FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES

Visiting Paris soon? I’ve had lots of inquiries about Paris, especially from people who have watched my Instagram over the last week. The below information has been pulled together by Brianna from emails sent over the years with some of her recommendations. Some of it quite current and other aspects are from over 7 years ago when we lived there so it may be out of date. If there is anything specific you are looking for, let me know or email Bri ;)... Please don’t hesitate to reach out...to her :) 

Things to do:
• Museums: l’Orangerie, musée d’Orsay, Louvre (don’t just head to the Monalisa, be sure not to miss Napoleon’s apartments), le petit palais, Rodin (but personally I would just do the gardens and skip the inside).  A lesser-known museum, but my absolute favourite, is Musee Jacquemart-Andre on Boulevard Haussmann.  I always get the audio guide when we go. 
• My favourite Paris landmarks: Place Vendome, place des Vosges, opera Garnier, Tuileries, Sacre Coeur, Montmartre, Notre Dame, Jardin du palais royale, Jardin Luxembourg, st Germain, rue Cler (my favourite street in Paris), rue mouffetard, rue Montorgueil, Latin quarter, le Marais, Bastille, Ile du cite, Ile st Louis (stop at Berthillon for the most famous ice cream in Paris), parc monceau, les Berges sur Seine (between Eiffel tower and the louvre.  Stroll along on a Sunday or rent bikes/scooters.  Lots going on and great place to stop with a bottle of wine and picnic too).

Day trips (if you have time): Versailles, Giverny, Fontainebleau

Shopping:
• Paris is naturally my favourite place to shop!  In particular I recommend trips to the iconic Parisian department stores Galleries Lafayette and Printemps on Boul. Haussmann and the recently revived La Samaritaine and be sure to head to their rooftop for my favourite Parisian views and photo opp.  My all-time fave is Bon Marché on the rive gauche in St. Germain, lots of smaller known French designers.  I also love meandering around the smaller boutiques along Rue St. Dominique (very close to my place in the 7th) and in Saint Germain.  If you are interested in anything in particular let me know and I can give you some tips.
• If you love flea markets don’t miss a trip to the Marche aux Puces, the largest and oldest flea market in the world.  It is also open on Sunday and there is a great brunch/lunch restaurant there called Ma Cocotte which I highly recommend.
• La Vallee Village are wonderful high-end outlets (they are about 40 minutes drive outside of Paris, right next to Disneyland) but there are buses from Trocadero, or you can get a driver and work out a flat rate (although if you only have a few days, this may not be a priority but if you have time I have gotten some amazing bargains there over the years)

Here are some lunch/dinner dining recommendations:
• Anywhere along rue Cler.  This is our favourite street in Paris.   We start every trip to Paris with a meal or apéro at Café Centrale (the paillard de poulet is my favourite meal) this place is also highly recommended for a glass of wine and cheese plate on a sunny afternoon).  The kids can run next door and get an ice cream in the shape of a flower at Amorino .  Café du Marche on rue cler is also a favourite.  Pedestrian/market street.
• Café Lygnac on rue Saint Dominique
 • L’avenue (great people watching right on avenue montagne)
• Carette in place du Trocadero in the 16th (fantastic for lunch, morning coffee or afternoon drink)
• Angelina (my kids fave) - Hot chocolate, Chantilly and sweets but lunch menu also good.  Expect a lineup
• le Chardenoux in the 11th (close to Bastille) for dinner, really nice French bistro and very reasonable for quality.  
• Brasserie Lipp on st Germain is a Paris institution.  Highly recommend this for lunch or dinner.
• Bouillon-Chartier, another institution
• Mon square (the décor inspired my apartment to some extent).  New discovery in last couple visits.  https://www.monsquarerestaurant.com/
• Bistro Paul Bert (often ranked top bistro in Paris)
• Chez L’ami Jean excellent French cuisine – small need to book 
• If you are in and around the 6th and St. Germain, be sure to do an apéro at la palette.  It's a Parisian institution.  Bathrooms are awful but place is great
• In the Marais, our favourite Israeli spot is Chez Marianne (it is at the corner of rue des rosiers which is the same street that the famous l’as du falafel is on)
• For an afternoon glass of wine or mid-morning coffee stop at deux maggots or café de flore on St. Germain.  You will find every visitor to Paris there but for good reason.  Other than a quick croissant or cheese plate, in general I don’t recommend eating a meal here but it’s a fabulous place to stop, sit and enjoy the view/people watching (we once were seated next to Francis Ford Coppola and his family)
• I also recommend planning a stroll through gallerie Vivienne and stopping for a light bite or afternoon glass of wine there.
• Other great brasseries (that most guidebooks will also tell you about) are la Coupole by Montparnasse, Bofinger in Bastille, Vaudeville near la bourse or Chartier by les grands magasins.  All are very good and will give you the quintessential French brasserie experience 
• In a brasserie league of its own is Gallopin. This is the quintessential French brasserie to go to.  https://gallopin.com/ (my sis and I went last time I was in Paris – it is old school tuxedos and white tablecloths but becomes lively and convivial as the evening wears on, by the time we left, very late, the regulars were smoking indoors and dancing on the bar)
• Chez l’ami louis is considered one of the best restaurants in Paris (and I believe has made top 50 in the world), famous for its roast chicken and very difficult to snag a table at….but perhaps in august when Parisians regulars are away you may have a shot.  Here is a review that sums it up https://parisbymouth.com/lami-louis/

