What does the cryptic crossword clue "After French wine, drink ale at first then head for spicy meal (8)" mean?

The definition is "spicy meal". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). VIN (abbreviation="wine,") + D (abbreviation="drink") + A (first_letter="ale") + LOO (synonym="head") = VINDALOO; definition: "spicy meal" The answer is VINDALOO.

After French wine, drink ale at first then head for spicy meal (8)

Times Cryptic #28964 | 24 Across | 2024-07-09 flower

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