Bardenay

610 Grove Street
www.bardenay.com

Stop 3 of Martini Mix-off 2009

I’d like to provide full disclosure from the beginning here. I’m not a huge fan of Bardenay. There vodka sucks…tastes like tequila which would be fine if I was ordering tequila but not when I’m ordering vodka. Plus the place is noisy and doesn’t have great energy flow. Ok, there I said it all, now moving on to Martinis!

This year they are mixing up:
Bardenay Bond
Bardenay Gin, Bardenay Vodka, and Lillet Blanc “shaken not stirred”

The Sixth Sense
Absolut Citron, Six traditional spices, and a house prepared juice blend of watermelon, honeydew, and lemon

Masala Martini
Absolut Peppar, Yellow Chartreuse, Yazi Ginger Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Starbuck’s Coffee Liqueur, Oregon Chai, a float of cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The Bardenay Bond was served with one of our favorite garnishes- the bleu cheese stuffed olive. Yum! This martini had an in-your-face alcohol taste. There wasn’t much subtleness to it at all, much like the recent Bond films, so appropriately named. It might be better just made with the gin since the vodka sucks.

The Sixth Sense was a favorite of a few at the table. I found it to be a bit too fruity, or at least watermelon-y but I’m not a fan of watermelon. If you like sweet and you like fruity, you will like this one!

The Masala Martini was definitely unique. Upon the first sip, the chai flavor of the spices really comes out. Then suddenly the finish is this big spicy kick from the Absolut Peppar. Beautiful presentation of an Asian symbol made with a dusting of cinnamon on top. This is dessert in a glass.

Overall, we didn’t come to a unanimous choice at this location. Service was adequate. We did not order food. Not sure any of us would return specifically for any of the martini options.

Pair

601 Main Street
http://eatdrinkshare.com

Stop 2 of Martini mix-off 2009

My friends and I met for brunch, martinis, and bottomless mimosas on a fine Sunday morning. There is some nice seating outside but all the seats out of the sun were already taken so we opted for inside dining. The restaurant seemed short on staff initially when it took some time before seeing any staff but once they came out of hiding we received excellent service.

We were quite impressed with the brunch menu. While it was not a huge selection, it had just the right amount of options to please all. The prices were great as well, ranging from $5-$9 with excellent sized portions. Each of us raved about our dishes with not one negative remark to be had. Brunch, along with $6 bottomless mimosas is enough to make anyone happy….of course we didn’t stop there….we were there for martinis!

We ordered up one of each of the options:
Blue-By-You- (Classic Martini)
Magellan Gin served with a Kumquat garnish

Limonare (Cocktail category)
Seagrams Gin, Campari, Lemoncello, lemon sour, flamed lemon peel garnish

French Connection (Original martini)
Martell VS Cognac, Charteuse and Barenjager, Liquers, lime sour, honeycomb garnish

We thought we would like the French Connection the least but it turned out to be, hands down, the best! The combination was very odd but it worked so incredibly well together and had the perfect balance of the flavors. With just a little taste of the honeycomb and a sip of the cocktail, heaven emerges. So fantastic!

The idea behind the Blue-By-You is to take a sip, then a small bite of the kumquat, then another sip. The gin is actually made from Iris (and several other spices and botanicals) and the kumquat brings out its essence. The blue tint of the gin naturally occurs from the botanicals. The blue and orange contrast adds to its beautiful presentation. While it is a very good martini, it didn’t create a buzz at the table. I liked it but it hasn’t been my favorite.

The Limonare was different. Campari definitely is the predominant flavor in this beverage and unique for sure. This drink looked like it would be fruity but it was rather tart, almost bitter. Not to say this is a negative, just that it appeals to a select few…..I am not one of them.

This turned out to be a great stop on the list! Brunch at Pair will definitely happen again!

Tablerock Brew Pub

705 Fulton Street
www.tablerockbrewpub.com

Stop 1 of the Martini Mix-Off 2009

This year’s mix-off maintains the Classic and Original categories while throwing in a cocktail category. This worked well when 3 of us participated at Tablerock Brew Pub. We each ordered a different drink and were able to sample all.

