The Drake Hotel

For a business trip, I tried the Drake Hotel on Queen instead of my usual big chain and was glad I did. It has a trendy feel and lots of character, while still being very clean. The staff were helpful and friendly, and I thought the restaurant was fantastic, with a great atmosphere. There isn’t much right nearby, but downtown is an easy quick cab ride away. A good option if you want a different kind of hotel without giving up cleanliness or amenities.

The renovation looks gorgeous, and I’d consider coming back for happy hour. There were lots of affordable food and drink choices on that menu, too. Monday steak night is $35 for steak frites and a slice of cheesecake, which seems like a good deal, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. The steak tasted fine, though it was room temperature and more medium than the medium rare I wanted. The fries were too thick for my taste, and had a sweet, almost cinnamon-like seasoning. There was no salt on the table. The cherry cheesecake was delicious, and the $10 side Caesar was tasty and a good size.

We found parking across the street for $4 an hour using the Clicknpark app, which was handy. The staff were lovely, especially Ryder, who gave us great service. There’s also a photo booth, a fun detail for a birthday. The renovated space feels warmer and cozier, with an easygoing atmosphere. We had lunch for a friend’s birthday: the burger and fries and the salmon umami bowl were both delicious. The Prosecco was great, too. Save room for the coconut cake, it’s unusual and worth trying. I’d happily come back for dinner and live music, and recommend the place for a casual catch-up.

The $35 steak dinner was such a good deal. The steak was cooked just right, the fries were delicious, and cheesecake made a perfect finish. We also got the half-price bottle of wine, and the recommendation paired beautifully with the meal. Our server, the guy with a beard and glasses, was fantastic, friendly and personable, and really good at his job. The decor was so cute and the atmosphere was great. It was exactly the kind of evening I’d hoped for. I’ll be back!