Padma Lakshmi dating David Spade?

New mother Padma Lakshmi took a night off parenting duties to enjoy a candle lit dinner date with an unlikely companion – comedian David Spade.

The model and host of U.S. show Top Chef  tried to make a low-key exit from celebrity hotspot Koi last night with the diminutive Spin City star.

But the pair were caught on their way out and got into David’s Jeep together a few moments later.

Both stars have have a chequered history when it comes to romance.

David, has been linked to a string of famous women over the years including Heather Locklear, Nicolette Sheridan, Teri Hatcher and Krista Allen but he never married.

The 45-year-old, is is starring in the upcoming comedy Grown Ups with Adam Sandler, also became a father in 2008 when Playboy Playmate, Jillian Grace, gave birth to a baby girl, named Harper, nine months after their short affair.

‘I had a brief relationship with Jillian Grace. If it is true that I am the father of her child, then I will accept responsibility,’ Spade said at the time.

Lakshmi, 39, a former model, married British novelist Sir Salman Rushdie in 2004. Rushdie had been married 3 times before and the pair had a 23-year age gap.

They divorced in 2007.

In February she gave birth to a daughter, Krishna Thea Lakshmi.