FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES 

Summa, summa, summa time… Let's just sit back and unwind ;) ☀️

What do you do with the kiddos this summer?

For a lot of people, the answer is simple… Disney.

I had some friends driving through Florida from India 🇮🇳 last week, so I figured I’d meet them in Orlando for a couple of dinners. Thankfully, I had an Orlando native (Dawood) steering me in the right direction. I didn’t get to every restaurant on the list, but here are the winners;) and the ones still on my hit list.

The trip started with the Mexico 🇲🇽 soccer match at Kavas Tacos & Tequila.

I wasn’t expecting much.

Boy, was I wrong.

The place was buzzing, the food was excellent, the margaritas were flowing, and the atmosphere had the kind of energy that makes you accidentally stay for “just one more.” Then I found out the owners were Canadians. Figures… we seem to find a way to invade all the good places.

I stayed at the Swan Reserve. My first thought was that my buddy booked it because he’s addicted to Marriott Bonvoy points. (He’s probably calculating points during dinner.) Turns out, it was a really solid choice. Right next door is the regular Swan, which is a little more family-oriented if you’re travelling with kids.

Dinner one was Il Mulino, at the swan. 

If it’s the same Il Mulino that’s scattered around North America, they’re doing something right. Meatballs the size of softballs, comforting pasta, pizza that everyone at the table can agree on, and enough good red wine to remind you that vacation calories don’t count.

Orlando is built around families, and Il Mulino gets that. Nobody’s trying too hard. They just serve food that makes everyone happy.

Now, I didn’t make it to Christini’s, but about six different people told me I committed a crime by skipping it. Apparently, it’s old-school Italian at its finest, complete with accordion-playing waiters. That’s enough for me, I already know I’ll be back.

Then there was Rocco’s Tacos.

I’ve always loved the West Palm location, and Orlando delivered the same experience. Fresh tableside guacamole, sizzling fajitas, cold drinks… if someone tells you they don’t like Rocco’s, I’d politely ask them what’s wrong with them.

But the surprise MVP of the trip?

Eddie V’s.

What a place.

It instantly reminded me of Brix in Markham back in the day.

Remember Brix?

Thursday afternoons started innocently enough. Someone would say, “Let’s just have one glass of wine,” and before you knew it, it was 9:00 p.m., you’d solved three business problems, made two new friends, and somehow ordered dessert.

Eddie V’s has that same magic.

White tablecloths, phenomenal wine list, great music, polished service, and the kind of room where people actually look like they’re enjoying themselves instead of staring at their phones.

Another recommendation was Capa, the rooftop restaurant at the Four Seasons. I ran out of time, but everyone swears it’s one of the best meals in Orlando. It’s officially on the list for next time.

I’ll admit it…

I wasn’t expecting Orlando’s food scene to impress me.

When someone says “Orlando,” your brain immediately goes to Mickey Mouse, roller coasters, and waiting in line for overpriced turkey legs.

Turns out there’s a really good dining scene hiding behind all of that.

One final note…

My buddy is an entrepreneur, realtor, and podcaster.

(Seriously… who isn’t these days?)

We managed to squeeze in a podcast while I was there. I’m looking a touch bloated on camera/ Florida humidity and Italian food is a dangerous combination, who is kidding who, it's not 6 days of bloat but there are a few laughs in there and who is counting anyways. 

If you’ve got a few minutes, check it out on my Instagram or YouTube page when it drops.

And if you’re heading to Orlando this summer, don’t just eat inside the parks.

There’s some really good food waiting once you venture outside the castle.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

After a dramatic test flight in May, SpaceX has officially been cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to launch its massive Starship rocket once again.

The previous mission was a mix of triumph and turbulence. Starship successfully reached space, deployed its test payload, and achieved several key milestones. But on its return, the massive Super Heavy booster failed to restart its engines properly and splashed into the Gulf instead of completing its planned landing.

After investigating, SpaceX identified issues with the booster's engine startup sequence and made a series of hardware and software changes to improve reliability. The FAA agreed that the fixes addressed the likely causes of the failure, giving the green light for another test flight.

The upcoming mission will be an important one. For the first time, Starship will carry third-generation Starlink satellites, designed to provide faster internet speeds and greater network capacity. Several of the satellites will even include cameras to capture views of Starship during flight.

The launch also comes at a notable moment for the company. Following its recent public listing, SpaceX's approach to rocket development—often summarized as "fly, fail, fix"—is now being watched not only by space enthusiasts but also by investors.

While most aerospace companies try to avoid spectacular failures, SpaceX has built its reputation on learning from them. Every explosion, hard landing, or unexpected splashdown becomes another engineering lesson that feeds into the next launch.

So, if you happen to see another Starship test lighting up the sky, remember: for SpaceX, a perfect flight is nice—but a flight that teaches something new is just as valuable. 🚀✨

Check it out!

On The Scene “Party of The Week”

Here is your backstage access to the John Tavares Foundation Hosting the Annual Brighter Futures Gala - shots 📸 by George Pimentel. 

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

I know what you're thinking. Why does Frankie put up some of these listings. Well, the truth is, I like to see potential in things that others may not notice. This one has a lot of that if you have some great designers, a few bucks and want a bit piece of real estate in the downtown core. 

Check it out!

Check it out!

WORD OF THE WEEK

Implacable

What It Means

Someone or something described as implacable is not capable of being appeased or changed.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

This song has hit my Spotify list hard. I'm not even embarrassed by it. 

I8MPS.COM

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.

