DRAKE ONE FIFTY

The header of this post is a photo I captured of Gary Baseman‘s exhibition presently showcased at Drake One Fifty entitled; My eyes are bigger than my stomach. I have been a fan of this particular artist for years in fact I’m sure I have blogged something before without crediting or even knowing his name oops sorry. Turns out Gary Baseman is the guy who designed the Cranium Doodles boardgame characters and why his style stands out so much, well I’ll be.

Anyway… awhile ago I had dinner + drinks at DRAKE ONE FIFTY and it was maaaahvelous. Adore that scene. Definitely going back and fangirling hard over it cos I think I looked “on fleek” that night and took hella selfies to show for it. Capital Whatever. Lets go.

I recco you do the same when you visit. It felt like Christmas but was after Christmas. Canada is basically Iceland. Majestic snow vibe for SOOO LONG so keep the flow going with dangling (art) ornaments. Just saying Toronto, I see it and I dig it and capitalize upon thee.

How can you not.

Bravo Gary/Drake 150.

I love the aquamarine chairs. I love that they’re not red, cliche red, although how perfectly sumptuous red would be the aquamarine is just so Drake One Fifty. Named as such because the address is 150 York. Natch. I find it to be the perfect alternative to meatmarket Keg across the street no offense (tons). So much more vibrant eye candy to get off on at Drake One Fifty IMO because art! Curiosities abound I have been drinking the Drake Kool-aid for years.

It can also be a don’t bring sand to the beach kind of spot for the loner barflies out there just saying so many chairs swiveled when I walked in but it was a work dinner so I had to pass ;).

I can romanticise a great foodie experience for weeks. If perfected, the atmosphere is like dining in a painting. Paired with perfect cocktails it’s a gorgeous, deadly concoction to any writer out there. We need to be inspired.

I checked my coat. I tipped. I took two boxes of matches and two complimentary postcards. You can do the same.

I threw a black blazer over my f21 plaid is it a dress? Is it a shirt? thing to combine the ultimate hipster with corporate look. Never underestimate the power of black tights.

I assumed pole-position so I could stare at EHHH-verythaaaang and oh it delivered. That red booth (which I am totes fine with being red now) filled up with many pleasant people to stare and wonder at.

This is my fav drink of the moment and I’m not a rum girl. I’m actually not against any booze except Jager. This is why I find The Rum Diary so boss. Likely the ginger beer and five spice syrup present tbh this concoction is a bona fide vacation in a glass. I always have at least 2 of them per visit and now I want one.

That floating garnish is a star anise Illicium verum is a medium-sized native evergreen tree of northeast Vietnam and southwest China. A spice commonly called star anise, star anise seed, Chinese star anise or badiam that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of the fruit of Illicium velum which are harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams…. love it.

There she is all purty w/o flash. Restau faux-pas flashes be damned.

Oysters hit the spot and the housemade hot sauce blew me away deliciously. Be sure to ask for it.

Steak tartare is killer. Share it or have it as your own. Which is what I did. It was such a dreamy vibe all around. I was in the mood for the soosh which isn’t on menu at Drake One Fifty but tartare suffices. So rich. Comfort. Luxury. You know?

Bathroom’s got a full length to capture the awesome. A photobooth too. Not in the bathroom tho lol.

The other glorious side of Gary’s piece. I want to go back. Escapist for life.

TTYL Toronto!