Despite the fact that I live basically across the street, I've only eaten at the Drake once before this past weekend. It wasn't bad the first time I suppose I've just found myself there for drinks only since then.
So last Sunday rolls around and my husband suggests we go for brunch, really glad we did. We each started with a Drake Caesar (the classic one) but it had a really great punch of fresh horseradish that I loved. I prefer a celery garnish to the olives served here but overall the cocktail was excellent and the rim was nice and peppery.
I struggled between ordering the Caleb Benny or the Bagel + House Smoked Salmon but went for the bagel in the end. I'm SO glad that I did. This is not your traditional long slices of smoked salmon, it's chopped up finer and has more variance in it's texture. Below the salmon was whipped cream cheese and above was a chow chow topped with alfalfa sprouts. The chow chow had the most wonderful sweet, tangy, pickled flavour to it. It reminded me of a sweet giardiniera. I've been thinking about the dish ever since - I even finished the massive portion.
Husband had the classic benny and also almost finished his. He loved it and really appreciated the 'real' slices of ham. No deli meat here. Also the fresh cheddar biscuit was a welcome subsitute for an english muffin.
Man, I might have to go back this weekend.