Staying Hungry returns with an episode every restaurant owner, operator, and hospitality marketer should hear. This week, Michael D’Onofrio and Vinny Pappalardo sit down with Alyssa Guidice - the force behind Dine LI - to unpack what it really takes to build a food community that doesn’t just “like” posts, but actually shows up, supports restaurants, and moves real dollars.

With the perspective of a smart, boots-on-the-ground restaurant critic, Alyssa shares how she grew Dine LI into a 50,000+ member community without charging restaurants, selling ads, or chasing clout. From pandemic survival playbooks to the psychology of positivity, this conversation digs into why authenticity beats algorithms - and why restaurants that engage locally win long-term.

The episode also explores Alyssa’s path through hospitality, wine & spirits, small business ownership (A Pound & A Half), and community-led fundraising efforts that have generated nearly $500,000 for local causes. If you’re a restaurant owner wondering how to cut through the noise, rebuild nightlife, or create loyalty beyond discounts, this episode delivers.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Why Long Island needs more local food experiences  

2:30 – Welcome to Staying Hungry + introducing Alyssa Guidice  

6:15 – From baker to wine & spirits: Alyssa’s hospitality journey  

12:40 – Building Pound & a Half Cookies while working full-time  

18:55 – The true cost of baking, pricing pressure & food inflation  

25:30 – How Dine LI started — and why it grew so fast  

32:10 – Why positivity beats negative reviews in food communities  

38:45 – Pandemic pivots: keeping restaurants alive through visibility  

45:20 – Pizza Strong, community fundraisers & real impact  

52:30 – Why Alyssa refuses to charge restaurants  

58:15 – The decline of nightlife & what guests actually want now  

1:06:40 – Lessons for restaurant owners trying to stand out  

1:13:00 – What’s next for Dine LI and in-person events