Dining With Strangers
@diningstrangers.bsky.social
Taking strangers out for a meal and interviewing them about their lives | diningwithstrangers.com
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#141 Greener Grass | Dining With Strangers
Creating a YouTube hit about globetrotting adventures
diningwithstrangers.com
Interview 141: I met globe-trotting YouTuber Jeb Brooks at D.C.’s Filomena to talk about his hit travel channel Greener Grass, finding joy on planes, trains and buses — and whether the grass really is greener elsewhere
Throwback Thursday 109 (October 2018): At just 20, Demetrius Harmon turned fame on the short video app Vine into a 2M+ following, using it to talk openly about depression, hoping to help others feel less alone.
#109 Demetrius Harmon Wants You To Be Happy | Dining With Strangers
An internet personality talks about finding fame online
diningwithstrangers.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Throwback Thursday 109 (October 2018): At just 20, Demetrius Harmon turned fame on the short video app Vine into a 2M+ following, using it to talk openly about depression, hoping to help others feel less alone.
Throwback Thursday 108 (September 2018): Lunch with Jay Nix, owner of New Orleans’ Parkway Bakery & Tavern. He swears by one management rule: “Don’t be an asshole.” Judging by the success of his place, serving up the classic po’ boy (or poor boy, in Parkway-speak), it works.
#108 Parkway For Poor Boys | Dining With Strangers
Learning about the classic New Orleans poor boy sandwich
diningwithstrangers.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Throwback Thursday 108 (September 2018): Lunch with Jay Nix, owner of New Orleans’ Parkway Bakery & Tavern. He swears by one management rule: “Don’t be an asshole.” Judging by the success of his place, serving up the classic po’ boy (or poor boy, in Parkway-speak), it works.
Interview 141: I met globe-trotting YouTuber Jeb Brooks at D.C.’s Filomena to talk about his hit travel channel Greener Grass, finding joy on planes, trains and buses — and whether the grass really is greener elsewhere
#141 Greener Grass | Dining With Strangers
Creating a YouTube hit about globetrotting adventures
diningwithstrangers.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Interview 141: I met globe-trotting YouTuber Jeb Brooks at D.C.’s Filomena to talk about his hit travel channel Greener Grass, finding joy on planes, trains and buses — and whether the grass really is greener elsewhere
New interviews coming soon. For today, here's Throwback Thursday 107 (September 2018): Breakfast in Brooklyn with actor Erick Lopez. A high school injury ended his sports dreams, so he took up drama instead — now he’s acting in TV and film, including as Hector on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
#107 Erick Lopez Explains | Dining With Strangers
A young actor shares his experiences breaking into the industry
diningwithstrangers.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
New interviews coming soon. For today, here's Throwback Thursday 107 (September 2018): Breakfast in Brooklyn with actor Erick Lopez. A high school injury ended his sports dreams, so he took up drama instead — now he’s acting in TV and film, including as Hector on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Throwback Thursday 106 (May 2018): Dinner with Dean Gold, owner and executive chef of Dino’s Grotto, an Italian-inspired restaurant in D.C. He shared the ups and downs of the industry, as well as his colorful life that includes wine, economics, jazz and more.
#106 Dino’s Grotto | Dining With Strangers
Dinner with Dean Gold, owner of an Italian-inspired restaurant
diningwithstrangers.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Throwback Thursday 106 (May 2018): Dinner with Dean Gold, owner and executive chef of Dino’s Grotto, an Italian-inspired restaurant in D.C. He shared the ups and downs of the industry, as well as his colorful life that includes wine, economics, jazz and more.
Throwback Thursday 105 (April 2018): Dinner with Jamila Robinson at Elena in Washington, D.C., talking food, family, and shaping the future of storytelling through dining.
#105 Storytelling Through Food | Dining With Strangers
Jamila Robinson discusses the future of food and dining storytelling
diningwithstrangers.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Throwback Thursday 105 (April 2018): Dinner with Jamila Robinson at Elena in Washington, D.C., talking food, family, and shaping the future of storytelling through dining.
Interview 140: Dinner with Bennett Rea, creator of the viral online series Cookin’ With Congress, where he recreates the bizarre recipes of politicians and others. We talked possum, Taft’s legendary appetite, George Santos’ carbonara, and how politics and food collide.
#140 Cookin’ With Congress | Dining With Strangers
How a TikTok series on politicians’ favorite foods blends history with humor
diningwithstrangers.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Interview 140: Dinner with Bennett Rea, creator of the viral online series Cookin’ With Congress, where he recreates the bizarre recipes of politicians and others. We talked possum, Taft’s legendary appetite, George Santos’ carbonara, and how politics and food collide.
Throwback Thursday 104 (April 2018): I met André Hueston Mack for supper in New York. He's an ex-banker turned award-winning sommelier, the first African-American to win Best Young Sommelier in America. André had just launched his own label and was planning his first wine bar.
