Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/593532
W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | G O I N G P L A C E S 37 T he trip has been fast and furious from the start. After flying in on ursday evening, I headed to the Second City comedy club, adjacent to Wayne Gretzky's namesake restaurant in Toronto's entertain- ment district. At this iconic cabaret theatre, a big 1974 black-and-white photo of Dan Aykroyd and John Candy welcomes patrons: these Canadian comedy legends honed their chops here before hitting Hollywood. Quaffing a pint of Ontario-brewed Barking Squirrel Lager, I guffawed at a series of skits entitled "We Can Be Heroes." Female comics gyrated to "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke, reminding me of a quirky piece of hockey trivia: Gretzky was house-sitting for Robin's dad, Alan icke, in Los Angeles (and babysit- ting the 11-year-old future singer) on the day Fans sing the national anthem before a hockey game at Air Canada Centre, home to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club. in 1988 when he was traded to the Kings. I would have loved to stay for the post- show improv set, but it was time to sample e Great One's gourmet fare. A hallway to the restaurant contains glass cases with Number 99's memorabilia. I gawked at the red Titan stick with which he recorded five assists in Game Two of the 1987 Canada Cup final against the Soviets – his self-described greatest game ever. The 1980s Gretzky doll, lunchbox and Shreddies box made me smile nostalgically. I was hungry for more. I ordered cheddar and potato perogies fried in duck fat – "Grandma Gretzky's favou- rite" – along with Wayne's Wings in garlic Parmesan butter and a Great One Burger with "99" stamped on the bun. I love Gretzky's menu, but I'm unsure how he won nine Hart Trophies on this heart-stopping diet. "That's a lot of food," warned my waiter, whose perfectly coiffed hair made him look like a 20-something version of former NHL referee Kerry Fraser. "at's OK, I have a great metabolism," I shot back. I savoured every rich bite while watching six different NHL games on flat-screen TVs. I slept comfortably at the Eaton Chelsea. Canada's largest hotel boasts as many rooms as Phil Esposito had career points (1,590). is mid-priced, centrally located institution brims with options – from air-hockey tables in the Family Fun Zone to an in-house ticket- ing service for sports and theatre events. B ecause hockey and beer are inseparable, and because Toronto's a handy hub for catching up with friends and family, I met an old running pal for lunch the next day at Bier Markt. I admired the dark wood furnishings, suspended kegs and medieval-style murals in this open space, sipping complimentary German wheat beer samples before choosing a refreshing Unibroue Blanche de Chambly from Quebec. The 450-capacity Esplanade eatery has recently hosted members of the Leafs and Washington Capitals, general manager Rich- ard Beyak told us. Presumably, the pros don't come pre-game. Tasting more than 150 beers from more than 30 countries might throw their slapshots off. My chicken schnitzel was giving 110 per cent, but the dessert pairing of strawberry shortcake with Früli – a Belgian strawberry beer – really elevated the performance. "If you need to get your date in a hockey mood, this is great forechecking," my friend quipped as we headed out. We made a pilgrimage to the Hockey Hall of Fame – offering 5,130 square metres of constantly updated exhibits, this might be Toronto's most compelling attraction. The Stanley's Game Seven 3D movie captures the childlike enthusiasm and body-crunching intensity of Canadian recreational hockey players. Its pounding soundtrack comple- ments well-chosen allusions to the classic Gretzky-Mario Lemieux rivalry. There's something here for every Cana- dian. I squinted curiously at a leather belly pad worn by Saskatchewan-born goalie legend Terry Sawchuk and spotted a gold Tissot watch given to Winnipeg-born Jona- than Toews after he entered the International Niagara Falls in the winter is a must-see. Take a day trip from TO to witness this breathtaking sight. Call CAA Travel to book: 204-262-6000 or 1-800-222-4357.