Cafe at the Drake

Perhaps I just caught them at a bad time. It took about 30 minutes to get my food this morning. So you might want to order early if you’re in a hurry. Also, $ 5 for a small glass of apple juice? That was like adding insult to injury. I will say that the food was good, however, once it arrived.

I posted a fuller review on the Hotel’s main page, but figured I reiterate the basics of the restaurant here: great food and service, even if pricey.

Wish I could give it more stars, but the fact that the sandwich I was served didn’t match what was listed on the menu and worse yet, the manager has yet to acknowledge my experience, I can’t recommend this place. I was very excited to meet my friends there for a ladies lunch two days ago. The remodel is well done and the place just reeks elegance. I ordered a pesto chicken BLT ($ 13). The first ingredient listed is peppered bacon (BLT — right?). But when I took a bite, I was greeted instead by a roasted red pepper. As luck would have it, I cannot eat peppers because they disagree with my system. So even though I took them off, I still was in misery when I went to bed that night. I didn’t want to make a fuss in front of the other gals, but the sandwich was no where as good as described on the menu and was served with fries, which is also not mentioned on the menu. How about a few other choices for a side? I reached out to the manager via email, but have yet to be acknowledged (and yes, it’s a good email since she had sent me the menu in advance — it’s not on their website). Good service, okay food, lots of $$. I’ll take a pass next time…

We dined in the Polo Lounge, in May & July ’15. Also Jan & Feb ’16. Our service came from the Café restaurant across the lobby. Really wish we could use 4.5 stars.
Their Bookbinder’s and other soups are excellent starters. The filet skewers appetizer was magnificent. The scallops were very well prepared and dressed with a nice sauce of a sweetened oil, with what appeared to be grated bacon chips. Both meals were nicely presented. The menu was revamped and upgraded by July, when we had a great Asian Turkey Burger and the Cowboy Ribeye, which was top-​notch. Fries and mashed potatoes were excellent complements to the meal. Servings are very large. For the «Cowboy» or other steaks, pair them with Brassfield Eruption, a winning red wine with high aroma and subtle taste. [Update: I’ve had this wine again a few times and it never has had the same great aroma as on this visit, and I don’t know why. It’s just OK.]
Service is personable and attentive. In July the lounge service seemed a bit iffy at first, perhaps new or not enough help, but they made up for minor issues with very helpful services and personal attention through the evening.
The entire facility is wonderfully appointed, from the canopied entrance and throughout.
Access from I-​294 is very good, to Cermak west, & take Windsor south to the hotel. It might help to have more lighting at the York Road entrance, which is accessible only northbound. They might consider expanding the website, including menus. They certainly have a lot to brag about!
Revisit Jan ’16: Bookbinders soup and turkey burger still top notch. The new scallop entrée was 4 med size scallops with a veggie mix of kidney beans, chopped veggies, accented with an interesting splash of sweet brown sauce, not unlike BBQ sauce. The green herbs though were a bit chewy and the veggies not all that interesting. Give it only a 3-​star. Staff is polished and attentive. The atmosphere is great.
We also recently enjoyed their Sunday morning brunch, which is a real class act. Magnificent; a total «5 star plus».
Other great dishes are the lamb chops (5*) and the special sirloin sliders (4*). Also, the calamari (5*) are tender, melt-​in-​your-​mouth delicious!

Whoever said you can’t go home again has never been to the Drake. This place is a recurring memory of mine from childhood and into young adulthood. And then the Army for me and at some confluence of evil the Drake reached the vanishing point.
It served as a hotel for a religious group. The hotel was ill served. Then frozen pipes and the death rattle was a given. But fate cheated death and Mr. Jim Nagel together with devoted wife Tely of Oak Brook decided to spend retirement restoring the Drake. Not with a bunch of contractors and artisans, but by themselves.
Imagine being the Pharaoh building the pyramids only you have no slaves. Instead you head to Pyramid Depot and build them yourself. That’s the drake.
On arrival the GM Jessie greeted us warmly and escorted us from the lobby to the café to our table. Once seated our waiter Oscar was charming, funny, snd a rogue. I jokingly ordered Frosted Flakes for dinner. Oscar solemnly brought me Frosted Flakes. It was a priceless moment.
For dinner I had Pork Shoulder. Mom had chicken Breast which was juicy. For dessert see the pic.
If you want to eat in Oak Brook there are many excellent high end eateries at the tres elegant oakbrook centre. If you want to Dine, come to the Drake.