Staten Island’s well-known foodie influencer, Danny Mondello, who manages the popular TikTok account Meals_by_cug, recently revealed that he received a restaurant recommendation from none other than Drake himself. Despite the excitement of this unexpected contact, Mondello is still waiting for the reservation to come through. This revelation was made during Mondello’s appearance on “Rent Free,” a monthly online game show hosted by Ankur Jain, the founder of Bilt Rewards.
During the show, Mondello shared his favorite New York restaurants, including Emilio’s Ballato on Houston Street, Lucali in Brooklyn, and Lee’s Tavern, a sports bar and pizza joint on Staten Island. These local hotspots have undoubtedly contributed to Mondello’s reputation as a reputable food influencer. However, he also took the opportunity to mention the unexpected encounter with the Canadian rapper.
A Random DM from Drake
Jain asked Mondello about the most famous person who had slid into his DMs, to which Mondello responded, “Drake, I guess?” He further explained that Drake contacted him out of the blue and suggested visiting Sotto Sotto, a well-known restaurant in Toronto. Sotto Sotto happens to be a celebrity favorite, and Drake himself has been spotted there numerous times. However, despite the excitement and the allure of visiting a celebrity hotspot, Mondello revealed that he had not yet taken up Drake’s recommendation.
It seems that, in this case, Drake did not follow through with his invitation. Mondello humorously mentioned that the rapper “basically ghosted” him. Despite the disappointment, Mondello took it in stride and even used some Italian slang to describe the situation, stating that Drake treated him like a “puttane,” which translates to “prostitute.”
Fortunately, there was a silver lining for Mondello during his appearance on “Rent Free.” He won free rent for eight people, a significant prize that undoubtedly brought some joy and compensation for the missed opportunity. The show itself is hosted by Bilt, a startup that allows users to earn rewards points on rent payments. Previous episodes of “Rent Free” have featured renowned figures such as Kevin O’Leary, a judge on the popular television show “Shark Tank.”
Although Mondello may still be waiting for Drake to come through with the promised reservation at Sotto Sotto, his loyal followers and fans eagerly anticipate his future culinary adventures. As a talented food influencer, Mondello continues to explore the vibrant food scene, both in his hometown of Staten Island and beyond, providing his audience with delightful food recommendations and insights. As for Drake, let’s hope he remembers to follow through on his next restaurant recommendation.
The story of Danny Mondello receiving a DM from Drake is intriguing, as it showcases the intersection of two different worlds: food influencers and celebrities. Mondello’s experience serves as a reminder that even for a famous foodie, the excitement of connecting with a major celebrity doesn’t always guarantee a reservation. Nonetheless, Mondello’s success on “Rent Free” demonstrates his inherent talent and dedication to his craft. As for Drake, perhaps he’ll eventually make it up to Mondello with a culinary experience that lives up to the hype.