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Movies & TV News & Features

Star stalking

Barberian’s

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7 Elm, at Yonge, 416-597-0335, barberians.com.

Those wanting to star in their own episode of Mad Men should look no further than this venerable old-school steak house. Chateaubriand à deux and an especially deep wine cellar helped Richard Burton propose to Liz Taylor for the first time back in 1964.

Bistro 990

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990 Bay, at Wellesley, 416-921-9990, bistro990.ca.

Although TIFF has moved its headquarters from the old Sutton Place Hotel directly across the street, fest vets – and their publicists – will still automatically head en masse to this faux French chalet known for its ultra-fawning service. Seen chowing down on classic steak haché and frites: Kiefer Sutherland, Jody Foster, Sean Penn, 50 Cent and the very late Marlon Brando. Photo: David Laurence

Drake

1150 Queen W, at Beaconsfield, 416-531-5042, thedrakehotel.ca.

Who needs the Four Seasons? This ultra-hip boutique hotel far from the glitz of Yorkville is alterna TIFF headquarters. Once you make it past the velvet rope, head straight to the after-party in the Room 222 private dining room, where you’ll find the likes of Jessica Alba, Mike Myers and Paul Gross.

Grace

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503 College, at Palmerston, 416-944-8884, gracerestaurant.ca.

What other resto in Little Italy has a full-time publicist? Perhaps that’s how the news two TIFFs back that Tinseltown bright lights Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams had secretly rekindled their romance over dinner at this often star-studded bistro hit People Magazine the next day.

La Bruschetta

1317 St Clair W, at St. Clarens, 416-656-8622, labru.ca.

Silvia Piantoni’s old-world Italian trat is so far off the paparazzi radar, it’s become a regular haunt of the likes of Benicio del Toro, Megan Fox and the Olsen Twins. After they finish their textbook spaghetti alla puttanesca, the famous are asked to sign their plates, which get hung in the front foyer.

One

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116 Yorkville, at Hazelton, 416-961-9600, onehazelton.com.

Located on the ground floor of the Hazelton Hotel, celebu-chef Mark McEwan’s swanky resto-lounge and wraparound curbside terrace is a mob scene from 6:30 am, when the café opens for breakfast, till 4 am last call at the bar. Conspicuously hiding out: Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe and Britney Spears. Photo: David Laurence

Roof Lounge

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4 Avenue Rd, at Bloor W, 416-924-5471, parktoronto.hyatt.com.

Though it will always be the Park Plaza in our books, this old-school saloon on the 18th floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel is a proven favourite with Hollywood A-listers. Why, even Ben Affleck, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman have been known to prop up the bar long into the night. TIFF tip: the secret entrance to the elevator is off Bloor, not through the lobby. Photo: Michael Watier

Rosewater Supper Club

19 Toronto, at Adelaide, 416-214-5888, libertygroup.com.

Any other time of the year, no one would be caught dead at this past-its-prime hot dog stand. But come September, the glitterati fight their way into thie ornate party palace’s multiple-function rooms to hob with knobs like Kevin Spacey, Sean “Puff Daddy/P. Diddy” Combs, Orlando Bloom and Chloë Sevigny.

Spice Route

499 King W, at Brant, 416-849-1808, spiceroute.ca.

This cavernous clubland bottle club complete with waterfall, koi pond and heavy-duty door policy turns into the hottest ticket in town when the likes of Brad Pitt, the Coen brothers and Tilda Swinton show up to party, as they did two years ago. Don’t forget to check out the unisex washrooms if you get that far!

Sweaty Betty’s

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13 Ossington, at Queen W, 416-535-6861.

Not every celeb likes the spotlight. After last year’s party for Whip It at the tacky Tattoo Rock Parlour, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page and Justin Long (the dude from the Apple commercials and Barrymore’s current squeeze) and entourage headed over to this extremely laid-back boozer to drink shots of absinthe and dance to Motörhead on the jukebox. Photo: Mark Coatsworth

Victor

30 Mercer, at John, 416-883-3431.

Located in the Montreal-based Le Germain Hotel, this low-key but extremely luxe supper club around the corner from the Light Box attracts rockers like Arcade Fire and Sam Roberts as well as 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan, who asked chef David Chrystian for his tuna salad sandwich recipe.

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