Photo by Roofman and Paramount Pictures
From Jamie’s Desk:
The end of summer is always a bit depressing, but for the movie buffs there is a silver lining: film festival season kicks off with Venice, Telluride, and Toronto.
For anyone in the industry, this is when things start to come into focus. We see which films are all hype and no substance, which ones have the potential to succeed commercially, which ones win over the critics—and every now and then, the rare unicorn that does both.
I am beyond excited to be premiering my latest film, Roofman, at TIFF on Saturday, September 6th at Roy Thomson Hall. I’ve had some unforgettable moments at the festival over the years, starting with Blue Valentine in 2010, and later with Sugar, Mississippi Grind, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Wildflower.
What makes TIFF special is the mix of big studio releases, foreign films, and indies all sharing the same stage. And of course, the fact that it takes place in Canada’s most populous and arguably most important city (though Vancouver still gets my vote for best Canadian city).
There are many things I love about Canada—culinary masterpieces like poutine, ketchup chips and Sockeye salmon. Beautiful scenery. A wealth of talent that’s given us Drake, Shania Twain, Martin Short, Michael J Fox, Catherine O’Hara and more. Plus, hockey, curling, maple syrup, the RCMP…the list goes on. I love Canada. But this year, TIFF feels different.
We’re living in a time where Americans need to be on their best behavior, and do some damage control when it comes to our standing with our neighbors up north. As jokes get made about Canada becoming our 51st state, this is the time where the entertainment community can flex what might be our most important muscle: soft power. Usually, this is done through the films we make or the music we release. But this year, it’s just as much about our manners and kindness. So if you’re lucky enough to be heading north for the festival, remember to say please and thank you, tip well, and show our neighbors that we don’t just love Canada, we respect it.
If you’ll be at the festival, I’ve included a few favorite Toronto hotspots from me and the crew. Hope to see you there.
Discussed in this issue: Sam Harris, The Bear’s Matty Matheson, where to eat at TIFF, and Taylor Swift’s engagement
Have a restaurant rec, cultural gem, can’t-miss event, or a hot sauce that changed your life? Send it my way: [email protected]
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🎙️ We’ve decided to make a change to the Lunch With Jamie series so more of the Jamie’s List community can take part. Starting next week, all Zooms will be open to both Free Readers and Paying Subscribers for the month of September.
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Toronto isn’t just a great eating city, it’s also home to Matty Matheson, restaurateur and one of the stars of FX’s The Bear. I’ve frequented most of his restaurants, and it’s obvious why he was the right fit for what might be the best show ever made about the food service world. If you haven't watched The Bear yet, I’m not sure what to tell you—it’s perfect on every front. Not to mention, a handful of Jamie’s List subscribers are behind it including Matty Matheson, Lionel Boyce, Chris Storer, Courtney Storer, Jon Bernthal, and FX Co-President Nick Grad.
There’s a review of Matty’s Prime Seafood Palace below, but if you have time, you should also check out Ca Phe Rang, Matty’s Patty’s, Bar Clams, and Maker Pizza.
I asked Matty for his one must-hit Toronto spot (besides of his own). He gave me five: Island Foods, Pho Linh, Yummy Yummy Dumpling, Bonitos, and Bar Bowie.
Photo by Terroni
📍Terroni (Queen St Location) (reviewed by Kevin Drew)
Cuisine: Italian
Crew: Eater, Infatuation, Time Out
Good For: Dinner With Friends, Casual, Big Group, Great Wine List
Pro Tip: Make sure it’s the Queen St. location, as there are many around town. They all have their charms, but I’m selling the back patio from the Queen St. location. Golden time is between three and six o’clock for the cheap and lovely snack menu. The front bar is always a good time. If it’s raining, chill at the bar and go deep within its history.
What to Order: All the snacks are good. Pastas, pizzas, steak, fish, assorted salads and cheese dishes. Wine from the Italian Gods.
Notes: There is a small bites menu (available from 3-6 pm) that fulfills the passion for a quickie. The back patio is where you want to escape from the hustle of TIFF. Take the deal and the clients back there, crush a beautiful glass of wine and eat from the special menu. Twenty five minute walk from The TIFF Lightbox. The price is right. As the film industry dissolves into puddles of upper class hope, allow the warmth of Terroni to help you enjoy yourself in the unknown carpet burns of celebrity culture calling the shots. Hit the patio and remember why you wanted to be in the film industry in the first place. Vibe is still the best director there is.
Photo by Rol San
📍Rol San (reviewed by Jamie Patricof)
Cuisine: Dim Sum
Crew: Time Out, Eater, Condé Nast Traveler
Good For: Big Group
Pro Tip: The perfect place for a quick bite when you are between screenings or meetings.
What to Order: When you go to Dim Sum there are a few musts in my opinion. I have put in the phonetic Chinese pronunciation to help with the ordering: Har Gow (shrimp dumpling), Shiu Mai (pork and shrimp dumpling), Char Siu Bao (steamed bun with BBQ pork), Ha Chueng Fan (shrimp Rice roll), Ham Sui Gok (Deep Fried dumpling with pork, also referred to as the "Chinese football"), Gao Choi Gao (pan fried dumpling with shrimp and chives) and finally what I think is the most important, Pan Fried Noodles, this differs in name, but you want Hong Kong style (crispy noodle with a sauce on top).
Notes: You all know my thoughts on why LA Chinese is the best outside of Hong Kong (if you don't know why read this article in the Atlantic). That being said, the one thing Toronto (and NY, Vancouver and SF) do better than LA is Cantonese food. So when you are in those cities, make sure you get your fix. There are a bunch of places I have been to over my years of going to the festival, but Rol San was the first one I went to in 2010 and I always try and go back. Now this is not a place for those looking for white table cloths and linen napkins. You are in the heart of Chinatown, and it is a very authentic restaurant. Despite the no-frills approach, I can promise you that you will leave full and without having emptied your wallet.
