it is mario batali. his hospitality empire dedicated to bringing la dolce >>> when it comes to dining dollars, from new york to hong kong to your kitchen, my next guest puts his money where his mouth. chef mario batali is owner of 24 restaurants, author of nine cookbooks. mario, great to have you on the program. >> great to be here. >> thank you so much for joining us. so you operate restaurants all over the world. what is the dining industry tell you about how consumers are feeling right now? >> well, it tells me that they like -- at the the same time they like something they recognize, and they want to take a little risk, but not one that can't be paid off. so we'll sell a risky appetizer, but not so much a risky entree. the volume says they're comfortable everywhere we are. >> so people are certainly recognizing tough economic times. >> right. >> and they're being selective. >> selective, but they're very much about value. at the end of the month, you look at your credit card statement, value at $20 a

. >>> plus, mario batali's secret sauce. the celebrity chef's expanding empire, and his recipe for success. "on the money" begins right now. >> this is america's number one financial news program, "on the money." now maria bartiromo. >> here is a look at what is making news as we head into a new week "on the money." it is the stock market rally that just won't quit.