The Drake Eatery: Pandora

That's of a concern for me than saying how big a glass is. At least people know what they're getting. They might put stronger beers in smaller glasses too.

 

Those signs look like they're government issued...

 

Methinks the "Liquor Control and Licensing Branch" text and the Province of BC logo are tip-offs.

Methinks the "Liquor Control and Licensing Branch" text and the Province of BC logo are tip-offs.

 

Ya, they are produced by the government, but I've inquired now with the owners of 3 other bars.  There is no requirement to post these.

I went with my girlfriend last night.  I'd give it a 6/10.  My notes on the place. 

 

PROS

 

- Great branding. Very impressive looking logo work all around the place. 

- Nice decor.  I can see the couches being a nice place for a date/group gathering. 

- Good location.  I live in chinatown, so it's nice to have another option. 

- Good beer selection.  Seems like whoever is picking got a nice range of solid/rare.

 

CONS

 

- Menu was disappointing.  Nothing really appealing on there if you are looking to have dinner instead of just a snack.  I think they could put fewer better things on the menu and it would help them out.  As it stands, I wasn't totally sure what the portion sizes would be, or what was junkfood/healthy due to the confusing menu layout. We ordered the lentil sliders and a green salad. Salad was wayyyy overdressed and lentil sliders were a falling apart mess (crumbs were all over me and the table). I have no interest in trying anything else there. 

- Flies everywhere. I know they are probably still trying to work out their systems as far a composting/ sealing garbages but there were fruit flies landing on our food as we ate which was pretty unappetizing. 

- Would have liked to have a 20oz pint.  Price was pretty steep for 16oz/13oz.

- Ordering arrangement was annoying.  I think most places in town do it right having a limited table service with roaming servers, but then also having a walk up system. Had to wait in a 6 person line to pay when I wanted to leave. 

- Washrooms were weird.  I'd recommend that they get some vacant/occupied locks on the doors as the only way to tell if you can use a washroom is occupied is to yank on the handle. Seems like they were space limited when building the washrooms, but the whole thing felt a little awkward/cramped. 

- Staff seemed friendly but frazzled.  I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this one as I know they just opened. 

- Would be really nice to see a website/online menu.  I'm amazed when restaurants don't get this kind of thing sorted out for day one. 

 

In conclusion,  everything had a bit of a rushed/half-baked vibe to it, and I think with a little more focus on the details they could be a very solid downtown option.  As it stands right now, nothing is making me feel compelled to go again. 

Welcome to VV, subrock.

I'm at Moxies right now.  I can see 14 women.   2 have wine, zero have beer, and the other 12 have spirit drinks.

I'm at Moxies right now.  I can see 14 women.   2 have wine, zero have beer, and the other 12 have spirit drinks.

I just came from the Drake. It was full. There were plenty of women. I'm guessing they were not the same clique that are at Moxies. It is a craft beer niche setup, not a college kids drinking shots and looking to hook up setup, and my guess is it will do fine. There is plenty of room in the local marketplace for something that is a bit different.

I just came from the Drake. It was full. There were plenty of women. I'm guessing they were not the same clique that are at Moxies. It is a craft beer niche setup, not a college kids drinking shots and looking to hook up setup, and my guess is it will do fine. There is plenty of room in the local marketplace for something that is a bit different.

 

It'll wear off, every new place has a good start.  Let's see how it is doing in February.

 

Why would you intentionally limit your booze selection?  There are 250+ restaurants and bars in town, this is the only one with a liquor license that does not offer spirits.  That's just freakin' odd.  It's like having a restaurant that does not have salt or ketchup.  Why would you do that?

It sounds like they missed on food as well if Subrock's assessment is correct.

 

If you are going to call yourself an "Eatery" best have lots of food selections.

 

- Washrooms were weird.  I'd recommend that they get some vacant/occupied locks on the doors as the only way to tell if you can use a washroom is occupied is to yank on the handle. Seems like they were space limited when building the washrooms, but the whole thing felt a little awkward/cramped. 

 

Ya, I have no issues with unisex washrooms for one at a time.  Makes lots of sense to me.  But ya, you have to have away of showing hey are occupied.

It'll wear off, every new place has a good start.  Let's see how it is doing in February.

