FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES 

New York. Cue the Jay-Z.

Last weekend the family set off for a few days in New York... Empire State of Mind feels appropriate.

The game plan? Noah Kahan on Sunday night, a few memorable meals, plenty of walking, and, naturally, shopping for my ladies. 👀

We caught the first flight out of Billy Bishop. Living next to the island airport is one of life’s little luxuries 20 minutes from home to the gate, smooth flight, and straight into La Guardia.

For this trip we stayed at the hotel above the New York Athletic Club. It’s a bit of a hidden gem. The rooms are larger than your typical Manhattan shoebox, the location across from Central Park is fantastic (you all know how much I love that park), and the price was surprisingly reasonable. Best of all, they let us check in early.

With bags dropped, we were off.

The family marched all the way down to SoHo, and even my son, normally the least enthusiastic walker in the group was loving every minute of it. We somehow knocked off over 30,000 steps on Friday alone.

At one point Oscar and I slipped away from the girls with one mission: pizza.

Lucia’s. Boomshakala.

Oscar found it online, and I’m telling you right now… it’s the best slice of pizza I’ve ever had.

Sorry, Grahm’s.

Sorry, Prince Street.

That vodka pepperoni slice was everything you want in New York pizza. Crispy, cheesy, perfectly balanced and just ridiculously delicious. We got there just before the lineup exploded.

Oscar agreed. Best slice of his life too.

Lucia’s… thank you. You officially gave me another reason to come back to New York.

Yes, yes… we also waited in ridiculous lineups for trendy matcha’s, Instagram-famous cakes and all the other things my children somehow convince me are “must tries.” I honestly don’t know where they get it 🤦‍♀️-- Tik Tok 👀🫵

Unfortunately, no comedy clubs this trip. That’s already on the itinerary for next time.

Dinner that night took an unexpected turn.

We missed our reservation at Pastis, so we wandered back uptown closer to the hotel and landed at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. My wife said she had been there for a work dinner in the past. 

Sometimes the best meals are the ones you never planned. Everyone knows I hate resos - NO MORE RESOS! 

During the week I imagine it’s packed Wall Street types closing deals over martinis. At night, it transforms into this buzzing mix of locals, tourists and people simply looking for a great steak. That’s one of the things I love about New York restaurants: they wear different personalities depending on the hour.

The meal? Outstanding.

Beautiful steaks, a couple of little lobster tails (because… why not?), potato gratin, broccolini, Caesar salad and, despite having absolutely no room left, their famous butter cake.

High ceilings. Loud energy. Great service. Still packed at 10 p.m.

A wonderful surprise.

And yes… getting a reservation in New York these days feels harder than getting Taylor Swift tickets.

Night two was one I’d been looking forward to.

A great friend—and travel advisor extraordinaire @ES 🫵 worked some magic and somehow got us into The Polo Bar.

Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely.

The pigs in a blanket, the chop salad, the burger, Dover sole, chicken paillard… it’s classic American comfort food done beautifully.

The upstairs cocktail bar may actually be my favourite part. Next visit, that’s where you’ll find me.

One confession though…

The main dining room is downstairs.

Now, I realize this is completely irrational, but I simply don’t like basements.

Homes.

Restaurants.

Anywhere.

I’m an above-ground kind of guy. I HATE baseMENTS

Don’t let that stop you from going/ The Polo Bar is iconic and absolutely worth the reservation. I’m just a little weird and can't understand why anyone ever wants to be in a basement. 

Meanwhile, Oscar and I decided to sell our Noah Kahan tickets.

Instead, we spent the evening wandering New York together before finding somewhere to watch the World Cup Final.

I looked at tickets for soccer; I couldn't help it. 

The cheapest seats?

Around $10,000 each.

For that price…

The boy got some Raising Canes instead.

I’m crazy.

Just not that crazy.

The whistles. The honking. The loud conversations. The sea of Hokas walking every block. It all somehow works.

I love New York.

Sunday lunch wrapped up the weekend at Cipriani SoHo, a tradition every time I’m in town.

Twenty years ago, I sat on that patio, and Steve Nash was at the next table.

This time, the city was buzzing with celebrities heading to the World Cup Final.

