Introducing: The Drake Devonshire, the Toronto hotel’s cozy (but very cool) lakeside spin-off
(Image: Jackie Pal)
Name: The Drake Devonshire Inn
Contact Info: 24 Wharf St., 613-399-1851, drakedevonshire.ca , @thedrakehotel
Neighbourhood: Wellington, Prince Edward County
Owner: Jeff Stober
Chef: Matt DeMille, formerly the chef de cuisine at Enoteca Sociale
The Food: Two years ago, former Enoteca Sociale chef Matt DeMille packed his bags and moved to Prince Edward County to reconnect with his roots. Soon afterwards, Drake Hotel owner Jeff Stober snatched up a lakeside property in Wellington, PEC and recruited DeMille to run the kitchen at the new countryside retreat. The hotel’s five menus focus on simple, crowd-pleasing dishes, like hearty sandwiches, fresh pastas and fish and meat sourced from local farms—the Drake’s upscale comfort food with an extra rustic touch. Brunch options include a breakfast burger, buttermilk pancakes and chili-maple glazed fried chicken with pecan waffles.
The Drinks: The wine list boasts reds and whites from some of the top vineyards across Prince Edward County, including a cabernet-merlot blend from Wellington vineyard Rosehall Run. Cocktails are flavoured with woodsy additions, like cedar-infused bourbon and maple syrup.
The Place: Situated on a strip of lakefront property two hours outside Toronto, the countryside retreat is both contemporary and extremely comfortable. Like the original Drake Hotel, the centuries-old building (formerly a foundry) is brash and colourful, the walls plastered with quirky designs and kaleidoscopic murals. here, they’re juxtaposed against wood-beamed ceilings, roaring fireplaces and picture-perfect pastoral scenery. The property has 11 bedrooms and 2 suites, with prices starting at $249.
293710 Formerly <b>The Devonshire Inn, Jeff Stober</b> purchased the historic property for $1.3 million in 2012. It took a little over two years to turn the former foundry into a luxury lakeside retreat. (Image: Jackie Pal) Introducing: The Drake Devonshire https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-01/ drake-devonshire-01 0 0
(Image: Jackie Pal)
293719 This wall-climbing sculpture in the lobby was designed by American artist <b>Kirsten Hassenfeld.</b> https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-10.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-10/ drake-devonshire-10 0 0
293711 The Devonshire’s interiors were designed by <b>John Tong</b> of Toronto firm <b>+tongtong,</b> which also oversaw the design of the original Drake. <br />The Glassbox Room has a ping-pong table, lounging chairs and a flat screen TV. The room can be rented out for weddings and other special occasions. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-02/ drake-devonshire-02 0 0
293712 The Pavilion has soaring wood-beamed ceilings and a graffiti mural designed by Brooklyn-based art collaboration <b>FAILE.</b> https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-03/ drake-devonshire-03 0 0
293713 The property has 11 bedrooms and 2 suites over three floors. The 250-square-foot Creekside room (pictured) has views of Lane Creek, which traverses the property ($299). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-04/ drake-devonshire-04 0 0
293714 Several rooms have balconies overlooking the grounds. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-05/ drake-devonshire-05 0 0
293715 Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here, toasted sourdough is topped with sautéed mushrooms and pickled eggplant ($12). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-06/ drake-devonshire-06 0 0
293716 The Drake Breakfast includes two fried eggs, hash browns, roasted tomatoes, bacon, sausage and baked beans with toast ($12). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-07-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-07/ drake-devonshire-07 0 0
293717 Buttermilk pancakes are topped with macerated berries, maple syrup, butter and a dollop of vanilla Chantilly ($12). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-08-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-08/ drake-devonshire-08 0 0
293718 Fried chicken and pecan waffles with apple compote and chili maple glaze ($15). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-09/ drake-devonshire-09 0 0
293720 There are several places to sit outside and take in the scenery. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-11/ drake-devonshire-11 0 0
293724 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-15-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-15/ drake-devonshire-15 0 0
293722 Cocktails blend unconventional ingredients like matcha powder and basil black peppercorns ($12) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-13.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-13/ drake-devonshire-13 0 0
293725 At 7:30 p.m., the dining room offers a panoramic sunset view. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-16-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-16/ drake-devonshire-16 0 0
293726 Seafood chowder combines shrimp, scallops, crab, mussels and daily fish. It’s served with crab legs and a house made biscuit ($24). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-17-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-17/ drake-devonshire-17 0 0
293727 Served on a buttery hoagie, the lobster roll is stuffed with butter-poached Atlantic lobster and served with slaw and hickory sticks ($20). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-18-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-18/ drake-devonshire-18 0 0
293728 The Devonshire Burger is a six-ounce beef patty with shredded cheddar, crispy bacon and Russian dressing ($18). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-19-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-19/ drake-devonshire-19 0 0
293729 The appropriately named Elvis Presley is a chocolate cake layered with peanut butter and banana frosting, and finished with bacon brittle ($8). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-20-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-20.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-20/ drake-devonshire-20 0 0
293730 At nighttime, guests can gather around a bonfire just feet from the water. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-21-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-21.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-21/ drake-devonshire-21 0 0
293731 The Glassbox Room’s name makes lots of sense at night. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-22-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-22.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-22/ drake-devonshire-22 0 0
293732 Chef <b>Matt Demille</b> (left) and sous chef <b>Paul Tobias</b> https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-23-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/drake-devonshire-23.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-drake-devonshire-hotel/slide/drake-devonshire-23/ drake-devonshire-23 0 0
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