The Toronto International Film Festival has the city playing host to a bunch Hollywood hotshots, and there’s a buzz all over town about who’s eating (and drinking and partying) where.

In all it’s rich chi-chi glory, Yorkville is the centre of TIFF hobnobbing. It’s where TV chef Mark McEwan chose to launch the highly-anticipated One (116 Yorkville Avenue) on the ground floor of the Hazelton Hotel. Last year’s TIFF debut hotspot was Kultura (169 King Street East); One is definitely the place to be in 2007. With a luxurious patio complete with leather couches, pristine shrubbery and elegant black umbrellas, this hot ticket is serving up $14 cocktails (make sure you nurse that one) and shared dishes (including a very expensive and very gourmet burger) that will be served family style (aka self-serve).

Battled but not beaten, and ready for another round of TIFF, Sassafraz (100 Cumberland Street) reopened just in time for the festival. [Editor's note: Sassafraz owners announced on September 5th that despite plans to do so, the restaurant would not be ready to open in time for the festival.] After a fire destroyed the charming yellow house last December, the restaurant owners expanded the kitchen and added a 20-foot waterfall. The bistro menu (never the main attraction of the place) and $12 cocktails are assured mainstays of the celebrity-approved spot.

Other food destinations in and around Yorkville that fill up fast during the fest include Flow (133 Yorkville Avenue), Bistro 990 (990 Bay Street) and the uber-trendy Lobby (192 Bloor Street West). But for celeb-watchers who really want to track down someone famous without blowing the budget, stars are (apparently) known to conglomerate around Summer’s Ice Cream (101 Yorkville Avenue), which offers up a variety of frozen treats in its tiny downstairs shop.

The ever-chic Drake Hotel (1150 Queen Street West) is being touted as the new “it” night destination for this year’s festival. Hours have been extended to 4 am to accommodate party-happy A-listers and their adoring fans, while Chef Anthony Rose’s “nouveau comfort card” and the “alterna-nightlife” atmosphere (as described by NOW food critic Steven Davey) is sure to please.

Down at King and Yonge, the Rosewater Supper Club (19 Toronto Street) is extending its liquor license for those who want to eat, drink and dance the night away. Not a neighbourhood to be ignored, Little Italy also has some star power. Several prominent stars were seen dining at modern Indian restaurant Xacutti (503 College Street) two weeks ago according to the National Post’s Shinan Govani, and ever the Hollywood actor’s stalwart, Coco Lezzone (602 College Street) should be able to add some photos to the celebrity gallery on its website.

One week remains before TIFF comes to a close - too much time for some, not enough for others - but the excitement in the air is undeniable and it’s nice to see Toronto restaurants attracting crowds, media attention and photo ops. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.