FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES 

Patio Season Is Here

Summer is here, and what do we think about when summer arrives?

Shorts, bikinis, pools, warm nights, campfires, and of course… patios.

People often ask me about my favourite patios, so I thought I’d put together a list. The patios I spend the most time at aren’t necessarily about the food. In fact, some of them don’t have the greatest food at all. For me, location, sunshine, shade, a good breeze, comfortable seating, and overall ambiance are what make a patio special.

Of course, the company matters most. Eating outside with friends is simply more fun. But if you’re looking for patios where SFD can often be found, here are some of my favourites.

The patio I probably spend the most time on is at ONE Restaurant at the Hazelton in Yorkville. It’s a lovely corner patio in one of Toronto’s nicest neighbourhoods, with great shade and endless opportunities for people-watching.

In Paris, I love the patio at L’Avenue. It has a very similar vibe to ONE, although getting a table can be more challenging, especially if you’re not dressed the part. My usual wardrobe tends to attract a few looks, so I have to step it up a notch in Paris. I ate there three times on my last trip. I’m a sucker for great people-watching and the occasional celebrity sighting.

Paris, of course, is full of incredible patios and rooftop spaces. Some of my favourites include Gigi up on the rooftop, Siena with its peaceful courtyard, Le Coq near Trocadéro, Café Central on Rue Cler (as many of you already know), Café Caillou, and Café de l’Esplanade. Down south, I always enjoy Croisette 55 in Cannes.

In Miami, I really enjoy the patio at Carbone. It’s well covered and comfortable. I also love Smith & Wollensky’s waterfront patio. Sushi Bichi has one of my favourite dining experiences in the city—the patio can get a little windy, but the food is outstanding. Boater’s Grill in Key Biscayne is always fun, and I love spending time on the patio at The Standard on Venetian Islands. SeaSpice and Kiki both offer fantastic waterfront settings as well.

For a morning coffee or breakfast, Pura Vida in Sunset Harbour has a great vibe. And of course, Monty’s is always fun for a quick order of wings while watching the sun set over the skyline.

Back in Toronto, a few nostalgic favourites come to mind. The Fox and John’s patio (formerly Future Bakery) still brings back memories, and it gets great afternoon sun. I love the patio at Snug Harbour, and The Port in Pickering remains one of the area’s hidden gems.

Ozzy’s in Kensington is always lively, and I’m a fan of the patios at Myth, Cherry Bomb, and many of the spots at The Well, which can be fantastic on a sunny day.

I used to love the patios along the Danforth, although I’m not sure if they still have the same energy they once did. Does anyone know? Pantheon must still be going strong. Lahore Tikka House always had a fun patio, Hemingway’s remains a Toronto staple (and still serves great wings), and Kasa Moto continues to be one of the city’s premier patio destinations.

If I were visiting Toronto and looking for charming patio experiences, I’d spend an afternoon walking Ossington and Dundas West, stopping wherever looked inviting. There are so many cool little spots tucked into those neighbourhoods.

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Greek food, and Mamakas would definitely be on my list. In my opinion, they serve some of the best small plates in the city.

I’d love to hear about your favourite patios as well. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to enjoy some of the places where I spend my summer days.

As I write this, I’m sitting in the lobby of the Royal York Hotel, one of my favourite spots for a tea and a newspaper. I just took a great photo with a delegation visiting from Ghana, and now I’m curious to see how they do tonight.

Have a fantastic patio season.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

AI may be showing up everywhere these days, but when it comes to romance, many people are drawing a line.

A new survey from Match Group — the parent company behind Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid — found that nearly half of U.S. singles have a negative view of AI's growing role in dating.

That doesn't mean people are rejecting the technology altogether. In fact, many respondents said they're perfectly happy to let AI help with the more awkward parts of modern dating, such as improving profiles, choosing photos, or suggesting conversation starters when a chat starts to fizzle out.

Where things get uncomfortable is when AI starts replacing actual human connection.

The survey found that around 40% of singles wouldn't date someone who uses an AI companion app, and most respondents expressed little interest in the idea of forming romantic relationships with chatbots. While AI-powered dating assistants may be gaining traction, the concept of outsourcing emotional connections to algorithms appears to be a much harder sell.

The findings arrive as dating apps continue to invest heavily in AI features. Companies across the industry are exploring everything from profile coaching to AI-powered matchmaking, all in hopes of making online dating a little less exhausting.

The message from users, however, seems pretty clear: use AI to help break the ice, not to become the date.

After all, "We met on a dating app" has become a completely normal love story. "My bot matched with your bot" may take a little longer to catch on. ❤️🤖📱

Check it out!

