The Unused Excess

Suffering from a recent last-minute dinner cancellation, Cafe Drake was thrown into a tizzy but soon realized the intrepid and tough Host will always proceed forward . . . saving a dismal situation with a "glass half-full" attitude and the promise of copious leftovers. Should you find your table all dressed up with no place to go, we say CARRY ON . . . cook that meal, freeze the (highly) perishable elements and enjoy a dinner aimed at guests in front of a well-stocked TiVo or DVD library.

Possessing a strong stomach (film-wise), Cafe Drake cued up (via Netflix) the 1969 rare Japanese cult classic Horrors of Malformed Men and Episode 1 of Fassbinder's marathon macabre miniseries Berlin Alexanderplatz (requiring even further intestinal fortitude than the preceding J-Horror gorefest), all whilst noshing on an indulgent feast originally aimed at pleasing guests.

Above you will find a photo of our plate runneth over, including Indian-style garlic bread, paneer with shallots and fresh green peas, tiny yellow and red new potatoes stewed in mustard oil and curry leaves and a piquant herb salad of arugula, mint leaves, basil petals and sprigs of cilantro.

You're always worth the best! Don't forget that! Dive into a platter fit for a queen even if you're an unexpectedly solitary one!