Apple Sep 27,2006

We were at the drake last night. The server was amazing. very attentive but not too much so. We had other dinner plans but had several martinis and the oysters & caviar. Delicious. One of the guys who worked there said they brought in a chef from NYC and the menu was new. We took a quick look at it - looks pretty good. we'll probably check it out. But I don't think you can beat the Drake in terms of atmosphere and drinks.

AmandaEd Aug 28,2006

The chef is a Canadian who worked in NYC and took the post at the Drake with his wife.

Had late lunch on the patio at the Drake last week. Fairly disappointing. Should have stuck to just drinks.

djeddiej Aug 11,2006

Service at the Drake is excellent. A steward spilled a bottle of water and broke a glass on our table...three stewards came immediately out, replaced the entire table by removing the plates, glasses, and table cloth, even the appetizers were fully replaced.

Food (main dishes) was only okay though, so basically go for drinks and good service.

pescatarian Jun 17,2006

I agree with the preview comments generally. The Drake is not the place to go for food. in general, for atmosphere, fun and drinks.
I was there in the summer (not sure if it was after the new chef arrived) and I was not overly impressed with the food. If you are going to eat, stick to the sushi and oysters, etc. Stay away from the fish tacos - not a good representation

Anonymous Jul 18,2005

Too crowded! Too expensive for what you get ($24 for a half chicken dinner - the chicken may have been anorexic)! Won't be back unless someone else is paying and REALLY wants to be there. What's up with the cigarette girl??!!

Anonymous May 02,2005

Some of the people below must have gone to a different Drake Restaurant to the one I went to Saturday. Service was very attentive, without being overbearing, ambience was great, and the food was excellent. Definitely a place to take visitors from out of town as an example of a fine Toronto restaurant.

Anonymous Oct 10,2004

Never been to the dining room but brunch in the cafe was nothing special. While I enjoyed my meal, the choices on the brunch menu are quite limited and rather ordinary. The service was terrible, waiter brought my coffee but totally forgot about my spouse's juice. Food arrived and that was the last we saw of our waiter. It was not that busy and yet I was never offered a coffee refill, our finished plates remained on our table until we finally got his attention to give us our bill. Will not be returning to The Drake for brunch.

Anonymous Aug 22,2004

Never ate there, but went to the bar and patio. Had to wait an hour to be let up to the patio (and by the time we were let up, I was ready to leave). Ice priness hostess was cold and pretentious, even though we 'looked' the part. The downstairs bar was small and cramped. We arrived too late to find seats. I had to check out what all the hype was about, but will not go back again. I'd rather endure the snobbiness of Lobby (where the staff are at least friendly) to being treated like a 2nd class citizen!!

Anonymous Jun 08,2004

The Drake is a very cool place to hand out with your friends. The patrons are all hip and friendly. Unlike other places in Toronto, The Drake is far from pretentious, which is a pleasant change.

Anonymous May 17,2004

If vibe, aura and attention to detail are your thing, the Drake should not be missed. From the beautifully elaborate local art displayed to the simple but absolutely delicious menu, the Drake has become one of my favorate new spots in all of Toronto. Sure, they will go through some growing pains with staff culture, seating and reservations, but the ingredients for an incredible experience are all there. The hostess was very helpful and accomodating despite a more than full house, the food spectacular, especially the apps and dessert, drinks were expertly mixed and delivered at the bar and the energy was high, yet subtle and cool. A few tweeks and we will all be waiting weeks for a reservation.