"There are people in your life that can help point you in the right direction.

Someone who wants you to look good, who gives you real advice, lets you make mistakes and doesn't take advantage of you the instant they can.

It doesn't take a scientist to spot the takers from the givers.

There are those people who want to see the negatives in each situation and those who somehow find a way to see the positives.

YOU can choose who gets your time and headspace. It is your brain after all.

Cherish the people who invite you to parties, organize fun things and welcome you into their lives.

The best piece of advice I will give you for your Monday morning would be to stick around those people who have the "win - win" attitude.

Are you headed in the right direction?”

OTHER POSH THINGS

David Hockney's Colourful World Lives On at the Serpentine

The art world recently lost one of its brightest and most beloved figures. David Hockney, whose bold colours, innovative vision and unmistakable optimism transformed contemporary art, passed away earlier this year at the age of 88. Yet stepping into the Serpentine Gallery's latest exhibition feels less like a farewell and more like a celebration of a life spent finding beauty in the world around us.

There are few artists capable of making everyday life feel extraordinary quite like Hockney.

The British artist's exhibition at London's Serpentine Gallery is a joyful reminder that beauty can be found almost anywhere: in a flowering tree, a changing season, a friend sitting for a portrait, or even a simple table covered with a patterned cloth.

Titled A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting, the exhibition invites visitors to slow down, look closely and reconnect with the simple beauty of the world around them.
At the centre of the exhibition is A Year in Normandie, Hockney's remarkable 90-metre-long artwork inspired by the landscape surrounding his home in rural France. Stretching through the gallery like a visual journey through time, it captures an entire year of nature unfolding before our eyes. Blossom appears, leaves change colour, winter arrives and spring returns once again. There are no dramatic scenes or famous landmarks—just the quiet magic of the natural world observed by an artist who never stopped looking.

There is also a series of more intimate works, including vibrant still lifes and portraits that demonstrate Hockney's lifelong fascination with colour, perspective and human connection. At 88, the artist's curiosity and playful experimentation remained wonderfully obvious - and I especially loved the tables draped with richly patterned tablecloths, topped with flowers, fruit and everyday objects - these still lifes transform ordinary domestic scenes into something almost theatrical. The folds of the fabric ripple across the canvas, creating movement and energy, while the vivid colours seem to glow from within. They are joyful, intimate works that remind us that art does not always need grand subjects to make a lasting impression.

That is perhaps Hockney's greatest gift. His work feels accessible without ever being simplistic.

Whether working with paint, photography or digital technology, he remained an artist who was constantly experimenting, constantly evolving and constantly finding new ways to capture the beauty of everyday life.

Set within the leafy surroundings of Kensington Gardens, the exhibition is also the perfect excuse for a summer stroll through one of London's most beautiful parks.

In a cultural landscape often dominated by darkness and complexity, David Hockney leaves us with something refreshingly different: colour, joy and a reminder to pay attention to the world around us.

And what a wonderful legacy that is.

If you're looking for a reason to wander through Hyde Park this summer, make time for David Hockney. You may arrive expecting an art exhibition, but leave feeling as though you've spent a year in the French countryside.

David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting runs at the Serpentine North Gallery until 23 August 2026. Admission is free.

By: Nirit Sumeruk Abbou

TRIVIA

Category: Countries!

“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

History on the Line in World Cup FInal

Spain v. Argentina. Leo Messi v. Lamine Yamal. European Champions vs. defending World Cup (and South American) Champions.

It’s also the most complete football team in the world right now v. the darlings of FIFA.

Most importantly to many fans – especially those of a certain four-time winning nation that did not qualify – is the fact that Spain only has one World Cup and Argentina has four. This means, Italians (and even Germans) should be cheering for Spain, so that Argentina doesn’t tie them for number of World Cup trophy victories.

On the flip side of that coin, particularly for the Italians and Germans, is the fact that Argentina’s history includes strong lines of descendants from those European nations, as well as from Spain. In fact, on this Argentina squad, there are 11 players plus their manager Lionel Scaloni, with Italian roots.

Oh, and yes, the G.O.A.T. is one of them for those keeping track. Plus, as I’ve mentioned on The Chris O Show Podcast, the biggest club in Argentinian football – Boca Juniors – was founded by blue collar Italian immigrants.

This is why I’ve always had a strong affinity towards the Argentinian team and its player. When you know their bloodlines originated from the same nation as ours, it’s hard not to cheer for them – just like we cheer for Italian-Canadians and Italian-Americans over others.

That all being said, it would be preferential if they didn’t win their fourth World Cup as well as being the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive world titles. The only other nation to do it was Italy in 1934 and 1938.

Note: To check out a cool list ranking the World Cup winning teams based on hardest to easiest paths to the trophy, visit: Ranking the World Cup Winners.

Still, if Argentina win, I won’t be that upset. I love a lot of their players, especially those who have or currently play in Serie A. I’ve also seen Messi play live – twice – and I tend to lean my support towards players I’ve seen perform at a very high level in person (at least on the second occasion he did).

So on that note, the only thing I’m really hoping for is a fantastic football match-up decided by great plays and passion, not by referees and video reviews. Something similar to the brilliant Argentina-France final from four years ago in Qatar that ended up 3-3 and needed a shootout to decide the winner.

That would be the best end to a tournament that’s had a lot of ups and downs on and off the pitch.

For more articles, and podcasts, visit: www.patreon.com/therealchrisoshow

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

WEATHER THIS WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Starting something is easy, finishing it is what's hard.”

- Plato

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.