Finding the right martini
By Bernell Dorrough
Of the Post-Dispatch
Thursday, Jul. 14 2005
The girls on "Sex and the City" created a monster when they first started
ordering Cosmopolitans on the HBO hit series. Since then, it seems like every
bar in the country is marketing its flavored martinis to women who want to be
Carrie and men who want to date a sex columnist.
The prevalence of places serving these brightly colored cocktails can make it
hard to find the right spot. If you're like me, you want a spot that's modern
and trendy, but you don't want a place overflowing with materialistic posers
wearing $400 designer men's shirts. Just as important, you want a place where
you can afford to spend more than half an hour. For example, Harry's Downtown
probably would have made my list with its great view of the city if it hadn't
cost $15 for the cover and one drink.
A hidden treasure
Just around the corner from the cluster of clubs and restaurants on Washington
Avenue, you'll find Mosaic (1101 Lucas Ave.) one of the best places to grab a
drink after a long day at the office. This restaurant serves as a great
reminder to interior designers that a place can be fun and modern... and
well-lit. The brick walls and wood ceiling are illuminated by tall glass
windows. Instead of being tucked off in a corner, the black and brown bar
snakes around the center of the main room, and in the rear of the room you'll
find a beautiful tile mosaic with water flowing over it. Pleasant pop music
fills the room with artists ranging from Jason Mraz to Evanescence.
The atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit to Mosaic, but when you consider
that it has one of the best happy hours in town, you'll be hard pressed to find
a reason not to go. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., there's a half-off special on
domestic drafts, bottles and — wait for it — martinis, so the Mosaic Pearl I
ordered cost a mere $4.25. It features Pearl LoCoco Vodka, blue curacao and
pineapple juice, which gives the drink a light, pleasant taste.
Sake it to me, baby
For several years now, one of my favorite local restaurants has been Miso on
Meramec (16 N. Meramec), a sushi place in downtown Clayton. Its ambiance is a
perfect balance of the hip and the relaxed. Don't be misled by the somewhat
conservative atmosphere of the restaurant's street level. Head downstairs where
you'll find a black and metal bar, hip lighting and a large array of
comfortable chairs and couches. The atmosphere gets rounded out by house music
that sets an energetic mood without becoming a distraction. This stop is
particularly popular among 20-somethings, attracting a crowd that is trendy but
not pretentious.
Although the atmosphere and the crowd are the real reason to make a late-night
stop here, it has a respectable selection of martinis to choose from. I was
pleased with my choice of the Rising Sun Martini ($7). Made from Fuki plum
sake, orange juice and a splash of grenadine, it has a strong taste of orange
and cherry. If you're not in the mood for one of the flavored drinks, a round
of sake is also a good choice. Hoping to order some top-notch sushi? Head there
before 6:30 p.m. for about 25 percent off selected pieces.
Absolutli worth visiting
One of the best-known martini bars in town is Absolutli Goosed (3196 S. Grand).
Its red walls and black tables and chairs create a nice mood, and there is also
a recently added patio around the corner if you'd like to enjoy your drink in
the warm summer air. Admittedly, the inside of the bar could use a few more
wall decorations to add some flair, but the main attraction of Absolutli isn't
the atmosphere; it's the incredible drink selection. The bar has a 22-page menu
featuring about 100 varieties of martinis, ranging from standards like apple
martinis to entire page of drinks named after women from the James Bond and
Austin Powers movies.
With so many varieties of martinis, you're practically guaranteed to find one
you'll enjoy. I opted for the Peach Paradise ($6.50), which features Van Gough
coconut, Peach Schnapps, orange juice and a splash of cranberry. The
bartenders' experience making martinis was obvious; the peach taste was
flavorful but not overly sweet, and the alcohol didn't dominate the taste
either. It was so good, in fact, that my date made me trade drinks with her. A
Southern gentleman through and through, I smiled and switched with her... but a
martini fan through and through, I haven't called her since.
Visit the 20-Buck Bernie home page for a martini lounge mix.
Did I miss something? Think I'm way off-base? Drop by the 20-Buck Bernie forum
to offer feedback and suggestions for future stops. |