Star Spotting at TIFF!

The Toronto International Film Festival is in town again from September 6 to the 16 th . And
though it’s certainly a great time to catch, well, films, one couldn’t be faulted for hoping to also
catch a glimpse of one of the many celebrities in town to fete their flicks. Here’s our list of the
best places to possibly spot a star this TIFF.

Four Seasons

The new-ish Four Seasons hotel (it was opened in 2012) is plush enough for even the fanciest of
stars to lay their weary heads, but will also play host to one of the most star-studded events of
TIFF, the annual InStyle party with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
(https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/tiff/2018/09/01/there-are-two-it-boys-at-tiff-but-
only-one-can-emerge-victorious.html). Though a ticket to that is unlikely to appear in your
inbox (unless you’re, say, Drake), good spots for potential sightings are the neighbouring Buca
restaurant and the in-house Café Boulud and dbar.

Windsor Arms

The Four Seasons isn’t the only game in town though. Some celebs prefer the more classic feel
of the Windsor Arms, which, tucked away on quiet St. Thomas Street off of Bloor, may also
offer a bit more peace and quiet. The annual Artists for Peace and Justice gala (co-hosted by
Ben Stiller) is set to be hosted here. Who knows, a sighting might occur in their famous tea
room.

The Ritz-Carlton

Another of Toronto’s uber luxury hotels, the Ritz-Carlton is only a five-minute walk (or perhaps
more likely, for their celebrity clientele, a fifteen-minute limo ride) away from TIFF
headquarters, making it a likely resting spot for stars not looking to do much travelling while in
Toronto. Check out their food and drink at Ritz Bar, Toca or the outdoor Deq Terrace and
Lounge, possibly while eyeing the Hollywood elite.

The Shangri-La

This chic hotel chain opened its doors in Toronto in 2012. Not only does it offer excellent digs
for discrete celebs, it also houses the buzzy Momofuku restaurant, a New York City transplant
(which may be where homesick Manhattanite stars seek their ramen fix). It also sits on the
same block as the exclusive Soho House, where stars are known to frequent.

Soho House

Speaking of! This member’s only club not only hosts premiere parties, but rumour has it
celebrities make appearances there outside of their film launches (they are notoriously hush-
hush about the goings-on inside). If you’re a member or score an invite, don’t expect to
produce any proof of said sightings: there’s a strict no photos policy.

Gusto 101

Little Italy star Emma Roberts gushed about this King and Portland hot-spot to Fashion
Magazine just days ago https://fashionmagazine.com/culture/emma-roberts-little-italy/ and if she likes it, maybe, just maybe, she recommended it to her megastar aunt Julia Roberts, who will be in town for her thriller show Homecoming.

Montecito

This restaurant, ideally located near TIFF, the Ritz-Carlton, the Shangri-La and even Soho House, is the brainchild of Ivan Reitman (https://torontolife.com/food/restaurants/introducing-montecito-ivan-reitman-backed-restaurant-near-tiff-bell-lightbox/), the director and producer known for Ghostbusters, Kindergarten Cop, Junior and Stripes and others and has already
hosted several TIFF parties. Would it be such a stretch to imagine Reitman and his Hollywood pals might hunker down here for a night of dinner and drinks?

Other notable mentions in Yorkville: Holt Renfrew, La Societe, One Restaurant, the Hazelton
Hotel.
Other notable mentions in King West: Patria, Buca and Bar Buca, the Storys building which will
transform to RBC House, the Thompson Hotel.

Happy hunting!