Star gazing gatherings make TIFF the ultimate fan experience

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TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival has once again gripped the city, and there are star sightings everywhere!

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Considered one of the largest, if not the largest, publicly attended film festival in the world, TIFF, taking place until Sept. 18, brings in close to half a million people from across the country, the continent, the  world, all looking to soak up the film culture and get up close and cozy with some of cinema’s most sensational names and A-listers.

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TIFF influence can be seen everywhere, with streets closed and sidewalks swelling daily with fan watchers, and with the stars themselves gracing red carpets with gorgeous glam.

Toronto is in a post-pandemic party mood! That means cocktail hour starts earlier, and restaurants are rolling out film-inspired menus, not to mention hosting after-film parties all across town.

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Although all eateries stand on their own merit, there’s something particularly special when one knows a famous name has eaten at certain food spots, be they expensive restaurants or humble grab-and-go eateries. That said, definitely, you’ll find cocktails costing hundreds of dollars and dishes you have to break open the piggy bank to order!

Although the whole city is in TIFF mode, you’ll find the bulk of the star sightings and famous food offerings in the city’s downtown core, where the hub of the action takes place. Choice food spots offer front-row seats – you just have to know where to go.

“We opened up for TIFF 10 years ago, and Will Smith was one of our first customers. Today, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary alongside the same festival,” says famed restauranteur Michael Dabic of Michael’s On Simcoe (michaelsonsimcoe.com), a family-run steakhouse with an Italian twist located in the heart of the financial/entertainment district, and where such luminaries as Marion Cotillard, Will Smith, Hugh Jackman, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Colin Firth, Emily Blunt, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Diane Keaton have sat and supped. Dabic, who also owns The Butcher Chef and Oliver’s Steak House in Oakville, says it’s great when the stars come out – “but  you have to be prepared when they leave. We opened up to record crowds, but the moment the festival was finished, the crowds stopped coming. That said, I didn’t base the success of my restaurant on star power, but on knowing the industry.

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“That, a bit of luck, and karma,” added Dabic, who said one by one, the customers returned (the restaurant will be relocating in the new year).

Any stars in particular stand out? “We would give the talent an opportunity to come in through the back doors, but one star, Hugh Jackman, insisted on coming through the front, stopping to take photos and  give autographs. He loved the fans, in fact he was wonderful to everyone,” said Dabic.

Other notable offerings:

SALUNA SUPPER CLUB (solunatoronto.com): TIFF partner and Queen Street oasis, Soluna supper club and rooftop terrace has fast become the go-to hotspot and getaway for this famous festival season – not to mention the ultimate destination for celeb-spotting. Of course, it’s where the stars also hang out for private events, TIFF-hosted brunches, film dinners and parties.

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THE RITZ-CARLTON TORONTO (ritzcarlton.com): It wouldn’t be TIFF without a top-off at the Ritz! Toronto’s Ritz-Carlton can be seen as head office for the iconic film extravaganza – it’s where some of the best star gazing takes place, and the hotel always offers up a show-stopping cocktail or two, along with yummy eats.

“Toronto comes alive during TIFF and we look forward to celebrating the film industry’s best and brightest,” said Guillaume Benezech, GM for the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, in a recent media release.

Benezech says this year’s show-stopping libations, developed by head mixologist Jon Neil, are inspired by famous films and are available at EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace Restaurant, and include:

Film Noir: More of a magical elixir than a regular cocktail, the drink includes activated charcoal, Tanqueray, Sake, Yuzu and liquid nitrogen, as a nod to films past. $70.

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El Mariachi: Don Julio 1942, Mezcal Tepetzate, Agave, Aztec Bitters pored over an ice sphere to create an Old Fashioned for the future. $125.

Midnight in Paris: With the usual, quintessential cast of characters: Dom Perignon, Hennessy XL Cognac and lemon juice; $225.

Hungry? Guests can order EPOCH’s “Uni Toast”, which features Hokkaido uni, smoked eel and caviar served with Korean milk toast. Curated by the restaurant’s specialty chef, Jeff Crump.

GOODS ON GOODY BAGS

Meanwhile, we’re celebrating Canadian vodka REN ultra-premium vodka (established in Toronto and made with Canadian ingredients) as one of the official gifts that A-listers and stars will be taking home as part of their Bask-It-Style goody bags that also included such swag gems as Kit and Ace, sparkling water makers from SodaStream, plant-based skin care products from Soo’ae and hair and makeup from L’Oreal, not to mention tea from David’s Tea, Pascoe’s Vitapas B Complex and even snacks from the Toronto Popcorn Company.

Northern Terroir Martini

The perfect Canadian cocktail to celebrate TIFF, created by Canadian bartender Blake Canning of Butcher Chef  (@thebitterendbar). renvodka.com @renpremiumvodka

2 oz. Ren vodka (or favourite vodka)

1/2 oz. lemon/grapefruit infused dry vermouth

1/2 oz. Gentian liqueur (or an Italian amaro liqueur)

Garnish: Sweet corn foam*

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a Martini glass. Can be served as is, or with a sweet foam.