The below are all fancier upscale dinner spots (many are supper clubs that have a late-night scene with music etc.), they will all have good food and atmosphere and will all require reservations:
1) Le Piaf Paris - live piano, good food, amazing scene.  Downstairs becomes club.  Thursday or Friday’s best nights. https://lepiaf-restaurant.com/en/paris/ (note, this one is 18+)
2) Mondaine - live piano and singing, super fun, good food... can get wild.  https://mondaine-depariso.com/?utm_source=Sarbacane&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Ouverture%20Mondaine%20-%20NL (this one also 18+)
3) Golden Poppy at La Fantaisie hotel in the 9th.  perfect for lunch or dinner.  Or if you are just looking for lovely spot for an afternoon or pre-dinner apero head to the same address and go to Bar sur le Toit https://www.lafantaisie.com/restaurants#rooftop-bar
4) Le Bœuf Sur le Toit - excellent.  Also has live music.  https://boeufsurletoit.com/
5) Gigi Paris - fancy Italian with beautiful views.  This is a must!  A favourite of mine for sure.  Lunch on terrasse on a sunny afternoon or fabulous evening out.  https://gigi-restaurant.com/en/?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=GMB&y_source=1_MjU3NjI3OTMtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
6) Victoria - classic Parisian fare.  Overlooks Arc de Triomphe.  Music and DJ.  https://victoria-paris.com/
7) Hotel Costes - always a good bet.  Lunch (my preference) or dinner.  https://www.hotelcostes.com/en/restaurant-bar
8) Laperouse - landmark.  Churchill used to eat here when in Paris.  Beef wellington for 2 recommended. https://laperouse.com/en/accueil-en/
9) Siena – menu is Italian and classic supper club.  Beautiful interior.  Trendy.  I went on most recent trip to Paris and Bradley cooper and Gigi Hadid had been seated next to us (the night before 😉).  Favourite amongst celebrities.  It is located in place du Marché saint Honoré which is also an amazing square for an apero before or after dinner. https://restaurantsiena.com/
10) Manko - Peruvian.  Food is good.  fun scene.  https://manko-paris.com/en/manko-paris-home-en/
11) Loulou – Musee des arts decoratifs.  Beautiful spot must be on the terrasse to enjoy the view of the louvre/Eiffel tower.  https://www.loulou-paris.com/
12) Café Marly (very similar location to Loulou so I'd do one or the other, both great, again terrasse ideal) https://cafe-marly.com/en/
13) Giraffe https://girafe-restaurant.com/en/paris/  (last time I was in Paris I tried suite giraffe, which is their new place, views amazing)
14) Mun - on Champs Elysees https://restaurant-mun.com/en/  amazing views
15) Monsieur Bleu –next to the palais de Tokyo in the 16th  https://monsieurbleu-restaurant.com/en/  some people think it's become a bit tired but still a favourite of mine
16) Bonnie – in the So/Paris hotel in the Marais  https://bonnie-restaurant.com/  I took a friend for a bday dinner here last time and it’s a very beautiful place to sit with lovely views.

Drinks:
• For a cocktail before dinner (if only for the photos) I recommend stopping in Loiseau bleu on the roof of the Peninsula hotel that boasts a beautiful view.  https://www.peninsula.com/fr/paris/hotel-fine-dining/french-rooftop-loiseau-blanc
• Cheval Blanc rooftop for a cocktail, view is the best in Paris in my view (next to the Samaritaine department store).
• Ritz for a drink or tea / they also have a comptoir with amazing madeleines

I hope this is helpful, as I said, if there is anything specific you are looking for, please let me know!

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Ever wonder how your favorite AI chatbot would respond if you asked it a really awkward question? Like, say... something politically touchy? Well, someone did more than wonder.

