Dine & Dish

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 efficiency, what creates friction for guests, and how restaurant leaders can strike the perfect balance between innovation and authentic human connection. Whether you're a seasoned operator or a curious diner, this episode serves the real tea on the future of service tech devices.

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 commercial real estate trends, how the NYC dining scene is evolving, and why choosing the right site is one of the most important — and challenging — decisions a restaurateur can make.

If you've ever wondered what makes a location truly thrive, this conversation serves up the insider scoop you've been hungry for.

Tune in now — and remember, in this business, it's always Location, Location, Location!

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 meal—into an unforgettable experience. Tune in for heartfelt stories, timeless service lessons, and a reminder that the best hospitality always begins with empathy.

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 gratitude and expectation. 

Whether you're a server, restaurateur, or diner who's ever wondered how much is enough, this conversation gets to the heart of what tipping says about value, appreciation, and the art of service.

Pull up a chair — it's time to dish.

"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.

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 opportunities.
• Use reviews to motivate and train your staff.
• Leverage glowing guest comments in your marketing.

Whether you're a restaurant owner, manager, or just love a good review story, this episode will give you practical tips on mastering the review game

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 spark alive—plus a few laugh-out-loud stories from the restaurant floor and the 2025 dating scene.

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" for garnish—because service talk is always better with a pop culture twist.  Shout out to Findmeglutenfree.com for all of our Celiac friends.