Dinner For One

Fresh betel leaves

The shredded leaves ready to be tossed with a dressing of oil, soy sauce, lime juice and sugar. Betel leaves are popular in both Indian and Thai cuisines and worth seeking out for their unusual taste (slight smoky, somewhat bitter, highly aromatic) and texture.

Calamari prepared in the manner of a Goan beach shack: briefly marinated in red wine vinegar and chopped garlic and pan-fried with plenty of dried red chiles.

A last minute dinner cancellation left Cafe Drake with a set table and kitchen full of food; when faced with such a dilemma we always rise to the occasion. Or rather sit. Making the most of our evening we enjoyed a book by candlelight and a scrumptious meal of betel leaf salad with pan-fried butternut squash, Goan-style calamari, sauteed spinach with ginger and slabs of buttery whole wheat garlic bread.