A long awaited visit to ’s Hockey Hall of Fame the Hockey Hall of Fame at Yonge and Front Streets; and a short walk from the amazing Eaton Centre Travel Spotlight (www.torontoeatoncentre.com). MiKE Cohen The hotel features 177 extraordi- nary guest suites. For families, the For some reason or another junior two bedroom suites feature while visiting Toronto (www.see- spacious living room/work areas torontonow.com) I never visited the separated from the two bedroom Hockey Hall of Fame (www.hhof.com). On my most areas by sets of double French recent trip I finally rectified that grave error. glass doors with vertical blinds. Montreal fans will enjoy experiencing a replica of There is a fully equipped kitch- the Canadiens dressing room at the old Forum, com- enette with a microwave, fridge, plete with sweaters of such greats as and coffeemaker and cutlery. We got . There are small and large TV monitors in one of the recently refurbished various sections and the Habs room you can hear the second floor rooms. You can slip golden voice of our very own narrating a into a plush bathrobe, use the iron film about dynasties. There is also plenty and ironing board and enjoy the of nostalgia about the Winter Olympics. convenience of the laptop size in- Guests can take shots at real-time goalies (I scored room safe. on one of five shots), stop the shots of legends Gretzky All guests get to enjoy a splen- and Messier, call the play-by-play of some of hockey’s did breakfast buffet, free of greatest goals (I chose a Guy Lafleur goal to describe), charge, with an extensive array view hockey flicks like Stanley’s Game Seven, (hock- of items to choose from. There is Hockey Hall of Fame replica of the dressing ey’s first 3D film and 30 minutes of great entertain- also a fitness centre, the two-sto- room ment) in one of two theatres, get up close and personal rey neo-classical indoor pool and with the Stanley Cup and explore the largest collection two whirlpools on the rooftop garden, which provides the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Valet parking is of hockey memorabilia in the world. a panoramic view of Toronto. available next door at the Ritz Carlton. I like to stay downtown when visiting Toronto and There is 24 hour room service, twice-daily maid We started off by sharing an amazing Single Tier for my family nothing beats a junior two bedroom suite service, valet and underground parking, a friendly Seafood Tower featuring a king crab dip, won ton, at The Grand Hotel and Suites (www.grandhotelto- concierge, a restaurant, 10,000 square feet of meeting oysters, clams, mussels and jumbo shrimp while also ronto.com), located at the corner of Jarvis and Dundas. space and a fully equipped business centre. opting for the grilled marinated wild mushrooms. The This is a great area to select as a base for it is in such We enjoyed our first dining experience at The Shore menu includes numerous other sumptuous choices such a dynamic location. It was a mere 10 minute drive to Club (www.theshoreclub.ca) on Wellington Street. A as fried calamari, steamed clams, dungeness crab cake, vibrant restaurant and cocktail apple cider smoked salmon and vanilla-battered prawns. bar offering up lively ambi- There are a of soups and salads. As for the main ance, The Shore Club (which courses, you have a choice between seafood specialties also has an locale) is such as salmon wellington, maple-glazed king salmon, memorable for its atmosphere, smoked Alaskan black cod, herb-dusted sea bass and professional service and out- stuffed rainbow trout and steakhouse favorites like the standing cuisine. Located in New York strip, filet mignon, braised short ribs and the new RBC Dexia Centre, double-cut lamb chops. As for sides and add-ons, there the restaurant is situated in are no less than 21 selections from mashed potatoes and Toronto’s bustling Entertain- steakhouse fries to tempura-battered onion rings, fresh ment District and is just steps asparagus and braised fennel. We all went the steak and away from prominent cultural lobster route, enjoying every morsel of each. Yes, we venues such as Roy Thomson saved just enough room for some of the home-made Hall, David Pecaut Square and desserts: a spectacular Black Forest cake and some key- TIFF Bell Lightbox, making it lime pie. I can’t wait to go back. an ideal pre-performance din- ner destination. It’s also within Mike Cohen’s email address is [email protected] walking distance of the finan- Follow his travels at www.sandboxworld.com/travel Dinner at The Shore Club of Toronto was outstanding cial district, and and on Twitter @mikecohencsl.

Heimish Atmosphere – Attentive & Caring Staff Independent & Assisted Living – Within a Supportive Environment Synagogue & Kosher Kitchen – Full Social Activities Program Make Manoir King David Your Home www.manoirkingdavid.com 5555 Trent, Côte St. Luc., Tel.:(514) 486-1157

24 The Montrealer, February 2014 • theMontrealerOnline.com