Everywhere we’d send Connor Storrie to eat while he films ‘Heated Rivalry’ in Toronto this summer, Canada Reviews

Emmy-nominated actor Connor Storrie was spotted arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport earlier this month, as production ramps up on the highly anticipated adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, where he’s rumoured to be playing Constantin opposite Billie Eilish. He’s expected to return to the city after filming wraps, with the next season of Heated Rivalry also set to shoot here.

As Toronto continues to cement itself as Hollywood North, we’d say it’s our duty — nay, obligation — to show Storrie some classic Canadian hospitality and introduce him to one of the best food scenes anywhere. After digging through interviews, red carpet appearances and the occasional GQ food confessional, we’ve pieced together the clues he’s left behind to build the ultimate Toronto eating itinerary. Here’s exactly where we’d send him — and where you might just spot him while he’s in town.

1. Occhiolino

If Storrie’s looking for more of a sit-down instead, we’d point him toward Occhiolino. Opened in the late fall of 2024, and swept the city ever since. This newer Italian restaurant serves beautifully handmade pasta in Little Italy. The pastificio is located at 499 Bathurst St and is run by Chef Nick Manzone, former personal chef to Drake, Luke Donato.  They live by the philosophy of “Cucina Povera,” which translates to “poor kitchen” or “peasant kitchen.” They steer clear of overly fussy or heavy meals and embrace simplicity and quality. Finish the meal off with infamous Tom’s Dairy Freeze vanilla soft-serve ice cream topped with olive oil and sea salt–reflective of the restaurant itself, it’s chic without being pretentious, exactly like Storrie.

2. Sugo

Sugo proves that you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel.  Storrie, someone with a background in clowning, gymnastics, and French, reads as someone with an appreciation for the classics– and Sugo is just that. Their giant portions, rich sauces, and comforting pasta dishes have earned them a cult following across the city, making this spot an easy recommendation.

3. Contrada 

In Vogue Adria, Storrie tells the world that his star sign is a Pisces, followed by “I actually feel like the older I get, I resonate more with an Aquarius, which is kind of the cusp.”

Traditional Aquarius energy is associated with creativity, independence, and beating to their own drum. That’s exactly why we’d send him to Contrada. As one of the best patios in the city, Contrada, located on College, is an Italian-Canadian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy that brings a fresh approach to Italian cooking. 

With menu stars like Pork Chop Alla Milanese, Lamb Croquettes, and Chicken Liver Agnolotti, you can see the way the Contrada team toes the line of inventive and traditional.

4. Linny’s 

One of Connor Storrie’s best interview moments comes from a conversation with GQ when he was asked what his “weird-hours diner order” is. 

Instead of pancakes, a burger, or a greasy mac and cheese like most of us would get, Storrie says it depends on how strict his diet is and goes on to describe a time when he was finishing a late-night shoot in New York around 1 a.m., and consistently ordering a rib-eye steak and broccoli, then ordering another one to take back to his hotel room so he could eat that one the next day cold. He also mentioned needing to drink as much water as possible to offset the sodium, and we respect his commitment. 

If he’s still on his protein-maxxing kick while filming in Toronto (possibly in preparation for season 2 of Heated Rivalry?), then let’s skip the classic white-tablecloth steakhouse and send him to Linny’s instead. After opening in the fall of 2024 at 176 Ossington Ave, Linny’s has continued to deliver an elevated deli-steakhouse experience to Toronto. 

Despite their endless choices of steak cuts on their menu, we would choose their famous pastrami every time. But for Storrie, this consistently satisfying steak will continue to meet those protein goals and so much more.

5. Fran’s Restaurant 

Unfortunately, Toronto still hasn’t mastered the art of the 1 a.m. steak.

If filming runs late and he’s looking for something after midnight, Fran’s is a Toronto staple. The Toronto institution has multiple locations throughout the city and is open ‘round the clock at its College Street location. 

While they may not serve steak, they do serve a roasted half chicken with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables; a pretty solid high-protein option when most late-night menus lean towards poutine and assorted fried goods.

6. Uh Bar 

Thanks to the Heated Rivalry Crave TikTok page, the world now knows that Connor Storrie’s go-to drink is a vodka soda with lime. While he may follow that up with “boring,” he won’t be saying that after a trip to Uh Bar. 

Located at 1221 Dundas St W, Uh Bar’s online signage still reads “temporarily closed” on its Google page, but it is very much open in real life. This Dundas West cocktail bar is one of the best ways to hide from the masses in this low-key spot on the city’s hottest strip. 

Known for featuring elevated versions of typical drinks, their cocktails are anything but ordinary, and Connor Storrie is in luck because “uh good vodka soda” is featured on their menu, spruced up with Dillon’s vodka, shōchū, kyohu grape, and tie guan yin.

7. Sushi Momo 

On In Your Dreams with Owen Thiele, Storrie opened up about previously following a vegan diet for several years due to the fact that he has many practicing vegan friends. Whether he’s looking to reintroduce these vegan practices in his life or just looking to host some of his vegan friends in the city, Toronto’s plant-based scene is one that’s too good to ignore. 

We’d recommend Sushi Momo located at 1184 Queen St. W. The Montreal-based plant-based Japanese restaurant specializing in entirely vegan sushi.

8. Rustle & Still Cafe 

It’s a cardinal sin to visit Toronto and not partake in the Bahn Mi culture. Rustle & Still Cafe, located at 605 Bloor St West, is a Vietnamese Cafe located in Koreatown offering some of the best Vietnamese coffee and Bahn Mi sandwiches. 

But why this spot specifically? Though not an entirely vegan space, their menu features a gochujang tofu-mushroom bahn mi, making it the perfect spot to grab lunch with a vegan friend.

9. Hawker

Hawker, however, is the heavy hitter. Located at 291 Augusta Ave, Chef Leah Steduto runs a plant-based small-plates, cocktail, and wine bar. It’s hip, art-lined, and features a menu that’s entirely inspired by Southeast Asian influence. 

Hiding away in Kensington Market, this spot gives Storrie and guests the opportunity to check out one of the best neighbourhoods in the city with a beating heart for this city’s culture.

10. Cafe Polonez 

Finally, if the rumours are true that Storrie is playing Constantin, there is only one place we’d insist he visit before cameras stop rolling. 

In Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, Constantin is a soft-spoken, sophisticated simultaneous interpreter from Eastern Europe. He embodies a worldliness that fascinates Esther Greenwood (played by Billie Eilish), in contrast to the conventional American men around her. 

Toronto’s closest culinary equivalent feels like Cafe Polonez. 

The Roncesvalles institution has been serving traditional Polish comfort food since 1981. Plates of handmade pierogi, cabbage rolls and hearty home cooking have attracted everyone from neighbourhood regulars to presidents, prime ministers and visiting dignitaries. 

It’s exactly the kind of timeless place where Storrie can find himself exploring the character over dinner. 

If Connor Storrie needs restaurant recommendations while he’s in Toronto, this would be our  shortlist. And if he somehow manages to squeeze all of them into one filming schedule, we’d say he experienced the city pretty well.