I can’t believe it’s not Meat!  Staying in-line with my 2013 Plan to reduce Meat Consumption in my Diet, my Friend Dawn and myself ventured north of the City to try the  famed Graceful Vegetarian Restaurant.  How can you argue with a place that has garnered 4.5/5 Stars on Yelp?  Everyone who knows Chinese Food knows that all the good stuff is north of Steeles Avenue and if it can still impress the discerning Palettes of the 905, this is the mark of true greatness.

Although I’ve had Chinese Vegetarian on many occasions before, I’ve never had anything as real as this.   Often I roll my eyes when I see Vegetarian Duck on a Menu, my suspicions to be confirmed only shortly after I  angle those Chopsticks towards my mouth thinking, “Tofu.”.  What makes Graceful so remarkable is that we had to keep convincing ourselves we weren’t eating Meat.  Their Top-Seller, a Vegetarian Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry is incredible, full of bounce to the bite in its savoury goodness.   Steamed Vegetable Buns were made with Whole Wheat Flour, showing full commitment to its health-consciousness and we were floored by their Fried Ho-Fan Rice Noodles with Vegetarian Beef, laced with just the perfect amount of  Chili Peppers.  The Marquee Item was their Vegetarian Filet Mignon with Sweet & Sour Sauce.  Remarkable flavour and texture.  I cannot say “no” to anything Sweet & Sour.  Fact.

But really,  how does Graceful make it taste and feel so real?   We dig-in and found the secret. We are told by a friendly Staffer, “Our Meat Substitute isn’t just Tofu.  It’s Tofu, Potato Starch and Mushrooms and is made on-premises by our Chef.”.

Did I mention they do All-Day Dim Sum too?  A young Indian Couple beside us were enjoying Dumplings and Buns at 9:30 PM. Surreal.  Needless to say, I’ll be back soon.

Check-out Graceful Vegetarian Restaurant’s Facebook Page and “like it”.  They are located at 7131 Kennedy Road (at Steeles), Markham, Ontario in Market Village.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Does the Man make the Suit or does the Suit make the Man? That is the question Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is faced with as his personal world is destroyed and every turn he makes to find who did it, is a true test of strength. In advance of this Sunday’s Super Bowl, Disney has released  another new Clip from one of their marquee Titles, Iron Man 3!

Iron Man 3 stars also Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley.

See the official Poster below:

Watch the Teaser below:

Disney releases Iron Man 3 on May 3, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Although a 20-second Teaser for Disney‘s The Lone Ranger will be premiering during this Sunday’s SupervBowl Pre-Game, you can see it first right here!  Directed by Gore Verbinski, the Action-Adventure centers around Native American Spirit Warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) and Man of the Law John Reid (Armie Hammer), complete opposites brought together by Fate and must join forces to battle Greed and Corruption.

See the official Poster below:

Watch the Teaser below:

Production has begun in London for the much-anticipated Followup to 2011’s The Muppets and Disney confirms that Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais and Ty Burell wil be joining the Cast as The Muppets embark on their sell-out Tour, taking them to Berlin, Madrid and London. Trouble strikes though as Kermit becomes confused for the World’s Number One Criminal Constantine, who looks almost identical to him; they must also be wary of Dominic (Gervais), his Sidekick.

Kermit, whom I had the pleasure of chatting with last time he visited Toronto, says “This Movie takes us places we’ve never been before. And trust me—this Frog has never seen so much international flavor. I think audiences will eat it up—the entertainment, that is.”.

Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar for Best Original Song with Man or Muppet, returns once again to write some brilliant Music for The Muppets… Again!, which hits theatres March 14, 2014.

Check-out Entertainment Weekly‘s Exclusive right here.

(Photo credit: Greg Williams/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

You probably know Horatio Sanz most for his eight years of work on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, but the Funnyman has been keeping busy of late lending his talents to popular titles like Girls, Wreck-it Ralph, The Dictator and Video-on-Demand Hit Bachelorette.  Sanz arrived in Toronto late last week with his former SNL Castmates Rob Schneider and Chris Kattan to co-headline a Show at Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre and he has extended his stay in the City, co-hosting all week long on one of my favourite shows, Global Television‘s The Morning Show – National Edition.

The still-slimmer Sanz touched-upon some Hot Topics today with Liza Fromer, Rosey Edeh, Antony Robart and Kris Reyes, including a recent brawl between Singers Chris Brown and openly-gay Frank Ocean.  He posed the question on Twitter earlier this week: “Chris Brown: Rihanna, Frank Ocean…What’s next ‘Old Ladies’??”.  He added today on the Show, “I think for a little of Girls he’s the Bad Boy and a for a lot of young Boys and Girls that’s what they’re into.”.

Rosie O’Donnell also came-up on today’s Show as Entertainment Tonight Canada Host Cheryl Hickey stopped by to promote her upcoming guest appearance on Season Two of Bomb Girls.  O’Donnell was announced recently to be  guest-starring on the Toronto-filmed Series and as you might recall, Sanz also used to impersonate her on SNL also.  He recalls, “I’d watch certain things she’d do like her laugh and I’d do certain things she’d do like shoot those Koosh Balls around.”.

