ARTS & CULTURE
Monday, January 19, 2015 9
Jurisfoodence: In Search of Toronto’s Best Brunch
Food Adventure #8: The Drake
kate henley & karolina wisniewski ›
staff writer & editor-in-chief
The Drake
1150 Queen St. West
K ate: As I’m sure you all know, in September Vogue
named Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood
the second hippest in the world. Without questioning how the publication came to this conclusion, we
would be remiss if we did not hit up The Drake for
our next brunch (mis)adventure, as it is arguably the
hippest boutique hotel / performance venue / restaurant / store in the second hippest neighbourhood
in the world.
K arolina: I don’t know how to express my ambivalence regarding WQW in anything other than the
most clichéd statements. Sensitive to the fact that
many of my observations in these columns seem to
transmute into a rant about hipster culture, I’ll spare
any in-depth discussion of my feelings regarding the
whole matter. Suffice it to say that, whatever their
shortcomings, WQW generally, and the Drake specifically, are lynchpins in the Toronto brunch scene.
Brunch Hours
The Drake serves brunch 9am-4pm on Saturday and
Sunday; it also does a breakfast from 7:30am-9am
on weekdays.
Wait Time/Service
K at e: Though we thought we would regret it
instantly, we decided to meet at noon on a Saturday,
when we assumed that the Drake would be at its
busiest. Shockingly, my brunch companion and I
were seated almost immediately, despite the fact
that Karolina and her companion weren’t there yet.
I was pleasantly surprised by the level of service we
received: though it was, at best, slightly above average, I was expecting the same bored indifference I
had received at previous hipster venues, like Aunties
and Uncles. Our server was, if anything, almost too
nice? She was very into the fact that we write a food
review, and seemed to think it was way more legit
than it actually is.
K arolina: Our server was very nice in an obligatory sort of way. But she did her job politely and efficiently, so I suppose we shouldn’t be too picky.
Atmosphere
K ate: We were seated in the café side, right next to
the window. I was very excited about this because I
live in a basement apartment so warm sun shining
down on me is a rare event. However, throughout
our meal I grew exceedingly hot and uncomfortable. Ironically, the only other time I’ve eaten at The
Drake was for dinner; we were seated in the main
dining room and there was such a strong draft that
I spent the meal freezing my ass off. So I guess my
complaint is that they need to work on temperature
control… The décor in the main dining room is definitely more appealing, but I actually like the café
better for brunch – way more relaxing, and I really
ê Without causing food poisoning, the Cinnamon French Toast and Smoked Salmon Benny earned high praises.
like the bike frame-chandelier thing they have going
on.
wasn’t able to make it back for refills very often, but
she didn’t need to – we all had more than we needed.
K arolina: I think the Drake Café offers a significant
departure from the quintessential Drake experience.
It was cramped in a cozy sort of way, and felt homey.
It has its own atmosphere and ambiance, which are,
I think, more casual and easy-going than the Drake
proper.
LLBO licensed
Coffee
K ate: Such good coffee! In big cups!
K arolina: The coffee was indeed really good, and I
also appreciate the larger cups they had. The server
K ate: There was alcohol, but once again we didn’t
order any…A mimosa was $9 and a Caesar was $12.
I’ve had some of their signature cocktails (like the
Basil Smash) before, and because the price point is
the same, would definitely recommend trying one of
them if you’re going to splurge.
K arolina: I’m so frustrated by drink prices. How
can a Caesar cost as much as a meal? When did this
» see jurisfoodence, page 15