Went to The Drake Hotel restaurant last night with the girlfriend to try their Winterlicious menu. We were really disappointed with the food as both of us had high hopes for this trendy Queen West hangout.
Service was average and the ambiance was below average as we were seated in the "skyyard" which is up top near the rooftop patio. Tables were very close together and very little privacy.
We had the $35 winterlicious dinner and a glass of red wine each. Total was just under $100 plus tip. We both had the vegi hand roll app which was decent. Main course I ordered the half chicken dinner and my GF had the cauliflower truffle risotto. The chicken was actually pretty good (cooked nicely with a tasty gravy) I would give it a 7/10. My GF's risotto dish was terrible and maybe the worst risotto either of us have ever eaten - 1/10. It was like regular white rice in a cream sauce. Very bland and disappointing. The desserts (Banana chocolate cake and burnt caramel custard) were also quite bland. The custard was more of a jello type structure and not at all what I would consider a "custard".
Overall I felt like the value just wasn't there for the money we spent. Also, the winterlicious promo price of $35 doesn't seem to be that big of a discount from their regular menu pricing. Our entrees were priced $19 and $22 on the regular menu so the value of the winterlicious offering is questionable to say the least.
Definitely won't be returning here for dinner as there are so many other places in Toronto where $120 can buy a couple a gourmet dinner.