2019-09-04 The Hollywood Reporter

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 66 SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

GUIDED MEDITATION JUST STEPS FROM THE FESTIVAL FRENZY

A

manda Brugel

loves Toronto. The

Canadian-born

actress — best

known for her work

on Hulu’s Emmy-winning drama

series The Handmaid’s Tale — is

pretty much an expert on the city,

having lived, worked, studied and

filmed her hit Hulu series in the

Ontario capital. “You can walk for

10 minutes and see 15 different

nationalities all existing in the

same space. It’s welcoming to all

religious beliefs, genders, sexual

preferences, everything. I’ve

never been anywhere in the world

like it,” says Brugel, who shares

with THR her favorite spots to eat,

shop, sleep — and throw axes.

POST-SCREENING PINT

The Keating Channel Pub & Grill,

2 Villiers St., Toronto,

416-572-0030,

keatingchannelpub.com

“I love this cheap and cheerful

suggestion that was my father’s

favorite restaurant. It’s on the

Don River near the District, and

it’s a crazy mix of grungy pub

with a great, Amsterdam vibe.

You get a lot for your money. I

always order a cool, 9-ounce glass

of cha rdon nay.”

AFTERNOON HIGH TEA

High Tea at Shangri-La Hotel,

188 University Ave., Toronto,

647-788-8281,

Shangri-la.com/toronto

“High tea is always lovely and

is sort of my jam. I love it here

because it’s eclectic and there is

tea — my favorite is peppermint

— little sandwiches and a variety

of live entertainment, like piano

or jazz. There is always a who’s

who of Toronto walking in, so you

can just people-watch.”

STRESS-BEATING WORKOUT

BATL,

33 Villiers St., Toronto,

647-793-6410, batlgrounds.com

“Spas and facials are amazing, but

I’m quite athletic, so when I really

want to relax I like to throw axes.

It’s so great because you can bring

a group of friends. It’s much more

physical than you anticipate, so it

A LOCAL STAR’S

GU I DE TO TORONTO

Handmaid’s Tale actress Amanda Brugel reveals her favorite spots to eat, drink, shop and unwind:

‘It’s such a place of community, inclusion and acceptance’ BY CHRIS GARDNER

1 The Cloud 9 cocktail,

which the Shangri-La

Hotel offers only

during TIFF.

2 Toronto’s bustling

Distillery District offers

shopping, restaurants

and galleries.

3 Take the edge

off with some ax

throwing at Batl.

4 The Alexander Suite

at the Bisha Hotel.

5 Brugel recommends

an evening stroll

and high-end shopping

in Yorkville.

A local studio a short walk from Bell Lightbox offers an oasis of mindfulness during the stress of screenings BY CHRISTOS TSIRBAS

profound positive impact,” says Carolyn Plater, co-founder

of Hoame Meditation Studio. A short walk from Bell

Lightbox, Hoame offers guided meditations that last from

30 minutes ($23) to an hour ($28) and can be booked online

or by phone (walk-ins also are welcome). The studio is the

official meditation partner of Soho House Toronto and

offers meditation services through that organization’s app.

The studio also will host a meditation pop-up at this

year’s Mongrel House event, a four-night blowout hosted

by Mongrel Media, the Canadian distributor of Rian

Johnson’s TIFF entry Knives Out. Mongrel director of

marketing Danish Vahidy is eager for guests to experience

HOT

SPOTS

T

IFF isn’t just the unofficial launch of awards season.

It’s also a time for the industry to shake off the lazy

days of summer and launch headlong into 10 days

of meetings, screenings and parties that can leave the

body and mind feeling depleted. Recharging is essential,

and one of the most effective methods can be found in

mindfulness meditation.

“Stillness and connecting with yourself can have such a

5

4

12

1 Hoame Studio’s verdant light room.

2 Meditators listened to a guided meditation.

3 The Hoame salt cave is a modern take on

ancient mineral healing.

ZEN

Brugel