Finally! This certainly isn’t my first time meeting handsome Singer/Musician/Actor Peter Gallagher, but was it ever worth the wait!  Known best as Sandy Cohen on The O.C., Gallagher has been in and out of Toronto for the past few years filming USA Network‘s acclaimed Series, Covert Affairs.

The New York-Native had a break in his schedule tonight to pop into the Launch of Celebrity Chef Susur Lee‘s exciting new Chinese Restaurant Luckee at the Soho Metropolitan Hotel, where he took tons of Photos with local Media types.

Read about the last time we spotted Gallagher here back in 2010.

See our Snap below:

And by the way, we love the Signage at Luckee and would love one in our Bedroom!

The Fifth Season of Covert Affairs premieres later this year.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/USA Network)

21-year-old Singing Sensation Sam Smith already has taken much of the World by storm. Up next though is the tricky North American market. If the buzz surrounding him stateside of late is any indication, Smith could well  be on his way to being the biggest Act to come out of the U.K. since Adele. The parallels are there certainly, both being crowned with the distinction of the BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice and also the BBC Sound of 2014 Awards (Adele won in 2008).

The soulful Crooner quickly sold-out his The Mod Club in Toronto debut after originally having been scheduled for March but postponed due to illness. His brief, intimate Set previewing material from his forthcoming Disc, In The Darkest Hour,  was met with thunderous applause, saving for last his most powerful piece – latest Single, Stay with Me. There literally were Fans in tears leaving the Venue so touched by his performance.

I was one of the couple lucky enough to get to meet Smith during his all-too-brief Toronto stay. Dressed extremely dapper from head- to-toe, he greeted me graciously with a handshake, telling me it was a pleasure to meet me!

The Singer had an early night, retiring back to his Hotel for an early morning New York Flight as he is scheduled to appear on Late Show with David Letterman tomorrow night. In his little time here however, he did manage to take in some of the Sushi of Little Italy!

Check-out the soulful Stay with Me below:

See our Snap:

Universal Music Canada release In the Darkest Hour on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.  More details here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music Canada)

On Newstands this Friday, People Magazine unveils their annual 50 Most Beautiful People Issue!  Few can argue that the words LUPITA NYONG’O have been on our lips much of late and a deserving Winner of the Title Most Beautiful Woman the Oscar Winner is, indeed!  The 31-year-old Actress who starred in Best Picture Winner 12 Years a Slave, while wowing on several Red Carpets this Awards Season tells People that she had tried every colour of hair except blonde as a Teen and even went as far as shaving her head completely before mastering her look ultimately.

Other on the Issue this year include the likes of Keri Russell, Julianna Marguiles, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, P!nk, Mind Kaling, Stacy Keibler and Amber Heard.

Read more here!

(Photo credit: People)

“It’s a Reinvention, not just a Re-telling of the Same Story.”.

A brand-new Featurette has been released for Disney‘s MALEFICENT and here we get a Sit-down with the Star herself, Angelina Jolie, and Elle Fanning, who plays Aurora, as we get another two-minute peak at we can expect from this eagerly-awaited Fantasy.

Official Synopsis:

MALEFICENT explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

Watch the Featurette below:

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada release MALEFICENT on Friday, May 30, 2014.

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

For a third consecutive week, Captain America: The Winter Solider dominates the Box Office this Easter Weekend, bringing-in a hefty $26.6 million.  To-date, the Sequel has grossed $200 million in North America for Disney, warding-off a challenge from Rio 2 once again.

Repeating last week’s second place finish, 20th Century Fox‘s Rio 2 earns $22.5 million this weekend, a two-week total of $75.9 million.

Religious-themed Heaven is for Real in its debut, opens with a surprising $22.2 million from 2,417 theatres for Sony Pictures.  Starring Greg Kinnear, Margo Martindale, Thomas Haden Church and Kelly Reilly, the Film is a True Story about a Father who must find the strength and conviction to share his Son’s extraordinary experience with the World. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore, while Critics gave it a 56% on the Tomatometer.

Sci-Fi-Thriller, Transcendence, opens in fourth for Warner Bros. with $11.2 million from 3,455 theatres, below expectations.  The Film starring Rebecca Hall and Johnny Depp didn’t fare well with Critics, tallying 20% on the Tomatometer and a C+ CinemaScore from Audiences.

A Haunted House 2 opens with $9.1 million in fifth for Open Road Films, from 2,310 theatres. The Marlon Wayans Spoof Comedy couldn’t quite top its Predecessor which debut last Spring with $18 million. Critics gave it 7% on the Tomatometer, while Audiences gave it a B- CinemaScore.

Rounding-out the Top Ten are God’s Not Dead with $4.9 million in its fifth week, followed by Disney Nature‘s Bears  with $4.7 million from 1,720 theatres, the latter receiving a stellar 88% rating on the Tomatometer and a great A CinemaScore.