Photo by Prime Seafood Palace
📍Prime Seafood Palace (reviewed by David Katzenberg)
Cuisine: Seafood
Crew: Jon Buscemi, Matt Karatz, Michelin Guide, Eater, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appetit
Good For: Date Night, Big Group, Dinner with Friends
Pro Tip: They have one of the best caviar services I’ve ever experienced. It’s worth the splurge.
What to Order: Prime Rib, Palace Potatoes, Sicilian Crudo, Lobster Pasta, Shrimp Cocktail
Notes: Matty Matheson’s Prime Seafood Palace is by far my favorite dining experience of the year. This Toronto-based restaurant is more than just a meal—it’s a full-on celebration of food, elevated by Matheson’s passion for fine dining and his signature no-nonsense personality. From the moment I first walked in I knew I was in for a treat. I was working in Toronto for six weeks without my family and honestly hitting Prime Seafood Palace once a week kept me sane.
The menu is a testament to Matheson’s mastery, featuring a little bit of everything with a focus on simplicity and quality. The seafood is phenomenal, however this place is about more than that. Matty's ability to blend old-school techniques with modern flair means even sides and sauces are thoughtfully crafted and memorable. I even tried stuff I normally don’t like and I loved it. Anyhow, I am writing this in Los Angeles while on a Zoom and my mouth is watering.
Honorary LA Spot
For those of you who aren't heading to the festival, below is an LA spot to keep you well fed.
Photo by LA Times
📍Meals by Genet (reviewed by Jamie Patricof)
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Crew: Eli Meyer, Chris Rice, David Nathanson, James Ponsoldt, Anthony Jacobson, LA Times, Eater, Infatuation, Condé Nast Traveler, Time Out
Good For: Date Night, Dinner with Friends, Big Group, Casual
Pro Tip: Their hours are very limited, so make sure to check in advance. Order the Ethiopian beer and house wine (although it’s very sweet).
What to Order: Yebere Siga Tibs, Chicken Tibs, Dorowat and Vegetarian Combination
Notes: This is one of the most iconic places in LA that most people haven’t been to. This place opened in 2000, and minus the brief post-COVID hiatus that lasted until 2024, Chef Genet Agonafer just reached the quarter century mark which is pretty impressive. Personally, I first heard about it from Jonathan Gold, but for whatever reason it took me over 20 years living in LA to visit. I had eaten Ethiopian food once before so I knew a little about what to expect (no silverware). At an Ethiopian restaurant, Injera comes in lieu of your fork. This famously crepe-like bread serves as your utensil whether you are eating the delicious green salad or the beef or chicken tips. Take some friends or family. It’s a great experience that won’t let you down.
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This week, I’m sharing my conversation with Sam Harris from December 2024. We recorded it just a month after the election—long before anyone could have predicted what eight months of Trump back in office would actually look like. Listening back now, it’s fascinating to hear what we thought was coming versus where we are today.
We got into a lot: the case against identity politics, the rise of disinformation, CEOs bending the knee to Trump, why it’s okay to admit when your views change, how deleting Twitter felt like “psychic surgery from God,” and more.
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💍 One story that had both pop culture and sports fans buzzing was Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting engaged. Congratulations to our favorite English teacher and gym teacher!
❤️ In sticking with the wedding theme, congrats to Jamie’s List members Charles Porch and Robert Denning on their upcoming wedding this weekend!
🏑 UNC Field Hockey Opening Game vs. Michigan tomorrow 8/29. You can watch it on Big Ten Plus. Let’s Go Heels!!
🎭 & Juliet at The Ahmanson Theatre: This amazing show featuring the music of songwriter extraordinaire Max Martin runs until 9/7. It’s been nominated for 9 Tony Awards, and features hits from The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, The Weeknd, and more.
🎂 Happy Birthday to Olivia Simon, Rachel Zoe, and Richard Ehrlich
Sichuan Impression & Mizlala with Ashley Sawyer and Jeremy Smith; Tere’s Mexican Grill with Alex Orlovsky and Dominic Buchanan; Le Cheval d’Or with Vincent Grynbaum and Gregg Bywalski; Le Bon Georges with Kelly, Kevin and Kate Love; and Chez Aline solo.
Aaron Michaelson, Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Adam Smith, Alex Tse, Andy Wang, Anthony Jacobson, Ashley Sawyer, Ben Hundreds, Blake Lively, Bobby Kim, Brian McGinn, Chad Colby, Chad Gutstein, Chris Rice, Condé Nast Traveler, David Gelb, David Katzenberg, David Nathanson, Evan Funke, Eater, Eli Meyer, Food & Wine, Goop, Kristina O’Neill, Iman Dakhil, Infatuation, James Beard Award, Jason Spivak, Jerry Greenberg, Jeremy Smith, Jerrold Son, Jessica Alba, Joe Varet, Jon Buscemi, Jon Alagem, Jon Shook, Jordan Okun, James Ponsoldt, Kate Burr, Katie McNeill, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, The LA Times, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lloyd Sacks, Marc Rose, Marc Mezvinsky, Martha Patricof, Matt Haimes, Matt Karatz, Max Chow, Max Shapiro, Max Winkler, Michael Kives, Michelin Guide, Nicole Richie, Neal Moritz, The NY Times, Paul Zucker, Peter Goldwyn, Phil Rosenthal, Phill Ettinger, Rachel Halilej, Riley Patricof, Sawyer Patricof, Shu Chowdhury, Todd Steinman, The Hungry Tourist, The Infatuation, Vinny Dotolo.
Today’s email was brought to you by: Jamie Patricof, Michaela Sullivan and Lauren Malanga
