Oh Why Oh Why Do We Keep Forgetting to Take Pictures of People??

Maybe because we're having too damn much fun! This certainly was the case when Cafe Drake hosted Jen Lazzaro and special guests (the hubby/wife duo behind Pumpkin and Honeybunny Syrups and Soda and Cards) Erica Rothchild and Anton Nocito. Cafe Drake broke a (cold) sweat cooking for Ace Hotel chef Anton and his equally discerning wife and graphic design wiz Erica, but even after a near 48 hours of chutney making we cobbled together a Nepali-themed meal of Cinnamon and Ginger Chicken and Rice Pilao with all the traditional trimmings, including the quirky potato "condiment" of chilled Fingerlings in chili-spiked tomato sauce, mung bean sprout salad, carrots with curry leaves and yogurt, a zucchini and tomato relish and cukes dressed with a warm mustard oil vinaigrette. J-La provided wafer cookies with our coffee and digestifs of honey liqueur.

The evening began in Cafe Drake's living room over Rosewater Gimlets and Cayenne Potato Crisps but truly flourished throughout with lively conversation, fiery food and superb wines (see below); Anton and Erica blessed us with a gorgeous Zinfandel from their last Napa tour and Jen delivered a dry and mineraly rose suited to the opening course of Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho, liberally doused with Southern Indian spices and fresh green cayenne peppers.

Rosewater Gimlets
Masala Spiced Potato Crisps


New Delhi Gazpacho


Cinnamon and Ginger Chicken
Basmati Pilao
Shredded Carrot and Yogurt Salad
Mung Bean Sprout Salad with Coconut and Red Chilies
Cuke Salad with Mustard Oil Dressing
Chilled Tangy Potato Cubes in Tomato Dressing


Dark Chocolate Wafers
Coffee
Honey Liqueur


2009 Vrac Rose
2001 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel