This is not a drill! A refreshing twist is returning to the Starbucks beverage lineup. Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage, one of the original and most beloved Refreshers beverages, is making a juicy comeback, and just in time for a lime green Brat summer.

Starting August 13th, the citrusy sensation will be available at Starbucks stores across Canada for a limited time while supplies last, along with the NEW Lime Coconut Drink, Cool Lime Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage and Spicy Lime.

In 2012, Starbucks launched the Cool Lime Refreshers Beverage globally as one of its first-ever Refreshers Beverages, which delivered a distinctly new take on thirst-quenching refreshment while providing a natural boost of energy from green coffee extract and real fruit juice.

After leaving the menu in 2019, the Cool Lime Refreshers Beverage has amassed a massive following of loyal Canadian fans who’ve launched online petitions and regularly take to social media clamouring for a comeback. In fact, Starbucks has received more requests for it than any other beverage on the menu.

Here’s what you need to know about the returning and new beverages:

· Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage is a lively blend of lime flavour, shaken with ice and a real lime slice. It’s a delicious pick-me-up delivering zesty hydration. Caffeinated with Green coffee extract and served over ice, this is the pick-me-up your afternoon is calling for.

· For customers that enjoy the delightful zing of lemonade, NEW Cool Lime Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers® Beverage is a bright and refreshing beverage combining Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers® base, mint flavour and a real lime slice shaken with ice and lemonade.

· The NEW Lime Coconut Drink adds creamy coconut beverage to the Cool Lime Refreshers® beverage for a bright and dreamy sip.

· Continuing to build on the ‘swicy’ trend with the return of Starbucks line-up of Spicy Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers beverages, the new Spicy Lime brings together flavours of zesty lime and lemonade with a Spicy Chili Powder Blend that awakens the senses. A refreshing escape with plenty of heat!

Today we get a new Trailer for REBEL RIDGE starring Aaron Pierre (Brother), coming to Netflix September 6, 2024.

SYNOPSIS:

Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) enters the town of Shelby Springs on a simple but urgent mission– post bail for his cousin and save him from imminent danger. But when Terry’s life’s savings is unjustly seized by law-enforcement, he’s forced to go head to head with local police chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) and his combat-ready officers. Terry finds an unlikely ally in court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb) and the two become ensnared in a deep-rooted conspiracy within the remote township. As the stakes turn deadly, Terry must call upon his mysterious background to break the department’s hold on the community, bring justice to his own family– and protect Summer in the process.

From the acclaimed writer/director of Green Room, Blue Ruin and Hold The Dark, Rebel Ridge is a deeply human yet high-velocity thriller that explores corruption and morality in the context of bone-breaking action and ever-coiling suspense. Produced by Anish Savjani, Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino and Jeremy Saulnier, Rebel Ridge also stars David Denman, Emory Cohen, Steve Zissis, Zsané Jhé, Dana Lee and James Cromwell.

The world-renowned hotel and restaurant group, Nobu Hospitality, founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, officially opens its doors to its first Canadian restaurant and bar, Nobu Toronto. Located in Toronto’s vibrant Entertainment District, just one block from Toronto International Film Festival and the city’s lively nightlife at 25 Mercer St. Nobu Toronto’s striking and immersive interiors set a new global standard for interior design and create a captivating and multifaceted hospitality experience. Starting today, the public can make dinner reservations for Nobu Toronto’s second level restaurant online through the Nobu Toronto website, up to 1 month in advance, or visit Nobu Bar, located street level, now open for walk-in reservations serving a lighter selection of Nobu-Style dishes available between 5pm and 10pm daily.

Nobu Hospitality celebrates 30 years of excellence and innovation this year with Nobu Toronto representing the 56th location to join the esteemed global portfolio and the first in Canada. Featuring an extensive menu with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes, local specialties, and bold hand-crafted cocktails that pay homage to Toronto’s lively and multicultural food scene, Nobu Toronto promises an unparalleled dining experience. The Toronto menu includes Nobu’s world-famous Nobu-Style signature Japanese dishes like the black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño, wagyu dumplings, and spicy tuna crispy rice. Nobu Toronto’s Executive Chef Alex Tzatzos also introduces new dishes including grilled lamb rack with hacho miso, Chilean sea bass with red jalapeno miso, and spring chicken shiro miso with a selection of vegan and vegetarian options to suit every guest’s preference. Guests will also sip on Nobu’s most popular signature cocktails and mocktails like the lychee and elderflower martini, Nobu old fashioned, and Matsuhisa martini while shaking things up with new Toronto editions like the 1942 Hinode, Nobu Toronto’s interpretation of a tequila sunrise made with Don Julio 1942 Anejo and the Midnight in the 6ix, their answer to a traditional Manhattan. Guests of Nobu Bar, located below the restaurant, serving a lighter selection of Nobu-Style dishes available between 5pm and 10pm daily.

When discussing the opening of Nobu Toronto, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa remarked, “It is a tremendous privilege to introduce Nobu to Canada, with Toronto as our inaugural location—a city celebrated for its rich culinary scene and cultural diversity. What makes Nobu Toronto very unique is being surrounded by so many multicultural neighbourhoods which respect one another. We are excited to offer our signature dishes and thoughtful hospitality to the residents and visitors of Nobu Toronto, who deeply appreciate the Nobu brand. At Nobu, everything we do is guided by Kokoro, meaning ‘from the heart,’ and we look forward to sharing this ethos at Nobu Toronto.”

Designed by Toronto-based Studio Munge, the striking interior embodies a captivating blend of Japanese-inspired design and Canadian craftsmanship evoking dramatic sensory exploration across two levels. The dramatic interior masterpiece introduces a new standard for restaurant design excellence in Canada, setting the stage for Nobu’s sought-after energetic atmosphere which resonates across generations, attracting global tastemakers, influencers, and celebrities. Nobu Toronto’s innovative design and sprawling property allow guests to immerse themselves in a world where culture and luxury intertwine, creating an awe-inspiring experience unlike any other for the hospitality brand’s Canadian debut. Spanning 10,000 square feet across two-levels, Nobu Toronto offers a total of 280 seats. The restaurant’s dynamic design offers patrons a unique experience each time they visit, with each journey through the space providing an opportunity to become immersed in the restaurant’s rich history and seductive design. Anticipation continues to build surrounding Nobu in Canada with the hotel set to open its doors in Spring 2025.

“As we open our doors today, we are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work our team has shown over the past few months. We have meticulously finalized every detail to ensure that Nobu Toronto delivers an exceptional culinary offering on par with the world’s leading dining experiences”, says General Manager of Nobu Hotel Toronto, Benoit Pretet, “Our dynamic team has been eager to begin service and extend a warm welcome to both new guests and patrons who have enjoyed Nobu around the globe. With the restaurant debuting today and the upcoming opening of the Nobu Hotel, there is palpable anticipation surrounding our debut in Canada. It’s truly a momentous day for Toronto.”

Upon arrival at Nobu Toronto, guests will embark on a sensory journey through multiple distinct spaces, each meticulously crafted with storytelling and craftsmanship in every detail, setting the stage for the culinary adventure ahead. These spaces include:

Nobu Bar (ground level): Entering Nobu Toronto guests will be greeted by Nobu’s grand, yet intimate bar and lounge, with 57 seats enveloped in an alluring dark atmosphere. The bar’s main centrepiece is a breathtaking 28 foot bronze chainmail Lasvit chandelier that gracefully descends from the mezzanine level imitating the elegant drapery of a Japanese kimono as well as handcrafted Kawara Japanese roof tiles which dress warmly lit pillars that elevate the two-storey high bar.

Restaurant bar & outdoor terrace (mezzanine level): Continuing the journey upstairs towards the main dining room, guests are met with a 20-seat sake bar area, while passing by an intimate terrace reminiscent of serene urban Japanese gardens. Bringing to life the iconic Japanese artwork “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai Katsushika, the bar space is adorned in a harmonious blue and white colour palette expressed in the striking Blue Tempest stone and a hand-applied plaster finish that gracefully curves across the layered ceiling.

