genuinely improves effic...

In this episode of Dine & Dish with Restaurant Diva, Michele DiMeo , we're talking all things real estate, restaurants, and results . Michele sits down with industry expert Lee Block to uncover the secrets behind finding the perfect restaurant location — from visibility and demographics to the gut instincts that separate a good spot from a great one. Together, they explore today's hottest comm...

In this episode of Dine & Dish , host Michele DiMeo, the Restaurant Diva , sits down with Amanda, the Innkeeper of the charming Foster Harris House , to uncover the heart and soul behind truly exceptional hospitality. Together, they explore what it means to create emotional connections with guests, the art of anticipating needs before they're spoken, and how genuine care transforms a stay—or a...

This week on Dine & Dish , Michele and special guest Stephen DesLauriers dive deep into one of hospitality's hottest and most complicated topics — tipping . From its surprising origins in 17th-century England's coffeehouses and taverns (where "To Insure Promptitude" gave us the word "TIP") to its modern-day evolution in American dining culture, tipping has always walked the line between gratit...

"It's not just a meal — it's a show. Michele and Krista uncover the hottest dining trends, from tableside theatrics and interactive chef experiences to candle-lit dinners, dining in the dark, and AI-driven immersive tables. Learn how restaurants are turning every meal into an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy moment." Keeping it real and bringing it back to Hospitality.

In this episode Krista and Michele walk through what they look for when hiring servers, what a typical training schedule looks like, and of course lots of little extras with a hint of celebrity gossip.  Big thank you to our listener, Angie for asking the questions....keep 'em coming.    Cheers!!

Love them or hate them, guest reviews on Yelp and Google can make or break your restaurant's reputation. In this episode, Michele and Krista dive into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly world of online reviews. From celebrating those 5-star raves to gracefully handling the tough critics, you'll learn how to: Respond like a pro (even when you want to scream). Turn negative feedback into oppo...

In this week's episode Michele and Krista go through what happens when your order comes out wrong.  How to handle it and how NOT to handle it, both from the guest and restaurant POV.  They also give away some insider info regarding your reservations in Open Table and RESY, and completely put the rumor to rest that something bad happens when you send your food back.

Whether it's your very first date or your fiftieth, dining together can make—or break—the magic. Michele and Krista dish on the do's and don'ts of dating over dinner—from choosing the perfect spot and ordering like a pro to dodging those first-date food faux pas (hello, spaghetti!). They share insider secrets for mastering menu confidence, creating the ultimate date-night vibe, and keeping the spa...

In this episode of Dine & Dish, Michele DiMeo and Krista Lepore know there's a world of difference between a true allergy, an intolerance or a restriction.  This week, we're breaking down the rules of the game: how the kitchen really handles allergies, why clear Guest–Server–Chef communication is the golden ticket, and what happens when it all goes sideways. Plus, a little "Sex and the City" f...

In this episode of Dine & Dish , Michele DiMeo and Krista Lepore dive into one of the most hotly debated topics in hospitality: should servers clear plates before everyone at the table is finished eating? From fine dining to fast casual outings, we break down the do's, don'ts, and unspoken rules of service that can make or break a guest's experience. Plus, we share real stories from the floor,...

On this debut episode of Dine and Dish , Michele and Krista step into the chaos of FX's The Bear to separate restaurant reality from TV drama. From Carmy's high-pressure kitchen to Richie's FOH antics, we're breaking down what the show gets right (and what it doesn't) about hospitality. Expect hot takes on FOH etiquette, family meal culture, and the unspoken rules of service that only industry ins...