I am rating this place based upon their price point. Le Draveur has priced themselves in the same category as very high end restaurants even though it's located in a small town with no similarly competing restaurants. They are trying to seem high end, with expensive cuts of meat that are apparently aged and of good quality.
First off, I travel for a living and have extensive experience eating out. I've also been taught by a professional, high end chef, as well as worked in the food service industry, so when it comes to restaurants and food, I do know what I'm talking about.
Le Draveur is putting themselves in the same price point as very high end steak houses and destination type of restaurants with steak dishes around $150 and more on the menu. They have some less expensive options as well, but sadly they miss the mark, and when you're playing in this bracket, you can't afford to do that.
I've been working in town for 2 week and going there almost every night they are open. On average my bill has been over $100, so I have easily spent close to $1000 on food here.
First off the service. The servers are very nice, polite, friendly. Cannot say anything bad about their personalities and approach. Service is a bit slow. At first they bring a drink menu and offer water. Then they return a bit later and ask for your drink order. When they deliver it they usually don't deliver the food menu, which could have been brought with the drink menu. That usually comes later, about 20 minutes into you having sat down.
When they return again, they start telling you about the specials, which are not on the menu, but hand written on blackboards about the restaurant that you need to get up to see and read. Obviously you have not had time or even knew they existed so while you think about them your drink is done and you are ordering another. It's a clever tactic at getting more alcohol sales.
Finally the server returns, a fifth time to take your order.
The food. I've had several dishes here, they have ranged from OK to good, but hardly warranting the price tag. One was an attempt at a cannelloni with supposedly wagyu steak. It was overcooked and the pasta was hard. It could have had the lowest quality steak meat and you would not be able to tell the difference. Not worth the cost.
Another was a 5oz angus prime rib for $45. I was asked how I wanted it, I said rare, it showed up closer to medium. For a tiny steak the flavour was average and the veggies were cold. It was also late and took over 40 minutes to get to me only after I enquired about it. The night was not that busy, and other customers that ordered after me got theirs first.
The "cheap" steak off the regular menu was average. It comes drowning in an over powering sauce and it really wouldn't make much of a difference what type of steak it is, you can't really taste the meat. But at $35 it's their cheapest option.
My co-worker had the very expensive poutine dinner, that came with some meat which was cold. He ended up having the runs that evening.
I will say that their sashimi and tartare dishes are wonderful and very tasty!
Also the ribs are good and priced fairly.
As a summary, I've had way better service and meals at places like The Keg, Mortons of Chicago, and many other high end independent and chain steakhouses. So if you want to be in the same category as the big boys ....step up your game and get your...
Read more
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AI.
