2019-09-04 The Hollywood Reporter

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5 New Eateries Not to Miss

Tired of the same dinner spots? These freshly opened options add

some new flavor to the TIFF experience BY ETAN VLESSING

Don Alfonso 1890

19 Toronto St.

Michelin star chefs Alfonso

and Ernesto Iaccarino’s Don

Alfonso offers a menu inspired

by Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with

Ice Creamed Eel ($24), Seared

Muscovy Duck Breast ($24)

and an eight-course tasting

menu ($150).

Coffee Oysters Champagne

214 King St. West

Everything this new eatery offers

is right there in the name (there’s

also caviar). Chef Kevin Paquette

says his menu items — including

Oysters Surf and Turf ($21) and

Oysters Spicy Sweet ($19) — start

“from an idea with one ingredient

and build from there.”

Rosalinda

133 Richmond St. W

Michael C. Hall and Jessica

Chastain have been spotted in

the vegan eatery, where chef

Matthew Ravenscroft says

dishes like his Root Vegetable

and Mole ($14) and Sweet Potato

Enchiladas ($13) are “loud — be it

in flavor, color or presentation.”

Maison Selby

592 Sherbourne St.

Celebrity chefs Peter Oliver and

Michael Bonacini have opened

a French bistro just off Yorkville,

with classic dishes like Provencal

Ratatouille ($23) and Pan-Fried

Sole Meuniere ($37). Exec chef

John Horne says his dishes are

“simple and familiar French food.”

Chotto Matte

161 Bay St.

A favorite of Toronto Raptors

star Serge Ibaka, this Japanese-

Peruvian fusion spot offers a

traditional sushi bar as well as

more exotic fare like a pomegran-

ate salsa beef filet ($36) and lamb

chops marinated in a Peruvian

chilli miso ($19).

provides such a release when you

get your body moving. Beware: It’s

highly competitive, and if you get

a chance to throw the big ax, it’s

the best night of your life.”

ROMANTIC RENDEZVOUS

Bisha Hotel Toronto,

80 Blue Jays Way, Toronto,

416-551-2800,

bishahoteltoronto.com

“This is for a sexy night with your

boo. As soon as you walk in, you

see black velvet wallpaper in the

lobby. There’s a great bar, and the

rooms are modern and spacious

with low light, so everyone looks

good from all angles. I find it

incredibly sexy, and it’s the heart

of downtown. You can pop out

and walk around the neighbor-

hood to grab brunch the next day.

It’s hidden but just around the

corner from all the action.”

LOW-KEY, SCENE-FREE STAY

Gladstone Hotel,

1214 Queen St. W, Toronto,

416-531-4635,

gladstonehotel.com

“When I was in university in

Toronto, this was the seediest,

scariest place I had ever been to

in my life. Not anymore! It’s been

revamped and there are cool

rooms with a sort of ’60s vibe.

The restaurant is also great. I

love the breakfast and anything

that comes with truffles. It’s just

chill and nice with a very easy,

cool vibe. During TIFF, I tend to

stay here because it feels more

sane and less see-and-be-seen,

yet it’s right in the center of all

the chaos.”

SHOPPING SPREE

Distillery District,

Downtown Toronto,

thedistillerydistrict.com

A village of refurbished Victorian

industrial buildings, the

Distillery District features one-

of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries,

restaurants and theaters. “It’s like

a small town right in the middle

of this huge city. They have a

Christmas market that is one of

the biggest in North America. I’m

a Christmas psychopath — I have

four trees every year — and I love

it not only for the fashion but for

interesting gifts and cool orna-

ments. There are also gorgeous

art studios and the artists are on-

site so they can talk to you about

their pieces. It’s a nice market

experience without feeling like

you’ve gone into the woods.”

NEIGHBORHOOD EVENING WALK

Yorkville, Toronto,

Bloor-yorkville.com

“I love grabbing an iced coffee

when the weather is getting crisp

and just going for a walk in this

neighborhood, known for its high-

end luxury stores. You can pop in

to Gucci or Louis Vuitton. It’s our

Rodeo Drive — Canadian style.”

mindfulness firsthand, and is himself a daily practitioner.

“It is important for people to step back and take a mental

break,” says Vahidy. “Fifteen minutes of mindfulness can

help you regain focus and cope with all the pressures the

film industry brings.”

If getting away for a guided meditation during the

fest isn’t an option, Plater recommends a quick one- or

two-minute breathing exercise to counter festival stress.

Breathe in through the nose for a count of three, hold for

a further count of three, and then release through the

mouth for another three. Says Plater: “You have every-

thing you need within you to feel well.”

DINING

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