We started with the artichoke salad and fried shrimp, followed by incredible tagliatelle, while I couldn’t resist the fagioli soup.

Classic and Elegant. Cipriani's always delivers, especially this location. Patio seating please 🙏 

I’ve been lucky enough to eat in some wonderful cities around the world, but New York still has a way of reminding me why it’s one of the greatest food cities on the planet.

I already can’t wait to go back.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

One of the biggest entertainment deals in recent memory has encountered a plot twist. A U.S. judge has temporarily paused the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general challenged the deal over competition concerns.

If approved, the merger would bring a lot of familiar entertainment names under one roof. Think Paramount+ and HBO Max, movie studios, and major television networks including CBS, MTV, CNN, and HBO. Essentially, your streaming subscriptions may still be separate, but the companies behind them could become much more closely related.

Opponents argue that combining two entertainment giants could mean less competition, potentially affecting movie theatres, television distributors, filmmakers, and ultimately viewers. The entertainment industry has already undergone years of consolidation, so critics are questioning whether making another media super-company is really the sequel anyone asked for.

Paramount, however, strongly disagrees. The company argues that the merger would actually strengthen competition, benefit consumers and creators, and help it become a more formidable rival to streaming heavyweights like Netflix.

For now, the judge has ordered a 14-day pause, but the states could seek an additional delay as the legal battle continues. Paramount had hoped to close the transaction by September, meaning this temporary roadblock could complicate that timeline.

So, Hollywood’s latest blockbuster isn't playing in theatres—it's happening in a courtroom. Whether this $110 billion crossover gets renewed for a full season or cancelled before the premiere remains to be seen. 🎬🍿⚖️

Check it out!

On The Scene “Party of The Week”

Here is your backstage access to the 3rd Annual Couture for a Cause: Yorkville Fashion Show Benefiting CAMH - shots 📸 by George Pimentel. 

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

What a little cutie... Good price too.

Check it out!

5 mil on Alton... The world has gone mad, but it is Miami ;) 

Check it out!

WORD OF THE WEEK

Raffish

What It Means

Raffish describes people and things that show a careless but usually attractive unconventionality.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

Great for a workout or top down kinda night ;) ... Let's go! 

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.

"With all the gurus, therapists, life coaches and spiritual healers out there who love to give advice including me, I think one of the most important things is rest.

I mean, if you are sleeping all day and don't get out of bed, I would probably recommend the opposite.

But, it you like to be busy, present and do many things then I think it is important to prioritize rest.

When I was flying back and forth from Paris for several years, being busy on one side and always tired on the other, in some way, I wore myself out. I didn't want to miss the fun stuff and excitement on both sides of the world but I forgot to rest.

Sleeping on a plane doesn't really qualify.

Now when I nap each day, I turn off my phone. When I do my 9 holes, I try to stay off the phone. When I go to bed, I turn off my phone completely using my Casio;) to wake up.

My phone is generally completely off for 10 hours a day.

OFF. 8 for sleep. 1 hour for nap. 1 hour for sport. This makes me feel very restful so that I can be full of energy when it is back on.

Naps and rest are very important when it comes to taking care of your body.

When I travel with my mom she often calms me down and says hey Frankie just sit, rest, grab a paper and a tea and spend 20 minutes in a relaxed mode before we hit the streets.

If you are like me and you like being full of energy and excitement, then you have to make time for some rest.”

OTHER POSH THINGS

Le Coq Sportif x Maradona: a Nostalgic Football Pop-Up on Boulevard Saint-Germain

If you're wandering through Paris's Saint-Germain this summer, don't be surprised if you suddenly feel like you've stepped into football history.

Le Coq Sportif has transformed its flagship boutique on Boulevard Saint-Germain into a love letter to one of the greatest players the game has ever seen: Diego Maradona. The occasion? Forty years since his unforgettable 1986 World Cup performance—yes, that match against England, where he scored both the controversial "Hand of God" goal and the breathtaking "Goal of the Century."

What makes this collaboration so special is that it's not just another celebrity collection. Back in 1986, Maradona was actually wearing Le Coq Sportif when he led Argentina to World Cup glory, so this partnership feels like a genuine reunion rather than a marketing exercise.