Nobu restaurant (second level): As guests proceed through the wave, they will reach the breathtaking blonde elm Japanese 140-seat courtyard dining room, including a private tasting room for 10 in a contrasting dark cherry wood. Circular timber beams featuring intricate Japanese joinery details gently ripple around a suspended light and porcelain art installation crafted by Canadian ceramic artist Andrea Braescu. Surrounded by circular banquettes connected by four striking columns around its perimeter, the exquisite art piece represents a Japanese ginkgo tree known as a “living fossil” – a symbol of peace, hope, and longevity.

Sushi bar (second level): At the 11-seat sushi bar guests can appreciate the masterful craft of the culinary team while engaging directly with the sushi chefs.

Private dining room (second level): Guests will notice an intimate 22-seat private dining room discreetly tucked behind the cascading chandelier. Enclosed within bronze-tinted glass panels, this celebratory space offers a glimpse of and a vantage point over the ground level bar, creating a captivating gallery view.

RESERVATIONS & HOURS

Nobu Restaurant
Hours
Sun to Thurs: 5:30pm – 10:00pm
Fri & Sat: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Nobu restaurant dinner reservations can be made up to 1 month in advance through the official website or by calling +1 (437) 887-1209 between 10:00 am and 9:15 pm daily.

Nobu Bar
Hours
Sun to Thurs: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Fri & Sat: 5:00pm – 11:30pm

Nobu Bar, located street level below the restaurant, is open for walk-in reservations only from 5pm daily. A lighter selection of Nobu-Style dishes is available until 10pm.

PRIVATE EVENTS & BUYOUTS

Nobu Toronto is now accepting reservations for the Private Dining Room and Tasting Room as well as buyouts of Nobu Bar and Nobu Restaurant. Please visit Nobu Toronto’s private events website to inquire.

NEWS & UPDATES

Stay updated by signing up here or follow Nobu Toronto on social media via @nobutoronto #NobuToronto.

Nobu Hotel Toronto

Dine with us. Stay with us. Rising 45-storeys in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant Entertainment District, Nobu announces its Canadian debut with the brand’s first-ever announced Nobu Hotel, Restaurant & Residences in the world. Founded by internationally renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Academy Award winner Robert De Niro and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, Nobu Hospitality blends modern luxury and minimal Japanese tradition with the energy of a lifestyle hotel. Opening Spring 2025, Nobu Hotel Toronto is situated above the historic Pilkington Glass Factory with two dramatic residential towers housing 660 units with the hotel located atop the west tower on floors 41 to 45, offering dazzling, panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline.

An urban sanctuary in the sky, the 36-suite hotel is Toronto’s most private retreat for guests seeking respite from the public eye, offering 24/7 personalized service. The largest in the city, our spacious suites welcome you to a haven of tranquility with warm neutral-tones and breathtaking floor-to-ceiling window views. Japanese spa-inspired bathrooms offer heated floors, double stone vanities, a Japanese Toto and luxurious rainfall shower while Nobu’s iconic deep-soaking wood tub situated beside the window invites guests to indulge in serene relaxation overlooking downtown Toronto.

Savour the flavours of our renowned Nobu-Style Japanese cuisine with South American influences at the highly anticipated 10,000 sq ft, two-level Nobu restaurant opening August 2024 with separate bar & lounge, two private dining rooms, sushi bar and outdoor terrace. Guests will find their zen at the hotel’s wellness centre with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, Peloton bikes, interactive pilates room or can explore the city on our stylish cruiser bikes. Refuel with access to Sakura Lounge – a private escape exclusively for hotel guests to enjoy breakfast and signature Nobu experiences or indulge in privacy with in-suite dining and complimentary mini bar.

For more information, visit www.nobuhotels.com/toronto.

TIFF is delighted to announce the 2024 selection for its Docs programme presented by A&E IndieFilms, featuring 21 titles from 24 countries around the world. This year’s lineup covers a wide range of experiences: comical, infuriating, revelatory, audacious, and profound, with an underlying theme of pushing back against corrupt systems. Audiences will encounter unforgettable figures such as former Vice host Eddie Huang, novelist Edna O’Brien, US politician Adam Kinzinger, disability rights activist Patrice Jetter, aerial cameraman Joe Jennings, and the haenyeo fisherwomen of South Korea. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 5–15, 2024.

