Sunday Chicken Supper with Jen & Ben

It's easy to be intimidated preparing dinner for Ben T., especially given last week's masterpiece dinner at his Greenpoint crib of Toasted Almond and Apricot Chicken Tagine, gussied up couscous and salad of mustard and other bitter greens. Not to even mention the homemade profiteroles!

But bravely Cafe Drake plowed forward with a casual Sunday Chicken Supper for Ben and Ms. Jen Ruske. Impressing these two uber-talented hosts proved a feat but we all sank into glorious weekend oblivion via plenty of top-shelf booze and equally grand good vibes. See pics above and menu below and many thanks to our guests for their glorious vino contributions. (And kudos, Ruske, for gifting us with home-baked cookies!)

Post meal we all three retired to Cafe Drake's living room for - courtesy of TiVo - a fast-forwarded greatest hits of last week's Tony Awards. Yes we hit up Neal Patrick Harris' duet with Hugh Jackman and naturally all things Sutton Foster.

SUNDAY CHICKEN SUPPER FOR JEN & BEN

Champagne Cocktails

Bayley Hazen Blue Cheese

Sourdough Boule

Watercress Salad with Avocado and Honeyed Miso Dressing

Deviled Whole Chicken Thighs

Quinoa and Corn Pilao

Beet and Yogurt Salad

Cabbage with Hot Red Pepper Paste

Sesame Enoki Mushroom Salad

Jasmine Panna Cotta

Chocolate Almonds

Ice Wine Chocolate Truffles

Espresso

St. Croix Cocoa and Coconut Cordial