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

I've always loved this building, in fact my friends parents live there. I'm a sucker for bloor west village... This is a cutie, Patio ;) and all. 

Check it out!

Newly completed and Tarion warranted, this stunning Cricket Club residence offers over 8,500 sq. ft. of thoughtfully designed living space featuring five ensuite bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen with hidden prep kitchen, and exceptional indoor-outdoor living. Luxury amenities include a home theatre, gym, heated Gib-San pool, private elevator, and heated driveway on a rare 50 x 150 ft. lot.

Check it out!

This beautifully updated Victorian combines historic charm with modern comfort, featuring original stained glass, grand principal rooms, four bedrooms, and exceptional indoor-outdoor living. Situated on a rare 26 x 168 ft. lot with a private drive in the heart of the Junction, it offers a unique opportunity in one of Toronto's most desirable neighbourhoods.

Check it out!

WORD OF THE WEEK

Indomitable

What It Means

Indomitable is a formal word used to describe something that is impossible to defeat or discourage.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

Summer time is so great for Yacht rock and here is a classic on my Spotify list for sure. 

100 WEEKS OF POSITIVE MESSAGES

Frankie did 100 days of positive messages 3 years ago. He wanted to center them around mental health and positivity. We will post them each week for 100 weeks.

"The Baingan Bhartha at Nirvana in Mississauga is the greatest dish on the planet.

The Dal at Bhukara in New Delhi cannot be beat.

And,

I would swim in the gravy from the Butter chicken at Lahore Tikka house.

Tell me about your favourite food and where I can find it.

Have a flavourful day.”

TRIVIA

Category: Movies Translated!

“UNTUCKED” GOLF TOURNAMENT 2026

We have few foursomes left at the "untucked" golf tournament this year. If you would like more details or a spot check out the website @ www.untuckedgolf.com 

CHRIS’ CORNER

World Cup Vibes Not Where They Should Be

My one friend told me the host cities are never as excited about a World Cup as the people visiting. He may be right. The increased traffic congestion, disruption to daily routines, having to leave super early or risk being late for work, and the list goes on. 

I find that has been the case – mostly – in Toronto when looking at it from a holistic view. The energy isn’t as palpable as one would suspect it would be. And perhaps all the reasons listed above are factors. Thrown in rain and spring/fall like weather and there lies the answer. 

Let me be clear: there is plenty of excitement for Team Canada as well as a handful of the big footballing nations with huge support groups in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, and Canada as a whole. However, with a very much watered-down 48-nation World Cup and popular teams missing like Italia (you love them or hate them, but are always interested), Poland (the community here is fantastic), and even Denmark, it’s hard to feel the happy vibe. 

Throw in grossly overpriced tickets, a ticketed Fan Fest that sees the free general admission tickets fly away so quick the working families don’t have time to get them, the ridiculous advertising scheme of unnecessary “hydration breaks” that are really just “tv timeouts,” and it’s all adding up to be less of a celebration of football and more a giant money grab. 

I know, I know, FIFA has always been a giant money grab, but usually the actual football on the pitch and excitement generated from the tournament – especially when it was 32 teams or less – made up for the greediness.  

Many true football fans who follow the sport religiously are telling me they won’t be excited until the round-of-16 or quarterfinals – when only the best teams in the tournament remain the stakes are super high. For now, they’re picking and choosing which matches to get into and skipping the others. 

It’s kind of unfortunate that this is the prevailing energy so far, but it’s still early. The second round of group stage matches just began, so there is time for the vibe to get to an appropriate level for a World Cup.  

If not, at least we know why

By Chris Occhiuzzi

For more sports, check out my Patreon: https://patreon.com/therealchrisoshow

Use SFD2026 for a Membership discount and support independent media!

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If you look pretty closely, everyone is just trying to figure it out...”

-SFD 

NEED A TENT?

If you're looking for a wedding tent or corporate party tent this summer or fall. Make sure to follow up with my little brother and www.thetentrenters.com ask for David. 

CONTRIBUTIONS

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Thank you

- Frankie

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Super Frankie is lazy. He loves technology because it makes life simpler. Technology is spawned from ideas that make life easier. He is the founder of Busys.ca which is a company that sells/leases and services printers, laptops, document management software, copiers, IT services, and phone systems throughout North America and Europe.

LET’S CONNECT

*These articles, jokes, and stories are written by individuals handpicked by SFD for their unique way of thinking and writing. While SFD appreciates their styles, he does not necessarily endorse their opinions. This newsletter is designed to bring a smile to your face. If you prefer not to receive this weekly newsletter, please feel free to unsubscribe. You will be missed.