 

Why would you intentionally limit your booze selection?  There are 250+ restaurants and bars in town, this is the only one with a liquor license that does not offer spirits.  That's just freakin' odd.  It's like having a restaurant that does not have salt or ketchup.  Why would you do that?

There are lots of restaurants in town with NO liquor at all. And while most of the people you saw tonight were probably not eating Greek food, there is still room in town for a Greek restaurant. Most people eat meat but vegetarian restaurants exist. I don't understand what is so perplexing about someone choosing to have a niche market and not doing the same thing as everyone else.

 

But you're right about one thing. A full house on a Friday evening in the first couple of weeks of being open is definitely not a guarantee of long-term success.

 

I actually have liked all the food items I had here. The menu seems to have been selected based on small bites that go good with beer. It is like a wine and nibbles place, only with craft beer. Seems perfectly reasonable to me, but we'll have to see if there are enough other folks who would enjoy that kind of place.

There are lots of restaurants in town with NO liquor at all. And while most of the people you saw tonight were probably not eating Greek food, there is still room in town for a Greek restaurant. Most people eat meat but vegetarian restaurants exist. I don't understand what is so perplexing about someone choosing to have a niche market and not doing the same thing as everyone else.

 

 

I'm not so sure there are many restaurants that open until midnight that have no liquor.  Other than fast-food places or the odd coffee shop.

I don't think independent restaurants (not including takeout eateries with higher margins and/or lower operating costs), could even pay the bills without liquor. For most restaurants the meal barely breaks even and liquor represents the majority of profit. And that profit is eroding as drinking and driving rules get tougher. The HST made things even worse when it was in effect.

Now that I've actually been, this place seems more like a beer bar or tasting room. The way I imagine a wine bar is you go to get a 1947 vintage blahblahblah... & I think this is a similar idea. You don't go to a place like that to get a caesar. That might also explain why they don't do 20oz pints, & that everything about the place (esp the food menu) is smaller than it would be at a pub, because it's not a pub. I guess the glasses are smaller so you can get maybe 2 or 3 different beers without getting buzzed? Just one person's impression. Whether it works out or not time will tell but when I consider this is a new sort of animal for Victoria, rather than a regular bar or pub, the criticisms are a bit unfair imho.

Edited by amor de cosmos, 17 August 2014 - 08:46 PM.

I just came from the Drake. It was full. There were plenty of women. I'm guessing they were not the same clique that are at Moxies. It is a craft beer niche setup, not a college kids drinking shots and looking to hook up setup, and my guess is it will do fine. There is plenty of room in the local marketplace for something that is a bit different.

Agreed 100%.  Have been to the Drake a few times and there are always women drinking beer, funny that isn't it? The fact that the Drake has no liquor just does not seem like a big deal, they have 26 taps which is what you would be going there for. If it bothers you that they have no booze then go to Moxies.

 

Apparently different strokes for different folks...

I think VHF is probably in the wrong demographic, and no, watching women at Moxies doesn't count 

Agreed 100%.  Have been to the Drake a few times and there are always women drinking beer, funny that isn't it? The fact that the Drake has no liquor just does not seem like a big deal, they have 26 taps which is what you would be going there for. If it bothers you that they have no booze then go to Moxies.

 

 

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I'll say this.  I've worked in management in the f&b business, for almost a decade.  I'm familiar with the numbers.  No other restaurant in town, and 99.8% of them in North American do not operate in this fashion.  It won't work in the long term.  And the owners might be completely oblivious to why it's not working.   Look, I don't eat ketchup, but I would never entertain the idea of opening a restaurant that does not have it.

Stage Wine Bar has a full selection of cocktails and obviously spirits. They may even have beer.

 

Just sayin'.

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I'll say this.  I've worked in management in the f&b business, for almost a decade.  I'm familiar with the numbers.  No other restaurant in town, and 99.8% of them in North American do not operate in this fashion.  It won't work in the long term.  And the owners might be completely oblivious to why it's not working.   Look, I don't eat ketchup, but I would never entertain the idea of opening a restaurant that does not have it.

No not a jerk at all.  BTW they have wine now, I was in yesterday and noticed it being served.  I can't say I looked at the selection but for what it's worth they do serve vino. 

If they have wine then VHF has been vindicated