These were the best sips and bites offered during TIFF in Toronto

As the last of the red carpets are rolled up and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) comes to a close after a jam-packed year, we’re left to reflect on the films, panels, red carpets, and parties. 

Some of Toronto’s most beloved venues – from long-time staples to new see-and-be-seen hot spots – played host to a slew of TIFF festivities this year. Inevitably, a free-flowing variety of eats and drinks was part of the equation. 

Not only did they make for conversation-starters at events, but they also served up some inspiring and fabulously indulgent entertaining ideas. 

Here are some of our favourite things the stars sipped and savoured during the TIFF season.

The Baller’s Surf and Turf at The Ritz-Carlton

Hollywood’s finest feel right at home at the uber-luxurious Ritz-Carlton Toronto. This year, the hotel offered specialty menus with a celeb-worthy level of indulgence and price tag. For example, the secluded Epoch Terrace offered up a Baller’s Surf and Turf. The $325 meal (yes, for one) featured a5 wagyu, Dungeness crab, and a black pepper sauce.

The Extra Buttery Popcorn Croissant at Bisha Hotel 

For TIFF, French Made café at the Bisha Hotel debuted their new Extra Buttery Popcorn Croissant in celebration of TIFF. The flakey house-made butter croissant is filled with butter popcorn diplomat cream, (a delicious mix of pastry cream and stabilized whipped cream), and dipped in white chocolate. Adding a TIFF touch, the croissant is garnished with caramel popcorn.

Director’s Cut Cocktail Menu at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto 

As usual, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto saw no shortage of bold-faced names roll through its immaculate property for everything from parties and panels, to Caitlin Cronenberg’s celebrity portrait studio. To mark TIFF, the hotel offered its photo-worthy Director’s Cut Cocktail menu in both dBar and Café Boulud. Served in a popcorn box, the social media star of the show is ‘The Premiere,’ featuring Earl Grey Bombay Gin, Galliano, lemon juice, egg white, and popcorn syrup.

Extravagant Sushi at Mademoiselle Raw Bar + Grill

Some of Hollywood’s biggest names hit Mademoiselle Raw Bar + Grill for TIFF events – like the powerful The Woman King panel hosted by Twitter Canada and featuring Viola Davis. The venue also offered its upper-level VIP area, The Penthouse, each evening to those with access. Guests enjoyed the venue’s menu items – especially sushi, an event staple. Those looking to go all out could choose the $100 FU*# YOU ROLL !!! A menu staple, it features a5 wagyu, caviar, foie gras, truffle, and lobster tempura. 

Film-Inspired Cocktails at RBC House 

As usual, RBC House took over the sprawling building at 11 Duncan with a star-studded lineup of after-parties for some of TIFF’s most anticipated films. Each night, the Diageo World Class Toronto team served up film-inspired cocktails. For example, at the after-party for Tyler Perry’s film A jazzman’s Blues, guests sipped a Jazzman’s Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit Bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and the Capitol Royale, hand-mixed with Don Julio Blanco, Monin Agave syrup, lime juice. Cinnamon donuts with lemon curd and coconut pot de creme was also served.

The Belvedere Dream at Marbl Supper Suite

Marbl has solidified itself as a TIFF staple this year, thanks to its high-profile Supper Suite. Case in point: the spot hosted Kate Beckinsale’s TIFF’S Prisoner’s Daughter press day.  The actress was stunned by the step and repeat, resulting in international headlines. Once inside, The Belvedere Dream cocktail was a go-to. The cocktail includes fresh-squeezed tangerine juice (2 oz), Belvedere (1 oz), and Martini Fiero (1 oz), topped with soda and prosecco.   

Tuna Tataki at Arcane 

King West spot Arcane played host to some of Hollywood’s biggest names. One of the most anticipated films of the festival, Viola Davis’ The Woman King, had its after-party at the venue. Here, high-profile guests enjoyed an assortment of Chef Shawn Tesoro’s bites from the venue’s Xango restaurant. A quick crowd-pleaser was the tuna tataki + mixed green. The dish featured hand-torched pepper-crusted saku tuna, Japanese cabbage, spicy fried chickpea, and a Japanese soy mirin vinaigrette. 

The La Scala at Sofia Restaurant & Bar

Yorkville’s Sofia Restaurant & Bar is always packed with the see-and-be-seen set – and TIFF was no exception. Those who wanted to go all out to mark the occasion opted for the La Scala. Complete with an $80 price tag (yes, you read that correctly), the cocktail is shaken and served in a martini glass and includes Ron Zacapa rum (1.75), Wray & Nephew rum (.25), Grand Marnier Centenaire (.75), calamansi (.5), dragon fruit juice (2 ounces), and falernum, gold leaf, all garnished with flowers and a gold leaf. 

The Clover Club Cocktail at the Parc Ave x Bombay Sapphire TIFF Pop-Up

For the first three nights of the festival, new cocktail spot Parc Ave teamed up with Bombay Sapphire and Shinan Govani to host the city’s society page regulars for late-night revealing. Here, guests enjoyed the Clover Club Cocktail. The refreshing drink featured Bombay Bramble (50ml), fresh lemon juice (25ml), sugar syrup (20 ml), and egg white and was garnished with raspberries and blackberries.