New this year, we have asked a few TIFF Programmers to share their insights into this year’s films. Watch Docs Lead Programmer Thom Powers’ summary here:

The TIFF Docs programme features candid and unscripted stories, and the best in non-fiction cinema from around the world. The programme will open with Huang’s Vice is Broke, in which the former Vice contributor investigates the media company’s rise and fall. Several directors return to TIFF with attention-grabbing World Premieres, including Men of War, directed by Billy Corben (Screwball, Cocaine Cowboys) and Jen Gaiten, following someone recently arrested for arms smuggling in connection with a plot to overthrow Venezuela’s government; The Last Republican, directed by Steve Pink (The Wheel, Hot Tub Time Machine), profiling US conservative politician Kinzinger as he breaks ranks with the GOP to criticize Donald Trump; Space Cowboy, directed by Marah Strauch (Sunshine Superman) and Bryce Leavitt, which captures the stunning cinematography and complicated life of skydiver Jennings; So Surreal: Behind the Masks, directed by Neil Diamond (Reel Injun) and Joanne Robertson, which covers the effort to return cultural artifacts to the Yup’ik and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw nations; and Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story, directed by Sinéad O’Shea (Pray for Our Sinners, TIFF ’22), which profiles the groundbreaking Irish novelist who broke taboos with her sexual candour.

Other World Premieres include Halima Elkhatabi’s Living Together, Ted Passon’s Patrice: The Movie, Lina Vdovîi and Radu Ciorniciuc’s Tata, Anastasiia Bortuali’s Temporary Shelter, Santiago Esteinou’s The Freedom of Fierro, Sue Kim’s The Last of the Sea Women, and Ali Weinstein’s Your Tomorrow.

These TIFF Docs titles join a number of documentaries already announced for TIFF ’24 as part of the Gala programme, including the World Premieres of Elton John: Never Too Late, Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and the Canadian premiere of Will & Harper; as well as non-fiction works previously announced for the Platform competition, The Wolves Always Come at Night, which blends observed moments and recreated scenes, and Viktor; and for Centerpiece, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara.

2024 TIFF Docs Programme (in alphabetical order):

A Sisters’ Tale Leila Amini | Switzerland/France/Iran
International Premiere
Sales Title

Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story Sinéad O’Shea | Ireland/United Kingdom
World Premiere
Sales Title

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found Raoul Peck | France
North American Premiere

From Ground Zero Wissam Moussa, Nidal Damo, Ahmed Hassouna, Alaa Ayoub, Karim Satoum, Bashar Al Babisi, Khamis Masharawi, Nida’A Abu Hasna, Tamer Nijim, Ahmed Al Danaf, Rima Mahmoud, Muhammad Al Sharif, Basil El Maqousi, Mustafa Al Nabih, Rabab Khamis, Mustafa Kulab, Alaa Damo, Hana Eleiwa, Mahdi Kreirah, Aws Al Banna, Islam Al Zeriei, Etimad Washah | Palestine/France/Qatar/Jordan
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Living Together Halima Elkhatabi | Canada
World Premiere

Men of War Jen Gatien, Billy Corben | USA/Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Mistress Dispeller Elizabeth Lo | China/USA
North American Premiere
Sales Title

No Other Land Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor | Palestine/Norway
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

Patrice: The Movie Ted Passon | USA
World Premiere
Russians at War Anastasia Trofimova | Canada/France
North American Premiere
Sales Title

So Surreal: Behind the Masks Neil Diamond, Joanne Robertson | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Space Cowboy Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Sudan, remember us Hind Meddeb | France/Tunisia/Qatar
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Tata Lina Vdovîi, Radu Ciorniciuc | Romania/Germany/Netherlands
World Premiere
Sales Title

Temporary Shelter Anastasiia Bortuali | Iceland
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Freedom of Fierro Santiago Esteinou | Mexico/Canada/Greece
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Last of the Sea Women Sue Kim | USA
World Premiere

