FRANKIE’S FAVOURITE EATERIES

From Italy to Huntsville, With Love

The best Italian dishes follow a “less is more” philosophy when meshing flavours.

My Nonna (and my dad and myself) often make a delicious tomato sauce that uses only tomatoes, onions, garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper - if you cook it right, you don't need to over spice the sauce. It's also why my favourite, go to order at That Little Place by the Lights is the Pizza Bianca, which is literally translated into white pizza. In fact, I think it’s only on the menu so because I kept ordering it for years.

Pizza Bianca is called such because it uses olive oil instead of tomato sauce (or other more colourful sauces) as it’s base. Little Place then tops it off with mozzarella, caramelized onions, mushrooms, pancetta and provolone cheese.

Each bite is a perfect combination of these flavours and goes well with a nice glass of San Pellegrino chinotto, a soft drink which is like the bitter-sweet taste of Brio.

But it’s not for everyone, so their menu features all manners of pizza from traditional tomato sauce and cheese to Primavera (olives, artichokes and more veggies) to Diavolo with Tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy salami, red onion and chili flakes; and several more.

Being of recent Italian descent – myself and my cousins were the first of our family born in Canada – I prefer not to dine out at Italian restaurants, but That Little Place By the Lights in Downtown Huntsville is one of only Italian restaurants I will actually eat at. Originally from Udine, the Buttus family puts their heart and soul into their meals, which is evident in the taste.

If you haven’t been there yet, or haven’t tried all their dishes yet, their signature must be Mama Annie’s famous Lasagna.

Noodles made from scratch and tenderly layered with complimentary flavours. There is a savoury Bolognese sauce in one layer, and béchamel in another, as well as healthy doses of mozzarella and parmagiano cheeses to complete the oven-baked dish.

Eat it at the restaurant in a single serving – which of course everyone will want a bite of – or take home a pre-made lasagna and let the whole family enjoy in the comfort of your own home. We’ve done both and it was delicious on each occasion.

Meanwhile, my son loves the meatball and chicken parm sandwiches, my friends all agree the mushroom ravioli are phenomenal, and there is a solid wine and spirit list to choose from.

TV personality John Catucci even featured Little Place on his former Food Network show You Gotta Eat Here – twice.

As Catucci mentioned to me previously, he knew this was a real Italian restaurant when he walked by and the aroma emanating reminded him of home.

By Chris Occhiuzzi

Check it out!

TECH SPOTLIGHT

Your next iPhone or Apple Watch might have a little more North American pride baked in—Apple just announced that all the glass for future models will be made in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, through a partnership with Corning. While it’s not quite an entirely made-in-America device, it’s part of Apple’s massive $600 billion U.S. investment over the next five years (which also means plenty of jobs south of the border). The facility will produce Apple’s “Ceramic Shield” glass, which is tough enough to survive most accidental drops… unless, of course, you’re holding it over concrete in February in Canada. In that case, no amount of patriotism—American or Canadian—will save it.

Check it out here!

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT - PT 1

Tucked away in one of Etobicoke’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, this David Small–designed home blends thoughtful design with everyday comfort. With over 3,500 sq. ft. of beautifully finished living space, it’s a place where light pours in through skylights, dinners are shared around a sleek Cameo kitchen island, and summer evenings spill out onto a private, professionally landscaped backyard. From the floating staircase to the spa-like primary ensuite, every detail feels both stylish and welcoming. Whether it’s morning coffee on the upper balcony, movie nights in the rec room, or weekend gatherings under the covered patio, this home is ready to be lived in and loved.

Check it out!

Interested? Contact Lara!

+1 (416) 294 4753| [email protected]A

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT - PT 2

Tucked into one of Rosedale’s most coveted blocks, this stately Neo-Georgian beauty is as charming as it is grand. Just steps from Yonge Street’s boutiques and cafés, yet nestled in a peaceful, tree-lined pocket, it’s the perfect blend of city convenience and serene retreat. Inside, elegant high-ceilinged rooms flow from a chef’s kitchen to sunlit living spaces overlooking lush, private gardens. With space for hosting glamorous dinner parties, cozy family nights, and everything in between—plus skyline views from the sun deck—this home is where history meets everyday magic.

Check out the floorplan and walk-through below!

Contact us for more info 🙂 

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT - PT 3

Check this South of France listing that just came up for lease. If you like it... Contact Elisa Salvatore at [email protected] !