Despite it pouring out, Sanz was kind enough to stop for a quick Snap as he head into his SUV – but not before he put-away his Tim Hortons, getting a quick Crash Course from his Driver on navigating  our tricky  Toronto Waste Receptacles. Incredible getting to meet him after enjoying his work for many years now!

Watch more here.

Follow Sanz on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

With the Premiere of Beautiful Creatures soon before us, promotion for the Film is reaching a feverish pitch. I challenge you not to see a TV Spot for the Movie these days!  Alice Englert, who stars as Lena in the Film Adaptation of the Novel by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, has the distinction of appearing in the February 2013 issue of Vanity Fair with an Interview by Krista Smith and some gorgeous Photos of her in Lanvin, Chanel, Calvin Klein and Oscar De La Renta, by Williams & Hirakawa.

Englert, 18-year-old Daughter of acclaimed Filmmaker Jane Campion, reveals the Vanity Fair that she plans soon to move to London after having grown-up in Australia, saying “I always had a real crush on London. And I feel like we need to make that date and do it.”. Click here to read more.

Meanwhile, a stunning new five-minute Featurette for Beautiful Creatures has been released. Watch it over at Entertainment Weekly.

It’s not too late still for a chance to win a Double Pass to the Advance Screening of Beautiful Creatures via Mr. Will Wong. Click here to get in!

Word is, one of the talented Cast Members will be visiting Toronto soon for a bit of Press.  Stay tuned.

Beautiful Creatures opens Valentine’s Day.

(Photo credit: Vanity Fair/Williams & Hirakawa)

90210hMyGod!  Those of us who grew-up in the ’90s will remember obsessing Thursday nights over Beverly Hills, 90210. I’d agonize waiting on the edge known as the lives of Brenda, Brandon, Donna, Dylan, Steve and Kelly, providing enough Lunch Room Gossip to occupy much of my Teens.  The FOX Series was both the blessing and bane of my existence in that I adored the Series, yet often I’d stress what to wear on Non-Uniform Days (Catholic High School) because it dictated much of the styles of the Era for us.  Most of us wanted to be the Kids of Beverly Hills, 90210, which would go on to pave the way for successful Series like The O.C., Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars.

Toronto is fortunate enough to host the still incredibly-stunning Jennie Garth, who starred on the Series as Kelly Taylor – spoiled, troubled and intriguing at once.  In addition to having a v. steady career on TV since the Series ended, she more recently has starred on her own CMT Reality Series A Little Bit Country and also reprising the role she made famous on the revived 90210.

The Actress has been in-town for the past month filming ABC Family Movie Home Again, which has her starring alongside hunky Canadian Cameron Mathison.   The Movie, which is set to air November 2013, is about a successful Businesswoman who is sent to her Hometown to persuade the Locals on the idea of building a big Discount Store.  She tumbles down the stairs, waking-up in an alternate reality where she never left her Hometown, marrying her Childhood Sweetheart.  It sounds like Peggy Sue Got Married-meets-New in Town and I loved both! LOL

Garth has efficiently been dividing her time coast to coast, spending a couple weekends with her Kids back in California between her up-to-17 hour workdays in Toronto.  Fortunately, her beautiful Dog Pearl has been here to keep her company all the while and maybe even a little someone special.  Some local businesses also have won Garth over including Bakery Life is Sweet and Jazz & Blues Bar The Rex, which she has given shout-outs to via Twitter.

Myself and a couple Fans braved the chill and rain after spotting Garth‘s Trailer as she filmed downtown tonight.  It’s as if she hasn’t aged at all since the ’90s, her hair and make-up looking just perfect.  Locked-out of her Trailer, she took a quick moment to stop and pose for Photos before wrapping for the night.  Garth of course tells us she loves our City, confirming this being her second time here. She’s everything I thought she’d be.

Home Again wraps Friday.  Follow Jennie Garth on Twitter here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Since I heard about it being in development, I’ve been super-excited for Oz The Great and Powerful.  Starring James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis, the Fantasy directed by Sam Raimi follows the Story of Oscar (Franco) who transforms himself from a small-time Circus Magician into the greatest Wizard of all. He doesn’t get there however without convincing three Witches first, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who just aren’t buying his greatness.

Opening March 8, 2013 via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, a Sneak Peak of Oz The Great and Powerful will be presented during this Sunday’s Super Bowl, but you can see it first here!