The Last Republican Steve Pink | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Vice is Broke Eddie Huang | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Wishing on a Star Peter Kerekes | Italy/Slovakia/Czech Republic/Austria/Croatia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Your Tomorrow Ali Weinstein | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

This is the sixth TIFF Takeover announcement and will be followed by Wavelengths and Classics tomorrow, and Primetime and Short Cuts on Friday. More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

Today we get a new red-bank Trailer for OUT COME THE WOLVES, from the same director of BACKCOUNTRY, Adam MacDonald. This will open in select theatres across Canada on August 30, 2024. The survival horror film will open in approximately 10 theatres in every province (including Quebec!) and day-and-date on VOD/Digital.

Synopsis:

At a remote cabin deep in the wilderness, a weekend of hunting turns to mayhem and a fight for survival when a pack of wolves attack a man, his female best friend, and her fiance. Director: Adam MacDonald Starring: Missy Peregrym, Damon Runyan, Joris Jarsky

There’s a new title igniting screens this month. Hollywood Suite is excited to announce the Canadian broadcast premiere of The Burning Season, directed by Sean Garrity and starring Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries) and Jonas Chernick (My Awkward Sexual Adventure). The film will premiere on Hollywood Suite’s 2000s Movies Channel on August 20, 2024 at 9pm ET. It tells a story of hope set against a cycle of self-destruction through infidelity, betrayal and love.

Receiving acclaim across its festival and theatrical release, The Burning Season has been presented with various awards including Best Feature Film from the Writers Guild of Canada Awards, Best Screenplay at the Canadian Film Fest, and the Borsos Award for Best Screenplay at the Whistler Film Festival.

“It’s hard to not get caught up in the mesmerizing messiness of an unconventional and spicy romantic drama,“ said Sharon Stevens, Vice-President of Programming for Hollywood Suite. “Sean Garrity has captured how complicated love can really be, yet again – a true master of the human experience.”

The Burning Season follows Alena and her husband who spend a summer up at Luna Lake Resort. JB runs the place. He and Alena begin a dangerous and passionate secret affair. Summers only. That’s the rule. Until they break it. Filmed in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, the story is told backwards to take audiences on a journey to find out why the characters made the decisions they did.

Today we get a new Teaser for A COMPLETE UNKNOWN starring Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan.

Synopsis:

New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. As he forms his most intimate relationships during his rise to fame, he grows restless with the folk movement and, refusing to be defined, makes a controversial choice that culturally reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.

Directed by: James Mangold

Written by: Jay Cocks & James Mangold

Produced by: Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen, Timothée Chalamet, James Mangold

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz and Scoot McNairy

In “The Last of the Sea Women,” an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors wages a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor—without oxygen —to harvest seafood for their livelihood. Today, with most haenyeo now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, hardworking women refuse to give an inch, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. Peering into what drives haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary zeroes in on their tight-knit friendships, savvy independence, and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an uplifting tale of women taking on world powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspiring a new generation.

“The Last of the Sea Women” is directed and produced by Sue Kim. The film is produced by Malala Yousafzai through her production company Extracurricular along with Erika Kennair. Nicole Stott, Emily Osborne, Harry Go and Marissa Torres Ericson serve as executive producers through A24.

“The Last of the Sea Women” will premiere as an official selection of the TIFF Docs Programme ahead of its global debut on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Director: Sue Kim

Producers: Sue Kim, Malala Yousafzai, Erika Kennair

Exec. Producers: Nicole Stott, Emily Osborne, Harry Go, Marissa Torres Ericson

Today Apple TV+ revealed its first teaser for “Disclaimer,” the highly anticipated and gripping psychological thriller starring Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Told in seven chapters, the limited series will make its global debut on Friday, October 11, 2024 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through November 15, 2024.

Written and directed by five-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, “Disclaimer” is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Renée Knight. Acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) built her reputation revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others. When she receives a novel from an unknown author, she is horrified to realize she is now the main character in a story that exposes her darkest secrets.

