With the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ramping up, people are busy planning where they’re going to camp out to get the best glimpse of their favourite celebs. I’ve had the opportunity to attend a number of TIFF screenings over the year, and the throngs of people all straining, and yelling, and milling to try and possibly, maybe, see the stars scramble from their limos into the theatre is, well, madness.
What I’ve learned, is that if you really want to enjoy the hoopla that is the TIFF, take a much more subtle, culinary minded approach to the whole thing.
With so many celebs in town, the thing to keep in mind is that as rich or famous as movie stars are, at the end of the day they are people just like the rest of us. They enjoy a good glass of wine, a well prepared entree, and a sweet dessert as much as you or I.
By heading to a bar or restaurant in one of the TIFF hot spots, I’ve learned you can do fairly well at a chance encounter with the TIFF talent. And as opposed to standing curbside, crammed up against a barrier, straining to get a view, the worst case scenario has you going home after a great night of good food and drinks with some friends.
With that said, here is Chef Dad’s recommended spots for TIFF Star Grazing:
- Have a glass of wine at the Le Méridien King Edward, 37 King Street East. This posh hotel is a favourite of in town celebs and has a great lobby bar.
- Martinis at the the Park Hyatt Roof Bar, 4 Avenue Road. Located at the foot of Toronto’s trendy Yorkville, high atop the 18th floor, the Roof Lounge is a fabulously secluded place to chill.
- Dinner at Café Nervosa, 75 Yorkville Avenue. Enjoy the unique décor and fabulous Italian food at this super trendy eatery. With fairly large portions, feel free to order family style and share a few dishes with friends.
- Dessert at Jump Café, 18 Wellington Street West. While not as intensely popular as it was a few years ago, Jump is still a favourite to many, and still has some of the best desserts in town.
- Lunch at Hiro Sushi, 171 King Street East. While portions are small, and prices high, sushi chef Hiro Yoshida is known far and wide for his exceptional technique. For a treat, order the Chef’s Choice.
Good luck – let me know how it goes!
Such a great destination.
The Park Hyatt roof bar has amazing viewpoints. You basically cannot be accused of being a stalker at that bar because it is no nice and cozy there that you can’t help but be close to your other bar patrons. 😉
I’ve had the opportunity to be “behind the scenes” at TIFF Red Carpet screenings. Last year, I had a clear path to Natalie Portman, but I chose to keep it cool, you know, like Sly Stallone or Vinnie Barberino would. I’ve watched people line up for hours in freezing cold weather before a screening to get a good ‘seat’ at the velvet rope, hoping to just get an unobstructed view of a celebrity. Thing is, when it’s cold out the celebrities don’t want to be outdoors any more than you do! Your suggestions sound a lot better… just as likely to see someone famous, and if you don’t, well at least you get a nice meal out of it.
My birthday falls during TIFF, which means it’s the one time a year I’m dining somewhere nice/hanging at the spa (I promise, the one time). So, I tend to see celebs at Stillwater Spa and I’ve had a ton of luck at Sassafraz restaurant and The Drake.
However, this year I may just have to check out the roof bar at the Hyatt.
Oooh…the inside scoop! Awesome. Let us know if you spot anyone.