Following-up his Oscar-nominated Animal Kingdom from 2010, Director/Writer David Michôd will premiere his latest, The Rover in Cannes this May as part of their Midnight Screenings Program.

Official Synopsis:
A Loner tracks the gang who stole his car from a desolate town in the Australian outback with the forced assistance of a wounded guy left behind in the wake of the theft.

The Rover stars: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones and Susan Prior.

See the semi-sweet Trailer here:

Those of us hoping for a TIFF ’14 Premiere, will have their hopes dashed as it gets a Canadian release June 20, 2014 in Canada via eOne Films, whom are represented by not one, but THREE Canadian Films in Cannes this May including: David Cronenberg‘s Maps to the Stars (also starring Pattinson!), Xavier Dolan‘s Mommy and Atom Egoyan‘s The Captive!

(Photo/video credit: A24 Films)

I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD. To find a great place in Toronto I admit is a bit of challenge. I’m not talking about Tex-Mex, I’m talking the Real Deal! Milagro Cantina may be tucked away on a corner of Mercer Street, but it’s time the amazing flavours of Chef Arturo Anhalt became known to Torontonians.

I had the pleasure of attending a Private Tasting the other night, hosted by a handsome and gracious Anhalt. Sumptuous Menu Selections included: Tostadita De Pulpo (crispy Tostada with Octopus Ceviche), Ensalada César (Romaines, Lime, Parmesan, Anchovy & Garlic Vinaigrette served on a Corn Tortilla), Cochinita Pibil (Pulled Pork in Achiote, Refritos, Pickled Onions on a Corn Tortilla) and Pierna De Cordero (Braised Lamb Shank in Guajillo, Beer & Mezcal, Papas). Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to try the popular Mole Poblano (Grilled Chicken, Homemade Mole, Mexican Rice), but it went over v. well with other Guests.

The 2010 Viña Clavidor Bodegas Vidal, Verdejo Viura was a beautiful pairing with the Pulled Pork!

And can I tell you how my favourite part was saved for last? The Dessert was beyond phenomenal. I’ve never been a Flan Fan, but I can tell you I am in love with their delicious, Flan De Queso Al Caramelo (Caramel Flan) and the delightful Natilla De Cajeta (Dulce De Leche Crème Brûlée). Silky-smooth and every bite sweet intensity. More, please.

I was thrilled to hear my Fave, Chilaquiles, is on the Menu. I’ll be back!

MILAGRO CANTINA – there are three locations for you to try in Toronto! Learn more about their Menu here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

For a change, a different type of Ford is the Talk of the Town in Toronto! Celebrating 50 years of sleek fearlessness, Ford Canada fêted its prized MUSTANG last night in Toronto at 99 Sudbury, recent site of Private Parties for Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.   Increasing its Horsepower and Torque, combining for the first time ever an EcoBoost Engine, the 2015 Ford Mustang, currently in-production and to be released late 2014, was the Centerpiece of the Evening.  See it here.

Guests had a chance to pose happily for Photos with the Classic 1961 Edition of the Convertible Ford Mustang, while dining on a sumptuous array of Offerings Lobster Poutine, Duck Confit Sandwiches and Roast Beef with Demi-Glace.  I couldn’t resist either!

Follow Ford Canada on Twitter for more here!

 If you haven’t driven a Ford lately, you’ll be shocked up much they’ve stepped-up their game.  Read all about my experience driving the Ford Focus recently!  Read about it here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Ford Canada)

There is a dark, magical quality to Lana Del Rey‘s Music. It’s almost like watching a suspenseful, moody Mystery every time. Her brand-new Track West Coast from eagerly-awaited upcoming Disc, Ultraviolence, is a gorgeous Ode to falling in love. Although the Album won’t be out till later this year, this is a scintillating taste of what’s to come. It’s a fascinating journey seeing her continue to grow into the stuff of Legends we all know she is.

Just one month till her Toronto Show!  One month!

See this Teaser Video for the Track:

Download WEST COAST here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

Communities participating in this historic Event include:

Vancouver, BC
Victoria, BC
Whistler, BC
Lethbridge, AB
Jasper, AB
Calgary, AB
Indian Head, SK
Regina, SK
Saskatoon, SK
Yorkton, SK
Flin Flon, MB
Glenlawn, MB
Winnipeg, MB
Ottawa, ON
Toronto, ON
St Catherine’s, ON
Peterborough, ON
Sault Ste Marie, ON
Thunder Bay, ON
Waterloo, ON
Montreal, PQ
Fredericton, NB
Saint John, NB
Charlottetown, PEI
St. John’s, NFLD
Halifax, NS
Yellowknife, NWT
Iqaluit, NU
Dawson City, YT
Whitehorse, YT

Films screening this year include the likes of Good Cop, Bad Cop, Passchendaele, The Sweet Hereafter, Meatballs and Decline of the American.

For a complete Lineup and Tickets, click here!

(Photo credit: Telefilm Canada)