Check out more of the home blow 🙂 

REAL ESTATE SPOTLIGHT - PT 4

Here is a cutie in Toronto that I like... There is a lot of Value in this one if you're looking in that area. 

Check it out!

REMINDER

BTW, at the bottom of this NL is our invite to the www.untuckedgolf.com on Sept 15th. Frankie along with George Pimentel (Canada’s N#1 photographer) are hosting their first tourney to support CamH. George is the king of galas, so this little tourney is bound to have some tricks up its sleeve.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Stipulate

What It Means

To stipulate is to demand or require something as part of an agreement.

FRANKIE’S SONG OF THE WEEK

I'm loving this track lately.   

Listen Here! - Spotify

Listen Here! - Apple Music

Also, a friend of mine just released this on YouTube... So fun! Great job Berfin.

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.

“A friend of mine said he is seldom stressed because he takes action.

While I think some actions can probably cause stress, I think I know what he meant.

By making an action you move things forward which gives you the satisfaction of knowing that at least you went for it.

They say that depression is living in the past, like not having gone for it and anxiety is living in the future, like fear of going for it.

So, what is my recommendation? Go for it!

Action Action Action”

🧠A Weekly Dose of Psychology You Didn’t Know You Needed 🧠

Hi everyone! I’m Maya, I hold an Honours Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Psychology (basically, I can analyze both a crime scene and your overly complicated coffee order). I’m also an incoming Master of Arts candidate in Counselling Psychology, which means I spend a lot of time thinking about how the human brain works, and why it sometimes does the exact opposite of what we want it to do.

It’s week seven, and we’re taking a little detour into the forensic side of my psychology degree — because sometimes, the most misunderstood minds are the most interesting to learn about.

Let’s clear up a pop culture myth that crime shows love to get wrong.

🧠 Psych Fact #7: “Psychopath” isn’t actually a diagnosis, and neither is “sociopath.”

Despite what you’ve heard in movies or on TikTok, psychopath and sociopath aren’t official clinical terms in the DSM-5 (the manual psychologists use for mental health diagnoses).

In reality, people who get labeled with those words often meet criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), a condition defined by a long-term pattern of disregarding rules, laws, and the rights of others.

So where do the other terms come in?

• Psychopath: Often used in research or forensic settings to describe individuals with ASPD traits plus characteristics like shallow emotions, charm, and calculated behavior.

• Sociopath: A more informal term that tends to refer to those with ASPD traits who are more impulsive, hot-headed, and prone to erratic behavior.

Neither term is an official diagnosis, they’re more like descriptive shorthand. The problem? Pop culture uses them interchangeably and often incorrectly, blurring the real psychological distinctions.

So the next time someone casually calls a TV villain a “psychopath,” you’ll know there’s a lot more nuance hiding under that label.

Until next time,
Maya 🧠✨

OTHER POSH THINGS

Old Town Antibes: My Summer Compass

Every summer, my compass points south to the old town of Antibes. It’s a place I can never resist — a sunlit knot of cobbled streets where the Mediterranean seems to wink at you from every turn. Antibes has worn many names and faces over the centuries. The ancient Greeks knew it as Antipolis, “the city opposite” — opposite their colony of Nikaia, today’s Nice. The Romans fortified it, medieval lords guarded it, and artists like Picasso sought out its light, which still bathes the stone walls in a warm, honeyed glow. Oh please do yourself a favour and visit the Picasso museum !

From July 1st to August 31st, one can feast on a stroll (or a shop) from 7 p.m. to midnight among the art, craft, and jewellery stalls on the Esplanade du Pré des Pêcheurs in Antibes and on the Promenade du Soleil in Juan-les-Pins. Known in French as the Marché Nocturne (nocturnal markets) because during the day, it's too hot to shop...one melts merely at the thought of it.

I like to start with a stroll through the stalls along the port of Antibes — I need to hold myself back, as I'm obsessed with these markets. Then I pass under the old stone archways into the enchanted heart of the old city. That’s where the real stroll begins, winding my way upwards toward Rue Georges Clemenceau, pausing at Kiwi Boutique  for swimsuits, beach handbags, and airy kaftans that make Côte d’Azur packing feel effortless.

