A meat-ing of the minds! Made famous in these parts by the A&E Reality Show Wahlburgers, the Burger Restaurant of the same name opened its first franchise location officially tonight in Toronto! Situated at the Soho Metropolitan Hotel, just minutes from the Rogers Centre, the 120-seat Establishment is the brainchild of Brothers Paul, Donnie and Mark Wahlberg with locally-sourced recipes helmed by the former.
Several Fans braved the cold, some coming as far as New York City, Ottawa and Peterborough for a chance to see the Brothers in-person. Television Personality Jenny McCarthy, married to Donnie, also came to ring-in the festivities. Although Mark originally was slated to appear, it is said that a last-minute emergency prevented him from making the trek north this weekend.
Arriving at 6:00 PM sharp, it was pure fandemonium on a closed-down strip of Blue Jays Way. Both Donnie and Jenny stopped to sign autographs for Fans, before heading-in to greet guests at their Private Party. Media meanwhile waited patiently in the cold for an extended duration after their arrival before being given an opportunity to talk to the in-attendance Wahlberg Brothers. Towards the end of the Party also, Paul came out to greet ecstatic Fans on the street.
We had the chance to try Mark‘s Thanksgiving Burger, which was sinfully-delicious, combining common Thanksgiving Day leftovers on seasoned ground turkey, with homemade roasted butternut squash and stuffing – smothered in an orange-cranberry sauce. Our only complaint – the standard 5 oz. portion was meager. What Wahlburgers need to understand is that Torontonians – although quality-conscious – love to eat. A side order of Sweet Potato Tots also were a crispy delight, although we found ourselves rather hungry still after our meal. Next on our agenda is Donnie‘s BBQ Bacon Burger... in the 8 oz. size obviously!
We enjoyed the relaxed, casual atmosphere and Wahlberg Brother adornments throughout the space and fun 80s-90s Music blaring!
To learn more about Wahlburgers Toronto (64 Blue Jays Way) and its hours, click here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It finally is happening! After soft launching recently, the long-awaited WAHLBURGERS Restaurant in Toronto finally is ready to be unveiled officially!
Coming-in for the festivities at the Green Carpet Affair are none other than The Wahlberg Brothers: Donnie, Paul and Mark this Saturday and also the lovely, Jenny McCarthy.
The Restaurant, inspired by the Brothers’ Childhood Favourites growing-up in Hingham, Massachusetts, is v. much Chef-Driven. They promise also to introduce some Canadian-catered items on the Menu in forthcoming months as part of their Burger of the Month program.
Highlighing the Menu are:
· Mark’s Choice: “The Thanksgiving Burger” made with fresh ground and seasoned turkey dressed with Paul’s orange cranberry sauce, homemade roasted butternut squash and stuffing.
· Donnie’s Choice: “The BBQ Bacon Burger” topped with white cheddar cheese, bacon and avocado, finished with jalapenos and a house-made BBQ sauce.
· Paul’s Choice: The Wahlburgers original “Our Burger” made fresh to order with the restaurant’s special blend of beef topped with government cheese (American cheese), dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion and finished with the signature Wahl sauce.
All burgers are made of 100% pure Canadian Beef and the Menu also includes other Sandwiches and Salads. It is said their Sweet Potato Tots are quite a hit!
Wahlburgers is situated at the Soho Metropolitan Hotel at 318 Wellington Ave. West in Toronto. The 120-seat Restaurant opens Sunday-Wednesday 11:30 AM to midnight and Thursday-Saturday 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM.
Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/WahlburgersCA
https://twitter.com/wahlburgersca
http://instagram.com/wahlburgersca
We’ll be there bringing you highlights from the Green Carpet! Stay tuned. We’ve been dreaming about sinking our teeth at long last into one of these famous Burgers!
(Photo credit: Wahlburgers)
A bit of a slower day today on the Photo front, Wongsters! It rained and rained and rained and finally after subsiding a bit I think we’re good to go again. We did spot some pretty exciting names though today, thus far!
Kate Winslet is just too perfect. Love her and it tears me apart that my first time seeing her today was under less than ideal circumstances. The Academy Award Winner arrived at her Press Conference for Labor Day (premiering tonight at Ryerson Theatre), throwing over a quick wave to Fans before being rushed in. On her way out she rolled down her window quickly and threw a hand wave. Mesmerized.