Watch the Teaser below:

(Photo/video credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held tonight at The Shrine in Los Angeles, as one of the final major Awards Ceremonies leading up to next month’s Oscars.  The Awards, which allow Actors to honour their v. own, recognize both Film and Television Performers.  As is the case with the SAG Awards, what makes it unique is that their is now Best Picture Award as the Ceremony honours performances strictly.  This year, Dick Van Dyke was the honourary Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Winning top honours tonight was Argo for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, which is making it seem increasingly likely as a real Best Picture Candidate at the Oscars, considering its Motion Picture – Drama win at the Golden Globes a couple weeks back.  Actor/Director Ben Affleck, who was a noticeable omission from the Directing Category at the Oscars, delivered a heartfelt and funny Speech, remembering to thank Wife Jennifer Garner: “I wanna thank my Wife, who I love, and my Kids, and Warner Brothers, who I love, but not as much.”.  The Ensemble Cast from Argo includes: Clea Duvall, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé, Tate Donovan and more.

Lincoln also continues to be a major presence this Awards Season with Daniel Day-Lewis solidifying his case for Best Actor at the Oscars with a win  for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture.  This counts as his third win at the Awards, after previously having won in 2003 and 2008 for Gangs of New York and There Will Be Blood. In what was a competitive Category, Tommy Lee Jones too was awarded Supporting Actor, Film for his work in Lincoln too after having been defeated by Christoph Waltz a couple weeks ago at the Golden Globes.

Jennifer Lawrence, who despite recovering from Pneumonia still ventured-out in her Dior Couture (same label as her Golden Globes Dress), pulled-off a surprise upset over an Alexander McQueen-clad Jessica Chastain, with her spirited work in Silver Linings Playbook.  While accepting the Award, even Katniss herself couldn’t avoid a slight Wardrobe Malfunction with her dress appearing to tear at the knees, although it was later confirmed via Dior that in fact this was part of the design.

Meanwhile,  Anne Hathaway won Supporting Actress, Film for her stunning performance in Les Misérables, her first ever SAG Award and just one of many won of late.  The Actress stunned in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, daring in a black Dress which drew some parallels to her scandal-inducing Tom Ford Dress worn at the New York City Premiere for the Film in December.

Now into its final Season, 30 Rock nabbed two Awards for Actor and Actress in Television Series, Comedy with both Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey respectively, while the Cast of Modern Family for a third time won Ensemble Cast, Comedy, Television Series.  ITV British Import Downton Abbey won Ensemble Cast, Drama, Television Series.

For Television Movie or Miniseries, both Film Veterans Kevin Costner and Juliane Moore were victorious for their work in History’s Hatfields and McCoys and HBO‘s Game Change respectively.  Claire Danes also continues her domination this Awards Season, winning for her work on Showtime‘s Homeland for Actress, Television Series, Drama, while  Cranston won Actor Award, Television Series, Drama  for AMC’s Breaking Bad (making him a double-Winner also for Argo), beating-out Danes’ Co-Star Damian Lewis who won at the Golden Globes.

Toronto Viewers tonight were inconvenienced by technical glitches, delaying the broadcast of the SAG Awards on Global Television. Finally at approximately 9:00 PM the issue was resolved, but not without   Torontonians first being so outraged that they took to Twitter to vent so much that the Station trended.  Bad Publicity can be good too perhaps.

Read Global Television‘s Tweets about the glitches below:

 See some of the best looks from the SAG Awards tonight including  my favourite, Chastain and Seyfried in Zac Posen:

Complete List of Winners here.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Warner Bros.)

Critics didn’t like it v. much, but Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D opens solidly, debuting at number one this weekend with $19 million in North America for Paramount Pictures.  The Action-Fantasy starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton opened in 3,372 theatres, was made for $50 million and performed particularly well overseas including Russia where it earned $8.6 million alone on Friday.  Audiences gave the Film a B over at Cinemascore, which suggests it might not be as bad as Critics made it seem, earning only 15% at Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.

Last week’s Champ, Mama slips to second but still is going well with $12.9 million for Universal Pictures/eOne Films.  In two weeks it has grossed an impressive $47.5 million domestically.

Now into its eleventh week of release, Silver Linings Playbook continues to benefit from its Oscar Buzz in third, earning $10 million for The Weinstein Co./Alliance Films (eOne Films) from 2,641 theatres, keeping another Best Picture Contender,  Zero Dark Thirty, at bay in fourth with $9.8 million from 2,929 theatres.

Parker from FilmDistrict/eOne Films opens with $7 million this weekend in fourth.  The Action Flick starring Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez garnered overall negative reviews (35% on Rotten Tomatoes), but Audiences responded with a B+ Cinemascore.

Django Unchained still is hanging-in sitting in fifth with $5 million and right behind in sixth is The Farrelly Brothers‘ latest RomCom Movie 43 which boasts an All-Star Cast, but still managed only to pull-in $5 million in its debut for Relativity Media/Alliance Films (eOne Films).  The Cast includes: Kate Winslet, Josh Duhamel, Johnny Knoxville, Chloe Moretz, Hugh Jackman, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman, Anna Faris,  Chris Pratt, Gerard Butler, Snooki, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Sudeikis and many more.  Critics were particularly tough, the Film tallying only 6% on the Tomatometer. Audiences were equally tough with an unimpressed Cinemascore of a D.

Broken City rounds-out the Top Ten in its second week with $3.8 million ($15 million earned to date), almost on its way to recouping half of its $35 million budget.