Welcome to 2011: Cafe Drake Early January Snippets

We promise to soon post reviews and recaps of our many spectacularly good meals recently amidst Atlanta's thriving international restaurant scene, but for now Cafe Drake offers just a few miscellaneous moments from the New Year.

Octavio Fenech joined Cafe Drake for our annual "good luck" New Year's meal of Southern charms: Hoppin' John stew, braised greens and cornbread. The simple but traditional meal was rounded out with a sharp sheep's milk cheese from Consider Bardwell Farm and homemade pickles.

After experiencing the visual spectacle of Peter Greenaway's Last Supper exhibition at the Park Ave. Armory, Jen Ruske retired to Cafe Drake for a lazy Sunday night supper of toasted whole wheat cornbread, curried chickpeas and kale. We started with Blood Orange Gin Rickeys and toasted cashews and ended with (our Mother's handmade) chocolate-dipped dried apricots. The first seated course was a bisque of carrots and parsnips (seen above, stewing and later, plated with a spring onion and white truffle oil drizzle).

What to do with a leftover 1/2 lb. of iron skillet whole wheat cornbread? Stuff a chicken of course.

On the coldest night of the year (so far) Ruske invited friends to her warm and cozy new flat for drinks and a cheese and fig compote spread. Sharon and Pete brought homemade peanut butter and chocolate fudge and after gorging on sweets, cheese and bubbly we all headed to nearby Vamos al Tequila. While deserted and kitschy the restaurant turns out decent enchiladas mole and margaritas. Best of all though were two homemade hot sauces - one thick with cilantro, the second creamy and yellow from a mysterious mix of fresh and dried chilies - and a free round offered by the hostess of tequila and mezcal shots.