The Drake www.thedrakehotel.ca/dining 416-531-5042 open Mon-Sun Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner, Sat-Sun Brunch 10am-4pm
Food
The edamame was seasoned with lime juice and green tea salt. Its fragrance was a breeze of flowers warmed by the summer sun, so lovely. The sushi was outstanding, a huge improvement from last year. I had the spicy tuna roll which was simple with only chili, scallions and a splash of spicy mayo, but oh so succulent. The gold rush roll was beautiful with salmon covering avocado and cucumber, finishing creamy and salty on the palette. Fresh ingredients skillfully packed into a small maki roll. I couldn’t resist ordering the kombu heat sashimi. Fanned out butterfish with kombu (edible kelp) and wasabi stem. The sushi had improved so much I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
Drink
They have one of the best cocktail menus in the entire city. Innovative drinks inspired by incredibly intelligent bartenders and wait staff. The menu has great staple items like unique Drake caesars: tequila with cilantro caesar and gin with muddled cucumber caesar. The wine list is small but has a few great local wines. Red and white pitchers of sangria look to be inviting but when they arrive it’s a different story. The fruits are basic bar garnish with a few apple slices thrown in. Normally its good, but this time the lemons were so old and slimy, I could taste it. Instead of being refreshed on a hot summer’s day, I’m weighed down by a thick syrupy sangria.
The Drake is lively and exciting. It has two great patios that have an uplifting feeling; you can’t help but feel delighted. Softly lit in the evening, it is a great first date restaurant.