A mysterious internet wizard going by the name xlr8harder (yes, really) built a test called SpeechMap, designed to poke and prod AI models like ChatGPT and Elon Musk’s Grok to see how they handle the hot-button stuff—civil rights, political protest, controversial opinions, and more.

Basically, it’s like a stress test, but instead of lifting weights, the bots are dodging landmines.

So, what did the results show? Turns out, some models play it safe, while others don’t hold back. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a bit more cautious lately, often tiptoeing around political topics like it’s walking on LEGO. Meanwhile, Grok 3—Musk’s very own creation—goes all in, answering nearly every prompt, no matter how dicey. (Grok's motto might as well be “say it with your chest.”)

SpeechMap scores the bots based on how direct, evasive, or silent they are on each topic. It’s not a perfect system—after all, even the bots judging the bots could be a little biased—but it’s giving us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes balancing act of AI moderation.

As the developer put it, “These are the kinds of discussions that should happen in public, not just inside corporate headquarters.” And we agree! Because when it comes to free speech, bias, and algorithms, things get complicated fast—and sometimes a little weird.

For now, just know that your chatbot might not always spill the tea, especially if it’s piping hot. ☕

Check it out here!

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT

Someone asked me what I thought was the best deal in BWV today... Here it is 

Check it out!

WORD OF THE WEEK

Uncouth

What It Means

Uncouth describes things, such as language or behavior, that are impolite or socially unacceptable. A person may also be described as uncouth if they are behaving in a rude way.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

Here is a great one if you like a little Motown.

Listen Here!

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.

“This pistachio pudding always makes me think of one of my best friends Adrian Belli “the kissing bandit”.

I was lucky to have so many great friends during my sickness and Aid was one of the guys that really stood out. He was one of the first guys that showed up along with Dave Knight and Ian to find me near the hospital.

Patrick and Ian, you guys never gave up on me. When my phone went dead and the calls stopped I could always count on seeing your names pop up.

Ian thank you for always being available for a walk. You have no idea how much that did for me and continues to do for me, I love you @iannelsonkwan .

Patrick, with your busy busy schedule I want to thank you for coming to see me at camh weekly, thank you for taking my family to raptors games while I was locked up. Patrick, thank you for chatting with the nurses and the patients and getting to know them but thank you @patrickdovigi for always checking up on me when a lot of people stopped. When people ask me why you’re so successful in life, I can assure you it’s because you are amazing with people, you never give up, you truly are incredible in so many ways.

My entire family knew these guys had our back.

You see, I am one of the lucky ones with tons of friends (sorry if I missed you) and people who did their best to lift my spirits.

Most people don’t have as many friends as I do.

It is our job to reach out to people when they are struggling.

Most people are too ashamed and in many cases have no clue they need help. They will not take it upon themselves to ask for help.

Please please please remember that someone who is struggling is NOT doing it for attention. Nobody wants to feel like crap or get that kind of attention.

Reach out to people. A little really does go a long way. I remember so many of the small gestures.

It is easy to say that it is not my problem until you become the one needing help.

It could happen to anyone.

Be kind…”

TRIVIA

Category: Pop Culture Edition

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

WEATHER THIS WEEK

TORONTO

MIAMI

PARIS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It is easy to convince people of something when they are afraid... But, I wouldn't say it's nice.”

-SFD 

ANDRE IS BACK!

My Ex-Ex

So, this movie is very close to my heart, because I wrote it, produced it, and star in it.

Do you like romantic comedies on crack? If your answer is yes, please check out “My Ex-Ex”. It was on Netflix for 3 years, and now it’s on Amazon Prime.

The story is very simple. A college graduate has to choose love or money. The good guy that never grows up, or the established business guy who grew up too soon. I play the good guy that never grew up, and it’s very real.

This same college graduate visits a psychic after getting dumped by her business boyfriend/fiancé. She asks to get back with her ex, but instead, she gets her Ex-Ex, Patrick, the immature man-child who is looking to find himself. Patrick is a struggling man in his mid 30’s who is doing nothing but screwing up, but also has a golden heart.

Between frat parties (where he is an honorary frat leader because he’s too old to be in the frat) and threesomes, and everything in between, please take a watch. As long as you have a sense of humor and just want that laugh, I think this movie will get you going. There is no nudity, but there are swears and things only us adults can watch.

Tuck your kids into bed and grab your spouse and hopefully you enjoy it.

Thanks!

Andre Bharti

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3202940/

THE FIRST INAGURAL “UNTUCKED” CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

It is SFD's pleasure to open the invite to the First Inaugural Golf Tourney for CamH. 

Please let [email protected] know if you would like to attend.

The sponsorship levels are below. 

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Super Frankie is lazy. He loves technology because it makes life more simple. 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