As Catherine races to uncover the writer’s true identity, she is forced to confront her past before it destroys both her own life and her relationships with her husband Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The ensemble cast includes Lesley Manville, Louis Partridge, Leila George, Hoyeon, and features Indira Varma as the narrator.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Disclaimer” is co-produced by Esperanto Filmoj and Anonymous Content. Cuarón executive produces for Esperanto Filmoj alongside Gabriela Rodriguez. In addition to starring, Blanchett serves as executive producer. David Levine and the late Steve Golin executive produce for Anonymous Content. Academy Award winner Emmanuel Lubezki, Donald Sabourin and Carlos Morales also executive produce. Renée Knight serves as co-executive producer. Lubezki and Academy Award nominee Bruno Delbonnel serve as directors of photography. The score is composed by multiple Academy and GRAMMY Award winner Finneas O’Connell.

Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favourite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have earned 501 wins and 2,286 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”

DISCLAIMER*

*Any resemblance to persons living or dead is not a coincidence.

Culinary connoisseurs are in for an epic Japanese-French collaboration between two renowned chefs, showcased in an exclusive two-night dinner series. French fine-dining restaurant Lucie helmed by executive chef Arnaud Bloquel, and Japanese fine-dining restaurant Miku Toronto helmed by chef de cuisine Junnosuke Fujikawa, are bringing their teams together for the first time to curate a multi-course celebration of Japanese-French cuisine. This unforgettable collaboration will take place for two days only on August 28, 2024 at Lucie (100 Yonge St.) at 6:00PM and on October 9, 2024 at Miku Toronto (#105-10 Bay St.) at 6:30PM.

This collaboration will blend the finest elements of French and Japanese cuisine, creating a unique experience that combines the rich, refined techniques of classic French cooking with the delicate, nuanced flavors of Japanese culinary tradition. Guests can expect an extraordinary six-course menu with wine and sake pairings (optional add-on for October 9 at Miku Toronto) that marries the opulence of French gastronomy with the elegance of Japanese ingredients, resulting in a harmonious fusion.

Restaurant Lucie’s executive chef Arnaud Bloquel was born in France and grew up in the Caribbean, where he became curious about different cultures and tastes. Passionate about exploring cooking, he honed his skills under the guidance of head chefs at restaurants including Hôtel du Palais and La Chèvre d’Or in France. After opening his own restaurant in Guadeloupe, in 2018, he was awarded the title of Best Master Restaurateur in France and his restaurant was voted Best in the Caribbean by the Gault et Millau guide. Today, chef Bloquel is leading the culinary team at Restaurant Lucie, where he is focused on turning his unique and advanced expertise into a fulfilling, special experience for guests.

“Although many people may think that French and Japanese food is very different, there are a lot of similarities in our ingredients and techniques. I’m very excited to work with Junnosuke from Miku and blend our cuisines together,” says Restaurant Lucie’s executive chef Arnaud Bloquel.

Miku Toronto’s chef de cuisine Junnosuke Fujikawa hails from Awaji Island, Japan, renowned for its Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and abundant local vegetables. His culinary journey began with experimenting with these premium ingredients while working in his parents’ hotels. Upon first venturing to Canada, Junnosuke spent five enriching years in Kelowna, BC, where he delighted in crafting Japanese cuisine paired with the region’s exceptional wines. His deep connection to ABURI Restaurants’ philosophy, which emphasizes innovation in the food and hospitality industry, resonates with his own aspirations. As chef de cuisine, Junnosuke brings his extensive knowledge and skills to lead, support, and teach the Miku Toronto team, fostering a collaborative and innovative kitchen environment.

“Getting the opportunity to work with chef Arnaud is very exciting. Although we come from different backgrounds, this collaboration is an opportunity to blend our cuisines together,” says Miku’s chef de cuisine Junnosuke Fujikawa.

Tickets for the first collaboration dinner on August 28 hosted at Lucie can be purchased HERE.

Tickets for the second collaboration dinner on October 9 hosted at Miku can be purchased HERE.

A special thank you to our beverage sponsors San Pellegrino and G.H. Mumm Champagne.