Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)
“You can’t be all things to all people. Do one thing and do it well,” says Mark Bucher. He’s built his entire Medium Rare restaurant philosophy around that principle, achieving success with a simple idea. . When I sat down for dinner with him at his Arlington location in November…
After 16 years and 143 dinners, Dining With Strangers is finally on Instagram. Starting today, I’m archiving the entire interview series on Instagram from the very beginning in November 2008, when I had brunch with a friend in New York and came up with the idea for this site. Each…
Growing up in Detroit, Alex English never thought about a career making people laugh. But once he left the city and moved to New York, an impromptu decision to take part in a comedy club’s open mic night made him decide to become a professional comedian. He’s written for television,…
Jeb Brooks, the 141st dining stranger, is quoted in a Washington Post article today on the slow dismantling of basic economy perks, specifically the major airlines’ decision to stop letting budget passengers earn frequent-flier miles. Jeb and his wife Suzanne spent a day in April 2025 testing basic economy across…
“Battleaxe,” “wife from hell,” “Lady Macbeth” – Christine Hamilton has heard every insult. She gained notoriety during the 1990s cash-for-questions scandal that ended her husband Neil’s political career, bankrupted them, and seemingly defined their lives forever. Nearly 30 years later, journalists still can’t write about the couple without re-litigating the…
Actor and broadcaster Zeb Soanes, the 28th dining stranger, is touring in England over the coming months with “Two Halves Of Guinness,” a new play about acclaimed thespian Sir Alec Guinness. It marks the 25th anniversary of Guinness’ death. The two-time Oscar winner appeared in almost 70 plays, 50 films…
In October 2018, I was fortunate to spend a lengthy, fun lunch in Los Angeles with Donna Lynne Champlin for the 111th interview with a stranger. Donna Lynee is an actress with an impressive and growing resume, including an extensive stage and Broadway career, a self-produced album, film appearances, and…
Do you have an interesting career or hobby? Want me to take you out for a meal? Either way, if the answer is yes to one or both of those questions, get in touch to book a dinner with a stranger. Launched in late 2008 by me (Anthony), Dining With…
The first dinner interview of the year, and the 143rd overall, will be online in a few weeks. Today’s article is a throwback to my 110th interview. In October 2018 I had lunch with Pierre Phipps and Terrance Wilson, also known as gay rap duo Freaky Boiz, to hear about…
Dining With Strangers was dormant for most of 2020 through the end of 2024 for several reasons. I finally resumed the interviews this January, wanting to make good on a promise I made to my late friend John Curry to do so. When I restarted the process of taking strangers…