Josh Brolin, who stars opposite Winslet in Labor Day under more ideal circumstances would’ve given more to Fans, but I managed to get this Snap of him waving goodbye through a sea of Umbrellas to Fans after completing a Press Conference for the Oscar-buzzed Drama by Director Jason Reitman.
By total chance, I crossed paths with the lovely Jennifer Garner as she was downtown doing a bit of shopping. Mrs. Ben Affleck was seen without the Mr. and it is said she enjoyed a Salad for lunch today in advance of her Red Carpet Premiere for HIV-Drama Dallas Buyers Club in which she stars opposite Matthew McConaughey.
Although not here for TIFF ’13 specifically, they sure timed it well. Brothers Donnie and Paul Wahlberg arrived in Toronto today to promote their upcoming upscale Burger Restaurant, WAHLBURGERS, meeting Fans at the Soho-Metropolitan Hotel today. After running out of Burgers quickly, the rest of the Fans were given Gift Cards for future purchase of a Burger when the first Canadian location opens in 2014!
Funnyman Tom Arnold made a surprise appearance at the Roy Thomson Hall Premiere of Mike Myers‘ Documentary, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon today and he was spotted out and about partying this evening, much to my surprise. The former Husband of Roseanne Barr was even awesome enough to stop to pose for Pics!
Jack Huston is definitely an emerging Talent to come into TIFF ’13 with a significant amount of buzz. The Nephew of Danny Huston and Anjelica Huston stars in Kill Your Darlings, which premieres tomorrow night at Roy Thomson Hall. He has been seen most recently on HBO‘s Boardwalk Empire.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises we’ve seen at TIFF was ’90s Megastar Crooner Michael Bolton out partying tonight with his Buddy, Toronto Director Paul Haggis (second below), who presents his latest work Third Person, a Romantic-Drama starring Olivia Wilde and Liam Neeson Monday night at VISA Screening Room! Both Bolton and Haggis were extremely gracious to stop and pose for Fans.
Maroon 5 Frontman debuted his first Feature Film, Can a Song Save Your Life tonight at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The handsome Singer was spotted at the uber-trendy Patria following his Premiere before calling it an early night. He soon will begin mentoring duties on the fourth Season of NBC‘s The Voice, premiering late September.
Still going strong, Director-Actress Couple Eli Roth and Lorenza Izzo are back at TIFF again this year with Green Inferno, premiering at the Festival’s Midnight Madness Program tonight. The two were spotted heading together to their Premiere. They certainly are not Strangers to Toronto having filmed Netflix‘s Hemlock Grove here last year.
Dane DeHaan‘s star is rising rather fast and in addition to starring in Kill Your Darlings alongside Daniel Radcliffe, he stars this time as Harry …Osborn in Amazing Spider-Man 2. The Actor was here last TIFF with The Place Beyond the Pines.
The stunning Freida Pinto is in Toronto partaking in the TIFF ’13 festivities and word is, she is raising awareness for an Indian Film Festival in development in the City. Definitely one of the few Actresses I know who can pull-off orange so effortlessly.
Actor/Director John Turturro and French Actress/Singer Vanessa Paradis (formerly Partner of Johnny Depp) were seen partying together in support of their TIFF ’13 Film, Fading Gigolo. Both were awesome to stop and interact with Fans tonight.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
*Photos taken on Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5.
After having set-up shop in October 2011, Wahlburgers soon will begin its Canadian expansions starting with a City which Brothers Donnie and Mark both love – Toronto! Amidst all the TIFF ’13 festivities, Donnie, Mark and their Brother Paul, whose title is Executive Chef for the Burger Chain, are all expected to attend a Green Carpet event in celebration of its launch at the SoHo-Metropolitan Hotel, where its first location will be built.
Among the Comfort Food Offerings:
Donnie’s Choice: “The BBQ Bacon Burger” topped with white cheddar cheese, bacon and avocado, finished with jalapenos and a house-made BBQ sauce.
Mark’s Choice: “The Thanksgiving Burger” made with fresh ground and seasoned turkey dressed with Paul‘s orange cranberry sauce, homemade roasted butternut squash and stuffing.
Paul’s Choice: The Wahlburgers original “Our Burger” made fresh to order with the restaurant’s special blend of beef topped with government cheese (American cheese), dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion and finished with the signature Wahl sauce.
Expect Macaroni Salad, Sweet Potato Tots, Fresh-Cut Fries and Alcoholic Milkshakes! There will be a Sports Bar, Seated and Takeaway options available as part of the dining experience.
More here.
(Photo credit: Wahlburgers)
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