How We Keep Busy

The relative lack of updates on the Cafe Drake blog doesn't mean we haven't been busy, rather more that we've been too hectic in scheduling and swamped with duties over at The DP Chutney Collective. (Read more here about our latest condiment debuting locally next week, the luscious and piquant Mostarda di Frutteto). Freakish warm weather has also found us - when we can steal a moment - reading on park benches and strolling through the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens; cooler evenings we're likely to be curled up under throws with Lloyd, reading or catching up on our vast Roku and Netflix queues. See below photos from the rare-ish Night Out or two during the last week.

CHOPPED CHAMPIONSHIP WITH JEN L AND FAMILY

J-la always throws together the most amazing appetizer trays: Spanish dry chorizo, sourdough baguette, German raw cow milk cheese, dry aged Gouda, fresh Brooklyn-made mozzarella.

The Chopped "Judges": Mary Pat and Sarah

Jen's sis, nephew and nieces visiting this week from Rochester are seasoned Chopped contestants.

Sam explains his dish (cooked with Jen) to the judges.

Our well-curated Chopped "pantry."

The winning dish (uh-hum).

Cafe Drake was lucky to have Megan as our Chopped team captain.

Megan's lovely Chopped contribution of polenta 3 ways (sweet and savory) atop zucchini carpaccio.

JEN RUSKE's INITIAL BIRTH MONTH CELEBRATION

We all gathered at Ruske's favorite fried chicken/retro bar The Commodore for a greasy-fingered salute to Jen.

Jorge, Jen L and Elfe C

Pals of Many Years: The Birthday Girl and Jorge (actual age of each "unknown"/TBD)