#104 Uncorking André Hueston Mack | Dining With Strangers
Supper with a sommelier/winemaker/designer
diningwithstrangers.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Throwback Thursday 104 (April 2018): I met André Hueston Mack for supper in New York. He's an ex-banker turned award-winning sommelier, the first African-American to win Best Young Sommelier in America. André had just launched his own label and was planning his first wine bar.
Interview 139: When I was 10, I saw actor Robert Factor in the cult comedy film Ninja Academy. A few weeks ago, at 45, I had lunch with him in Glendale, California, to hear his story: juvenile hall, acting, writing, grief and reinvention.
#139 Robert Factor Is Ready For His Closeup | Dining With Strangers
A cult film star and theater veteran on a life chasing roles, stories and surprises
diningwithstrangers.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Interview 139: When I was 10, I saw actor Robert Factor in the cult comedy film Ninja Academy. A few weeks ago, at 45, I had lunch with him in Glendale, California, to hear his story: juvenile hall, acting, writing, grief and reinvention.
Dinner 138: Meeting CNN’s @mkraju.bsky.social at Pascual in DC to talk scoops, his journey to top Capitol Hill reporter, being yelled at on live TV, and balancing journalism with family life.
#138 Live From Capitol Hill: It’s Manu Raju | Dining With Strangers
CNN’s chief congressional correspondent on politics, pressure, and perseverance
diningwithstrangers.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Dinner 138: Meeting CNN’s @mkraju.bsky.social at Pascual in DC to talk scoops, his journey to top Capitol Hill reporter, being yelled at on live TV, and balancing journalism with family life.
Throwback Thursday 102: January 2018 dinner with actor Kurt Fuller. He gets approached 10 times a day by people who swear they’ve met him before, they just can’t remember from where. But it’s really because he’s “that guy,” the character actor from movies (Ghostbusters II) and TV shows (Psych).
#102 Kurt Fuller Is ‘That Guy’ | Dining With Strangers
Dinner with a well-known character actor
diningwithstrangers.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Throwback Thursday 102: January 2018 dinner with actor Kurt Fuller. He gets approached 10 times a day by people who swear they’ve met him before, they just can’t remember from where. But it’s really because he’s “that guy,” the character actor from movies (Ghostbusters II) and TV shows (Psych).
Brian 'The Motel Guy' @mrbrianarya.bsky.social didn’t set out to become TikTok-famous — but his heartfelt videos about life at his family’s New Jersey motel struck a chord with 1M+ followers.
We met over Korean BBQ to talk storytelling, failure and success, and life at the Lincoln Tunnel Motel.
We met over Korean BBQ to talk storytelling, failure and success, and life at the Lincoln Tunnel Motel.
#137 How Brian Acosta Arya Found His Motel Heaven | Dining With Strangers
A motel manager on TikTok fame, failure and success, and the importance of storytelling
diningwithstrangers.com
July 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Brian 'The Motel Guy' @mrbrianarya.bsky.social didn’t set out to become TikTok-famous — but his heartfelt videos about life at his family’s New Jersey motel struck a chord with 1M+ followers.
We met over Korean BBQ to talk storytelling, failure and success, and life at the Lincoln Tunnel Motel.
We met over Korean BBQ to talk storytelling, failure and success, and life at the Lincoln Tunnel Motel.
Throwback Thursday 101: Portraits of rabbis blessing basketballs. Llamas with fruit on their heads. Foreheads — just foreheads — painted alongside strange, thoughtful objects. Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of artist Jonathan Blum, and my December 2017 dinner with him.
#101 Rabbis And Llamas And Foreheads, Oh My! | Dining With Strangers
Dinner with portrait painter Jonathan Blum
diningwithstrangers.com
June 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Throwback Thursday 101: Portraits of rabbis blessing basketballs. Llamas with fruit on their heads. Foreheads — just foreheads — painted alongside strange, thoughtful objects. Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of artist Jonathan Blum, and my December 2017 dinner with him.
Dinner 136 is with Doudgy “Dew” Charmant, a D.C. artist painting joy, love, and legacy in bold color. We talked art, faith, and how he got in trouble with his uncle for tracing a picture of 50 Cent.
#136 Dew The Artist | Dining With Strangers
An artist describes the evolution of his work focusing on the human experience
diningwithstrangers.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Dinner 136 is with Doudgy “Dew” Charmant, a D.C. artist painting joy, love, and legacy in bold color. We talked art, faith, and how he got in trouble with his uncle for tracing a picture of 50 Cent.
Dining With Strangers is now on Substack if you'd like to subscribe and get notified when I post new interviews (I am really not good as this self-promotion thing)
Subscribe to Dining With Strangers
Taking strangers to dinner and interviewing them about their lives since 2008. Click to read Dining With Strangers, by Anthony Lacey, a Substack publication. Launched 10 minutes ago.
diningwithstrangers.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Dining With Strangers is now on Substack if you'd like to subscribe and get notified when I post new interviews (I am really not good as this self-promotion thing)
Interview 135: Dining with Dani Luv, the in-house singer at landmark New York steakhouse Sammy's Roumanian. For more than 20 years he's played the piano and cracked Borscht Belt-style jokes for generations of loyal diners.
