Where Would you Take Your CEO to Dinner?

Mike O'Neill has an interesting practice when it comes to vetting potential hires. O'Neill is the CEO of the music rights management company BMI, but he is making the news for his unusual interview process. According to CNBC, after a candidate makes it though an obligatory first round interview, O’Neill asks the potential employee to pick a restaurant where they will have their second, and final, interview.

You can read more about his process here: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/03/ceo-takes-job-cand…

So the question I have for you guys is this; if you were sitting down with the CEO of your firm for a final round interview, where would you take them? Why?

On this note, what etiquette tips would you give to other monkeys going out on a business dinner?

Lastly, what is the funniest story you have from a business dinner?

30 Comments
 

Peter Luger Steak House

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Best Response

Or Dorsia .... if getting a reservation is possible..... yeah Dorsia

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
"Isaiah_53_5" Or Dorsia .... if getting a reservation is possible..... yeah Dorsia

for the record, if a candidate got to pick and said this to me --- immediate hire.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I would try to find out where that CEO likes to eat, or, short of that, where the company goes for client dinners. If I can't find that information, I would either default to a decent but not super high end steakhouse chain (Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, etc.) or a cool new place that is nice.

I would not go super cheap nor would I try to blow the budget in some misguided effort to impress the CEO.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I'd pick a place with good food where I am a regular / know the management like one of the Indian or Hot Pot restaurants I frequent (I would ask the guy if he's cool with Indian Food first). That way I can share a little bit about myself in an organic way and hopefully my CEO comes out remembering me, the food, and the good conversation we had.

 

I'd consider somewhere not stuffy but not like a cheap chain. maybe somewhere with some history and character.

it wasn't really funny, but my company takes out interviewees if the interview goes well to see how they are in social situations... we got 2-3 drinks in and the candidate started asking about cocaine. 'so, like, do you guys do coke? or do, like, a lot of people in your office?'. the other two people i was with fell silent but i wanted to see where it went so i said, 'i mean everyone likes to have fun now and then, right?' then he said 'oh absolutely, i don't do coke sober but i love it when i drink, we should try to get some tonight'.

 
"WannabeBankerr" Cookout

Is cookout good? I see it is expanding.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Cookout's great for what it is.

You can spend about six giddy and get 'Cookout Tray' which includes a giant entree and two sides (some of the sides are entrees) and a drink.

Additionally, you can get a double bacon cheeseburger as your entree for the same price as a regular single burger. A 'giant' sweet tea costs the same in the tray as a small drink.

I don't advise you eat Cookout if you have cholesterol/blood pressure problems...

 

I'd take the CEO to the shittiest spot from my childhood that I still enjoy. Either the fried chicken spot near my homie's place in the Bronx or Arturo's Pizza down the block from my parent's house, also in the Bronx. Whether (s)he goes or not would tell me the kind of shitty company I'm working for.

in it 2 win it
 
"Kassad" I'd take the CEO to the shittiest spot from my childhood that I still enjoy. Either the fried chicken spot near my homie's place in the Bronx or Arturo's Pizza down the block from my parent's house, also in the Bronx. Whether (s)he goes or not would tell me the kind of shitty company I'm working for.

There are some great shacks within Manhattan, yo

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

whatever place, think the key is to be decisive and confident in your pick (not ask is this ok 10x) and not to try to over impress him/her by blowing wads of cash

 

Laboriosam omnis natus quis ut. Excepturi recusandae hic quae consequatur. Deserunt aliquam est harum repellat quae. Facilis qui eius et commodi maxime.

Id non voluptates corporis delectus aut. Sit tempore non impedit aliquid iure. Eos tenetur cum eveniet. Delectus enim culpa voluptatem ullam minus facere unde.

Nesciunt quae tempora sunt alias corporis ut odit non. Blanditiis aliquam aut ut ipsum officia doloribus quam. Ipsum similique voluptas mollitia non. Voluptas et omnis repellat quod enim maiores necessitatibus.

Aut quam explicabo est et repellendus sit. Autem rerum impedit sed asperiores dicta est atque. Ratione tempora vitae molestiae aliquam tempore occaecati qui. Voluptatibus in laboriosam odit nihil autem ea consequuntur. Dolores ex quia cumque quas.

...
 

Amet minus quis corporis reprehenderit fuga eos nihil. Tempore error animi id et quasi quae. Odit fugit quos ea consequuntur aut. Repellat nulla itaque odio perspiciatis id. Natus eius commodi quia asperiores qui illum dicta.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
courses
Elite Modelling Program
We help you thrive in the most prestigious jobs on Wall Street Oasis
testimonials
What Students Say About WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”