Kathy A.Macdonald: Last News

Kathy A. McDonald Toronto’s multicultural dining scene is back in force. “You can have anything you want, from anywhere in the world, by a very talented chef, any night of the week,” says executive chef Kyle Rindinella of King St.

Kathy A. McDonald Finally, Hollywood’s red-carpet drought is over and the business of awards season socializing is back. In anticipation, venues in Los Angeles and New York City are primed for entertainment industry celebrations from post-premiere blow-outs to intimate tastemaker dinners.

Kathy A. McDonald Once bohemian and artsy, the leafy bayside enclave of Miami’s Coconut Grove has gone decidedly upscale. In 2022, the suburb was home to Miami’s priciest residential real estate transaction when entrepreneur and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin paid $106 million for two mansions on a combined lot with expansive bayfront frontage and unobstructed views. Jill Hertzberg of the Jills Zeder Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, who represented Griffin, describes the 4-acre estate as akin to a Picasso and “priceless.”  The pandemic accelerated the Grove’s popularity, attracting transplants from New York, Chicago (such as Griffin) and California due to its proximity to all things great about Miami — including well-regarded private schools, a relatively quick drive to downtown, sophisticated dining, bayside parks and the revitalized Dinner Key pleasure boat marina. According to One Sotheby’s Intl. Realty’s February Florida East Coast Market Report, median single-family-home prices in Coconut Grove were up 43.5% year-over-year. 

Kathy A. McDonald Celebrities and industry pros are back in full force for TIFF.  Toronto restaurateurs, hoteliers and event planners are thrilled they are back. TIFF’s CEO Cameron Bailey points to the fest’s economic boost for Toronto and the country as well.  Toronto’s re-energized hospitality sector includes a slew of long-planned, major hotel openings now come to realization from the W Hotel in Yorkville to Canada’s first Ace Hotel. These new and updated spots for refined cocktails, memorable meals, restful staysand post-screening celebrations are where TIFF attendees and Toronto visitors can reliably chill out and spot A-listers.

Kathy A. McDonald Toronto’s lively food and drink scene expands with five new restaurants:       Casa Maderaat the 1 Hotel  Chef Olivier Le Calvez’s menu owes as much to the Mediterranean as to Mexico City. Cocktails can be a show: Smoke, fire, fog and other tableside flourishes make for extraordinary drinks. Oysters Cascara are the favored briny starter, or splurge on the showy seafood tower.  Where: 550 Wellington St. W Web: thecasamadera.com

Kathy A. McDonald Think of Massachusetts as Hollywood Northeast.

Kathy A. McDonald There’s an unprecedented rush for South Florida residential real estate.

Kathy A. McDonald There’s an outcome everyone involved with awards season awaits: it’s over and now it’s time to relax. From south to north, here are five pampering California spots where rest and relaxation is integral to a visit.Exclusive Retreat: Rancho Valencia Resort & SpaThere’s much to recommend at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in North San Diego County’s Rancho Santa Fe: the quiet, tree-lined canyon location, the 49 elegant, hacienda-style casitas with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, the top-notch spa and outdoor hydrotherapy circuit, expertly maintained hard and clay tennis courts and the clubby Pony Room, serving California cuisine highlighting local ingredients.

Kathy A. McDonald The pandemic rocked downtown Los Angeles’ luxury residential real estate market. Because office towers were vacant and nightlife shut down, the allure of urban core living faded significantly.

Kathy A. McDonald One of California’s leading film festivals returns with a full slate of live screenings, industry panels and starry tributes, offering movie lovers a ray of sunshine in the gloom of COVID. The Santa Barbara Intl.

Kathy A. McDonald It’s hard out there for homebuyers.

Kathy A. McDonald Condos are back in a big way in Los Angeles.

Kathy A. McDonald Broadway is back and so is New York’s residential real estate market.

Kathy A. McDonald Fully booked production facilities are one bright spot in New York City’s commercial real estate landscape.“Speaking as a New Yorker, the pandemic proved the importance of this industry to the economic diversity of New York,” says Hal Rosenbluth, CEO of Kaufman Astoria Studios.The Kaufman Astoria facilities and all available borough full-service soundstages are mostly filled with at least 34 projects filming as of August.

Kathy A. McDonald TIFF and Toronto are back in person for the 46th edition.

Kathy A. McDonald When it comes to travelling in style to location shoots or even a getaway after a shoot, the current demand is for private everything.

Kathy A. McDonald Transforming a hotel or resort into a production-friendly and production-ready facility requires a major shift in dynamics.

Kathy A. McDonald The 45th edition of the Toronto Intl.

Kathy A. McDonald Uncertainty is the new reality for productions on location: what was once a no-brainer (shoot in film-friendly locations with incentives) is now a complex puzzle to be solved.