Hoda Kotb reveals her dream first date would be at Chili's... as she plans third date with mystery man introduced to her by Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager

Hoda Kotb's dating life has become fodder for fans since she admitted to taking a dive back into the pool of dating in recent times.

One of the more surprising admissions the Today show co-host revealed during an interview with Page Six was her dream date destination, which some people might guess requires an upscale, five-star restaurant.

'I like Cracker Barrel, Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden and Red Lobster and Outback,' Kotb revealed, before sharing another of her more popular chain restaurants. 'Do not diss any of those. Chili's!'

Kotb, 59, only just had her first date recently since her split from ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman in December 2021, which translates to flying solo for more than two years.

It turns out it was her friend and co-host Jenna Bush Hager who introduced Kotb to the mystery, although she has since clarified that she 'doesn't really know him.'

Hoda Kotb, 59, disclosed she is more into the idea of having dinner at chain restaurants like Chili's when it comes to describing her dream first date; she pictured in New York City earlier in March 2024

'Jenna is a great picker; she really is,' Kotb said of her gal pal and colleague, before elaborating on the conversation she had about the mystery man. 

'She goes, "Look, I just want you to know: I don't really know him. A friend of mine knows a friend,"' Kotb said of her Today With Hoda & Jenna co-host, as reported by Page Six once again.

Just last month Bush Hager, 42, teased on Today that she was 'in the process' of setting up a close friend on a date. 

So far, it appears the journalist and author could be on the path to a budding romance, considering she has already gone on a second date with the man, and confessed she 'had a great time.'

In fact, the Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee author went as far as to share that a third date was in the planning stage as of last Friday. 

'We'll have our third coming up, but it's really fun,' the Norman, Oklahoma native, who grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia told Entertainment Tonight in an interview that same day.

'You know what? Life is beautiful! Like, try things, go out, get out of your house and your apartment,' she explained, when discussing why she decided to start dating again after more than two-plus years. 'I feel like life is meant to be experienced and step out into it.'

Along with her taste for some of the more known franchise restaurants, Kotb also has some simple dating requirements that are a must if there's going to be a second date and beyond.

The television personality revealed she's planning her third date with a mystery man who was introduced to her by friend and Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager

Before being set up by Bush Hager, the journalist and author had not been on a date since breaking up with ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman in December 2021

'Someone who's not polite,' she revealed is typically at the top of the red flag list. 'If they don’t hold the door, if they don't listen, if they start eating before I eat. You got to be polite. I'm a manners person.'

She added, 'I never saw my mom open a car door. My dad always opened it. So manners matter.'

Kotb, who's back out  dating as a single mother of two, shares daughters Hope, four, and Haley, seven, with Schiffman, whom she dated for eight years, including the last two as an engaged couple.

Viewers got a sign that her romance may be in jeopardy when many of them noticed she wasn't wearing her engagement ring on air in January 2022. 

Kotb is currently promoting her new children's book - Hope Is A Rainbow with illustration by Chloe Dominique - which has already been deemed an instant New York Times Bestseller

Along with Hope Is A Rainbow, Kotb is the author of two adult New York Times bestselling books, including Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee

'Joel and I have had a lot of prayerful and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we're better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple, so we decided we are going to start this new year ... on our new path as loving parents to our adorable, delightful children, and as friends,' Kotb revealed at the time.

'They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, for a season or for a lifetime, and I feel like ours was meant to be there for a season.'

The proud mom is basking in the success of her latest book to reach the #1 New York Times bestselling status. Illustrated by Chloe Dominique, Hope Is A Rainbow is a book 'about finding hope in ordinary places,' according to Cavalier House Books.

'Hoda Kotb's new book is a lyrical celebration of hope in children and teaching the youngest readers how to reach for their dreams - whether they are as big as the night sky or as small as a bowl of purple ice cream. It's a lesson in optimism and what a positive outlook can bring.'