#135 Saturday Night Luv | Dining With Strangers
New York lounge singer Dani Luv talks about decades of performing at Sammy's Roumanian
diningwithstrangers.com
April 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Interview 135: Dining with Dani Luv, the in-house singer at landmark New York steakhouse Sammy's Roumanian. For more than 20 years he's played the piano and cracked Borscht Belt-style jokes for generations of loyal diners.
Interview 134: My lunch the other week in DC with personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython. He's a former college basketball player who switched to launching his quickly growing personal training brand "The Team"
#134 No Raine, No Gain | Dining With Strangers
Former college basketball player Raine Storm McKeython shares the story of launching his personal training brand
diningwithstrangers.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Interview 134: My lunch the other week in DC with personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython. He's a former college basketball player who switched to launching his quickly growing personal training brand "The Team"
Reposted by Dining With Strangers
Not, surprisingly, an April fool:
Waterstones have announced A History of the World in 47 Borders as their non-fiction book of the month. Bit chuffed by that, ngl.
Waterstones have announced A History of the World in 47 Borders as their non-fiction book of the month. Bit chuffed by that, ngl.
Books of the Month | Waterstones
Discover our full range of books, gifts, toys, stationery and audiobooks at Waterstones.com. Click & Collect within 2 hours or buy online with Free UK Delivery on Orders Over £25.
www.waterstones.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Not, surprisingly, an April fool:
Waterstones have announced A History of the World in 47 Borders as their non-fiction book of the month. Bit chuffed by that, ngl.
Waterstones have announced A History of the World in 47 Borders as their non-fiction book of the month. Bit chuffed by that, ngl.
Reposted by Dining With Strangers
Off to Edinburgh for the weekend as my comedy/cabaret alter ego is hosting three shows at The Stand 😃
March 28, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Off to Edinburgh for the weekend as my comedy/cabaret alter ego is hosting three shows at The Stand 😃
Interview 133 is here! Lunch with real estate agent
Joe Himali (@bestaddress.bsky.social) who has found fame on TikTok and other social media sharing his decades of knowledge about Washington, DC’s architectural history.
Joe Himali (@bestaddress.bsky.social) who has found fame on TikTok and other social media sharing his decades of knowledge about Washington, DC’s architectural history.
#133 Joe Himali Knows The Best Address | Dining With Strangers
DC real estate agent Joe Himali talks about finding fame on TikTok by sharing local architecture secrets
diningwithstrangers.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Interview 133 is here! Lunch with real estate agent
Joe Himali (@bestaddress.bsky.social) who has found fame on TikTok and other social media sharing his decades of knowledge about Washington, DC’s architectural history.
Joe Himali (@bestaddress.bsky.social) who has found fame on TikTok and other social media sharing his decades of knowledge about Washington, DC’s architectural history.
Reposted by Dining With Strangers
why not come see me talk to @knoxharrington.bsky.social off the Anfield Wrap in Liverpool next month
March 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
why not come see me talk to @knoxharrington.bsky.social off the Anfield Wrap in Liverpool next month
Here's the 132nd meal with a stranger, my brunch with @naomipaxton.bsky.social in London late last month. She performs as magical cabaret act Ada Campe, as well as being an academic, Suffragettes researcher, actor and more.
#132 Naomi Paxton’s Many Hats | Dining With Strangers
LONDONJanuary 18, 2025 STRANGER: Naomi PaxtonLOCATION: Dulce Coffee & Kitchen, 86 Whitechapel High Street, London, EnglandTHEME: Brunch with an academic, magician and performer who's always on the mov...
diningwithstrangers.com
February 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Here's the 132nd meal with a stranger, my brunch with @naomipaxton.bsky.social in London late last month. She performs as magical cabaret act Ada Campe, as well as being an academic, Suffragettes researcher, actor and more.
The 132nd dinner with a stranger is coming Monday but in the meantime here’s Thursday’s throwback — my 92nd meal with a stranger, meeting former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD) at Peacock Cafe in DC back in September 2016
Throwback Thursday 92: Senator Larry Pressler And The Quest To Save Democracy | Dining With Strangers
Former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) is concerned about the state of politics, fearing it’s become so bitter and broken that it’s impossible to advance good laws. Now out of Congress and official...
diningwithstrangers.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The 132nd dinner with a stranger is coming Monday but in the meantime here’s Thursday’s throwback — my 92nd meal with a stranger, meeting former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD) at Peacock Cafe in DC back in September 2016
Reposted by Dining With Strangers
last month a very nice friend of a friend asked if he could buy me dinner and let me talk about myself for an hour, so obviously I said yes
#131 A (Brief) History Of The World In 47 Borders
Author Jonn Elledge meets for a dinner interview to discuss his new book telling the history of the world through its borders
diningwithstrangers.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
last month a very nice friend of a friend asked if he could buy me dinner and let me talk about myself for an hour, so obviously I said yes