The moment you walk into the boutique, you're surrounded by memories. Vintage photographs, old newspaper front pages, Panini stickers and archive images line the walls, while the famous number 10 shirt hangs proudly overhead. Even the shopfront has been dressed in Argentina's iconic sky-blue and white stripes, making it impossible to miss as you stroll down Boulevard Saint-Germain.

The capsule collection is equally nostalgic. You'll find beautifully recreated versions of the legendary 1986 long-sleeved jersey alongside relaxed T-shirts, hoodies and everyday pieces that bring a little football heritage into your wardrobe without feeling like you're heading onto the pitch. It's the sort of collection that will appeal just as much to fashion lovers as it will to lifelong football fans.

Whether you're a lifelong admirer of Maradona or simply appreciate beautifully told stories through fashion, there's something quietly compelling about the collection.

What makes this collaboration particularly memorable is its emotional resonance. It isn't simply about commemorating a footballer; it's about celebrating a moment that united a nation, captivated the world and continues to inspire generations of fans four decades later.

For visitors exploring the Left Bank, it's a worthwhile stop—not just to browse the collection, but to experience a beautifully curated tribute where fashion, history and sporting greatness come together in true Parisian style.

It's a lovely reminder that sport, fashion and culture often overlap in the most unexpected ways—and few players have left a legacy quite like Maradona.

TRIVIA

Category: Random Facts!

“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

Check Out The Tempo

With the giant FIFA spectacle over with – congratulations Spain – it’s time to go back to supporting our local teams and giving them the love they deserve (or maybe don’t deserve hahaha).

There are many of us who can’t get enough of the players on the pitch, and the MLS season has returned to action following its World Cup hiatus. Though you can catch Toronto FC games on Apple TV or TSN, they won’t be back home until August 15.

For live footy action, check out professional women’s team AFC Toronto, or one of the nearby Canadian Premier League or Ontario League One clubs. No, it won’t be the same as Portugal vs. Croatia, but they play with passion and you never know if you’re watching the next big star before they break out. The “I was there when . . .” stories are always great to tell over a beverage or three.

However, there are probably plenty of the casual fans out there who want a break from soccer. In that case, the Toronto Argonauts are several games into their season and the CFL is an exciting brand of football.

Plus, the Toronto Blue Jays are always fun to watch in person, and hopefully they can turn the season around to get back into the playoff race before September. After last year’s wonderful run that reminded us why October baseball in Toronto is so special, it would be a shame for them not to be back in the postseason.

If none of those options sound good, there is one Toronto team that should get you excited: the Toronto Tempo.

The WNBA’s newest franchise has had a decent beginning to life on the big stage. Though they sit at 10-16 with a lot of the season left, they were sitting around the .500 mark before the injury bug hit to some key players.

Still, they’re worth going to see if only to catch a glimpse of all-star Marina Mabrey, who is breaking out this year. Mabrey is averaging 21 points per game, which is seven more ppg than her career average, along with 3.6 assist per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. Very solid numbers.

Mabrey is taking part in the three-point competition and the all-star game this weekend, with the game scheduled for tip-off at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25.

The Tempo’s next home game is against Minnesota on July 30 at Scotiabank Arena with tickets still available for as low as $43 at the time of this writing. But don’t delay as the Tempo fanbase is sure to snatch up those seats.

They broke the WNBA single-game attendance record in a game against Dallas at Montreal’s Bell Centre a few weeks ago, with 20,996 packing the stadium. They play most of their games at the Coca Cola Coliseum, averaging over 8,000 per game in attendance, just under the arena’s 8,500 capacity for basketball.

Everyone I know who has seen the Tempo play live certainly has enjoyed themselves, so it’s worth a night out to see them play.

By Chris Occhiuzzi

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

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

WEATHER THIS WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We don't know what's happening and even knowing that we still don't know.”

-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

If you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. Our NL goes out to over 10k business owners, friends, and other professionals in my network. We would love to have people from different walks of life, and we won't judge your writing. If you would like us to keep your articles anonymous, we can do so as well. Also, if you enjoy the newsletter and want to contribute $, please donate to www.camh.ca anytime on our behalf AND please have your friends subscribe, it will mean the world to us. 

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.