Drake Devonshire Inn – Dining in the County

With just 13 rooms, boutique hotel Drake Devonshire Inn in Prince Edward County offers a peaceful respite from the chaos of city life.

And while this rural retreat features a bucolic setting – complete with lakeside views and the sound of gentle waves lapping at hotel’s edge – there’s an array of stimulating art installations and local cultural events, restaurant, bar and event space, to captivate you.

Discover

All-season activities are just one of exciting facets of the Devonshire. Choose between wine tours, ice fishing and deep tissue massage. During the week, there’s “Highchair Hangouts” for parents and their kids, paint parties and open-mic nights (you never know who you might see: Juno award-winning artist Jim Cuddy took the stage this fall, as did Justin Rutledge and Sarah Harmer).

General Manager Karla Brennen says, “We try to find a way to include the community. It’s important.”

Dine

You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to dine here. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, snacks and weekend brunch in one of the many art-filled seating areas.

On the menu? Cozy comfort fare made with seasonal ingredients. Brennen describes the food as, “Classics with a twist. Something a little unexpected.”

Alexandra Feswick (The Drake Hotel) was named Executive Chef of The Drake’s award-winning Prince Edward County outpost on November 7. She will be collaborating with Ted Corrado (Drake Hotel Properties’ Corporate Executive Chef) and Michael Portigal (Chef de Cuisine, Drake Devonshire) to “continue to develop the Devonshire’s acclaimed food program focused on celebrating the local bounty of one of Canada’s most agriculturally rich and beautiful regions.”

Start the day with trendy Avocado Toast ($15), cozy Buttermilk Pancakes ($13) or full-on Breakfast ($17) of two eggs, hash browns, roasted tomatoes, sausage, bacon, baked beans, and toast. In town for the weekend? Stop by for brunch.

Keep lunch on the lighter side with Dill Cured Salmon Niçoise Salad ($20) or Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($15). For something more filling, the Fried Chicken Sammy ($17), Fish & Chips ($23) and Devonshire Burger ($19) ought to do the trick.

Dinner options include housemade Charcuterie ($12/pp), Root Veg Minestrone ($12), and Pig’s Ear Waldorf ($15) to start, with enticing mains of Rabbit Carbonara ($23) and Lamb Schnitzel ($28) to dig into after a busy day of taking in the sights.

Drink

Bartenders across all the Drake properties, including The Drake Hotel, Drake Commissary and Drake One Fifty, work together to create the beloved cocktail list. Resident mixologist Alex Bruce has one on the current list: Pineapple Express ($15) made with Pike Creek Canadian whisky, falernum, almond, lime, pineapple, Angostura, and activated charcoal.

Award-winning mixologist Sandy De Almeida from Queen West’s The Drake Hotel has four cocktails featured right now, including 2.75-ounce walloper Rust & Bone ($16) with cedar-infused bourbon, Benedictine, and Nonino Quintessentia Amaro.

Ideal drink for the cold weather? Seasonal sipper Autumn Punch ($16).

There’s also a host of bottled and draft beer, as well as wines with an emphasis on local labels from the county. The Devonshire even has its own private label red and white wines.

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There’s so much to see and do at Drake Devonshire Inn. (24 Wharf St. in Wellington, Ontario). Lucky for us, it’s open year-round.

Check out our Facebook page for more photos.

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