Eating in Antibes is part of the pleasure. For a lively lunch, I love Chez Jules, where the tables are decorated with fresh produce and the plates brim with local flavour — though be prepared for a crowd. For a quieter, more intimate meal, I head to Restaurant Le Safranier, a tucked-away terrace shaded by trees that feels like dining in someone’s secret garden (booking essential). And for something casual yet deeply satisfying, nothing beats a thin, wood-fired pizza and an ice-cold local beer at Le Caméo, right on the main square — perfect for watching the town’s life swirl around you.

One of my other obsessions in Antibes is the old door knockers. Many date back centuries, once serving as symbols of a family’s trade or status. Some are shaped like hands, others like animals, all carefully crafted in bronze or iron. They add an artistic, almost whimsical touch to the streets — a reminder that beauty here isn’t confined to galleries; it’s built into the everyday.

Evenings are pure theatre. The obvious night markets during the summer months, musicians on the streets, and the scent of grilled fish mingle with the sea breeze. Somewhere between the hum of conversation, laughter all around thanks to a bottle of cold Sancerre and the glow of candlelit tables, Antibes always feels like it’s leaning in to tell you a secret.

Antibes, for me, isn’t just a summer stop — it’s a ritual. A place where history, flavour, craftsmanship, and a certain sun-drenched ease combine into something I never quite get out of my system.

By Nirit Sumeruk Abbou

TRIVIA

Category: Pop Culture - True Crime Edition

UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

CHRIS’ CORNER

Canada’s Most Played Sports Have Changed

Hockey is still considered by many to be “Canada’s Sport” even though it’s technically the national sport for winter and lacrosse is the national sport for summer.

Lacrosse used to be Canada’s only national sport until a bunch of overzealous puck heads made the summer/winter co-ownership happen.

But could all this be changing now?

With soccer seeing at least a million registered players year over year according to Canada Soccer, it is often considered the most popular sport in the country. With the national teams succeeding in one form or another, it has led to an increase in interest from the youngest ages on up. Note: the number is only “officially registered with a sanctioned club” players, it doesn’t factor in non-registered participation where people gather for regularly scheduled, unofficial pick-up games and other unsanctioned play.

Canada Hockey says that in the 2023-24 season they had 603,000 registered hockey players – including over 100,000 girls. Those numbers would be pretty close to those from last winter as well.

While this does show small growth from the pandemic era, the amount of equipment, cost per player, and other factors have seen many youth athletes choose soccer, basketball, volleyball, and other sports over hockey.

My children never played hockey – other than maybe some pick-up ball hockey games at school – and preferred soccer, basketball, swimming, and my son even tried lacrosse for a year.

They like to go skating in the winter, but hockey was never their thing. The more deeply involved they got in soccer, the more people we’ve found with similar experiences. Hockey is not the top pick anymore.

More sports picking up steam!

Buoyed by the Raptors and the amazing Canadian NBAers, various reports indicate between 68% and 71% of youth playing basketball in one form or another. That doesn’t include all the men’s and women’s leagues, registered pick-up games, and unofficial “shooting hoops” at the local court.

Tennis Canada reports that nearly five million people played the sport (both registered and non-registered) in 2025, up from 3.9 million four years ago. This is based on surveys where they took percentages and estimated them amongst the national population.

Golf Canada says they had 360,000 golfers and 1,505 member clubs across the country in 2024. That number doesn’t include the weekend duffers, business and charity tournament players, and other non-club members who enjoy regular rounds of golf.

Even curling is getting more popular. According to a 2022 Canadian Government funding announcement, there were 157,788 registered curling club members across the country that year. Not too shabby for a solely winter sport where there are typically only five members per team.

Volleyball Canada says they have over 80,000 registered members and estimates that there are between 500,000 and 800,000 Canadians playing at various levels.

Recent baseball and softball numbers were not available, but it’s estimate between 150,000 and 200,000 Canadians played those sports in 2024.

One thing that wasn’t certain is how many of these are multiple sport athletes – ie hockey in the winter/soccer in the summer. That would be an interesting exercise.

With more access available to more sports than ever before, perhaps we no longer have one or two “official national sports” or maybe they should really be soccer, golf, and tennis.

By Chris Occhiuzzi

WEATHER THIS WEEK

TORONTO

MIAMI

PARIS

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Don't be surprised when someone makes changes especially when they've been telling you what they need.”

-SFD

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

THE FIRST INAUGURAL “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.