When thinking about Toronto's top summer patio spots, The Drake's Sky Yard is top of mind. It's a Toronto favourite, not just because it's in prime Queen West West neighbourhood, or because the patio is simultaneously sun-drenched and shaded, but because each season the menu is served up anew. This summer's menu is especially exciting because it's Corporate Executive Chef Ted Corrado's (fancy title, huh?) first menu at The Drake. After sampling a number of the menu items, I can assure you that you are in for a tempting treat with Southern flare.
The Southern-flare feel is entirely my own interpretation of the menu. While sampling, I pictured myself eating the fried chicken (doesn't get more Southern than that) and jalapeno corn bread, while washing it down with a big, condensation drenched, glass of the Lavender Lemonade on a big white painted porch in Louisiana. I've never been to Louisiana, but this is the kind of experience that I would hope for and I have The Drake's new summer menu to thank for the culinary escapism.
Tipple
It's easy to sweat off this hot hot summer on The Drake patio with drinks like the Guava Margarita (pictured above left) and the Gin Gin Mule. For a refreshing thirst quencher, try the {spiked} lemonades such as Rum + Raspberry Lemonade and the Lavender Lemonade (both pictured above right). Check out the Drake's summer cocktail list here.
Nosh
Shot-glass size portions of the Green Gazpacho (pictured above left) - a refreshing, yet creamy, combination of green tomatoes, cucumber, avocado and cilantro topped with a lumb of succulent dungeness crab meat - were just enough to open my mind to savory summer soups.
Spoonfuls of the Burrata Salad (pictured above right) had many event guests reaching for seconds. The lightly sweet flavor of the watermelon paired with the subtle tomato taste combined easily in a few bites with the fresh Ontario burrata.
The fried chicken samples (pictured above left) had guests ordering full buckets of chicken after the event was over. The fried chicken pieces have a well-seasoned, crunchy exterior that leaves you with a little kick of heat on the back of the tongue after a few bites.
Any sweet tooth would be more than satisfied after tasting this mmm-inducing Flourless Chocolate Cake with salted caramel (pictured above right). It served up a number of winning savoury combinations; salty and sweet, soft and crunchy with caramel popcorn thrown on top. It's worth the gluten.
Other notable menu items to try: the charred Octopus and the 3 Day Short Rib. Want to see more featured items on the menu? Check out The Drake's blog here.
Of course, how can you attend an event at The Drake without talking about the much anticipated opening of the Drake 150 - the restaurant's new Queen-West meets Bay York Street haunt set to open late this summer. Chef Ted Corrado is clearly excited about the new venture and the opportunity to provide input into the restaurant's concept in addition to the menu. He says it's a place where diners will see a little more of the "fussy stuff", that he takes with him from his experience at C5, mixed with the common threads from the dining experience at The Drake. To him, it will be a Canadian brasserie that encompasses this perfect blend of fuss and familiar, and where people can easily eat once or twice a week. Can't wait to try it out!
Check out The Drake's summer menu online, or better yet, go there and taste it for yourself!
The Drake is located at 1150 Queen St West Toronto.
Salut!
