Santos almost certainly was getting kick-backs from the restaurant, but at least in the business world, 32 meetings at the same restaurant isn't impossible to believe.

When one is raising money - either for business or politics - one is essentially running a dramatic production. So I want as much control over the "set" of that play as possible.

Using the same restaurant means the staff, whom I tip regularly and above average, know how I like things and will step in the right times. Great waiters are also experts at making certain people have a good time. That can be a huge help as you wouldn't believe how many rich people are actually unhappy, bored, or both.

And the owner will love me because I bring them so much business, and likely, new wealthy customers, too. They'll make it a habit to come over, make certain everything is great, give us special stuff, even talk me up.

Regulars will see this and want to know me because people like people that other people like. I'll likely shake a few hands on my way to my regular table.

All of this increases the "halo" around me. Without saying anything to the investor / donor, I'm demonstrating that I'm special and that people like me. That alone won't make the invest/donate, but it definitely helps, even if it means they're just happy to take another meeting with me in the future.