I ordered the Classic titled JudgSmails. It was made with British Dry Gin and Lillet. It had a sweetness to it not what I usually find in a classic martini. No garnish but I suggested a lemon or orange twist would be appropriate. This was a nice, smooth martini. The gin had a subtleness that I enjoyed as I do not care for the often over-powering juniper flavor of many gins.

Monica ordered the Original titled Lacey Vinderale. It was a combination of Tarragon infused Absolut (the event’s sponsor), Absolut Citron, and pink grapefruit juice. While I found the tarragon infusion to add great interest to this drink, the tartness was a bit overwhelming. It also appeared to only be regular grapefruit juice instead of pink which would probably help to greatly improve the cocktail. Again, this was not served with a garnish.

Fran is not a big fan of the martini, so she selected the Cocktail: Ty Webb. This lovely cocktail included Absolut, Chambord, Fume Blanc, and (supposedly) fresh grapes. Said grapes never did appear.....again, no garnish?!?! The glass did arrive sugar rimmed with cocktail on the rocks. The cocktail had a nice amount of sweetness to it and all the flavors were well balanced.

All-in-all we enjoyed our brief time at Tablerock Brew Pub. The service was decent, a bit confused at times, but fine just the same. It was nice having a patio to enjoy our cocktails and a bike rack for our rides. While the cocktails were all pleasant, I’m not sure they have what it takes to compete against some of the competition. And please, add some garnish!!

Neurolux

www.neurolux.com
111 N 11th Street

Time: 1-8 Daily
Special: $1 drafts; $2 wells
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: Yes
Other mentions: Full Bar, seating outside

Neurolux has always been a great favorite of mine with its eclectic style and stiff, cheap drinks! This first day of spring was no different. It was a perfect day to sit outside on the patio and watch the cars go by.

This day did not have outside service but it was quiet enough inside that a walk up to the bar rendered drinks quickly. Several regulars lingered at the bar, while a few played pool in the expanded back area.

While Neurolux might be one of my favorite stops it isn’t for everyone. It is smoky inside. It serves up some of the stiffest drinks around. If you prefer to be around people in suits and crisp shirts, well this might not be the place for you. If you like variety, live music that is not mainstream, and the occasional theater production, you need to try it out!

Happy Fish

855 Broad Street
www.happyfishsushi.com

Time: 4-6 M-F
Special: $5 select martinis and sake
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: No
Other mentions: Full sushi menu; lunch menu prices until 4:30 pm

Happy Fish is a fun little sushi establishment located off the alley between 8th and 9th off Broad Street. It has offerings of sashimi, nigiri, rolls, tempura, and even some cooked yummies. There are about 10 tables inside with additional seating at the sushi bar and outside, weather permitting.

Happy hour provides 4 different martini options as well as a hot sake. The martinis include a House vodka or gin martini, Cosmo, Happy Lemon Drop, or the Happy Hour Sakatini. Some of these are only for the happy hour special. I enjoyed the Happy Lemon Drop during my visit which is made with a Ginger Vodka. The ginger is a great complement to the basic lemon drop and actually makes them go down quickly.

I also enjoyed some food since I had arrived while the lunch menu was still available (much cheaper!). I had the Sushi Moriawase for $10 compared to the $15 on the dinner menu. This came with soup, nigiri (including my favorite- Taco), and a roll that I could eat (sans avocado!). The service was great, even with the changing of the guard during my tenure on the barstool. The food was good. The Happy Lemon Drops made me very happy!

This could become dangerous with the proximity to my office.....i’m already craving another Happy Lemon Drop!

Falcon Tavern

www.falcontavern.com
780 W Idaho Street

Time: 4-6 Daily
Special: 2 for 1 pints and other rotating daily specials
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: No
Other mentions: Full menu. Beer and wine but no liquor.

The Falcon Tavern is a great little pub in the heart of downtown Boise. It isn’t a large place but is efficient with what it has. There are about 10 seats at the bar and about 12 2-4 top tables for dining or just enjoying a beer or two after work. During nice weather, there is seating available on the patio, making for some great people watching.

I arrived right at 4 anxious to start my weekend. There were already a handful of folks at the bar and a few tables full. I chose a 2 top along the back wall. I was unfamiliar with most of the beers on tap so the server kindly brought me a couple of samples. The beer was tasty and the atmosphere nice. By about 5:30 all the tables were full, as were the seats at the bar. I can see why this place has a great appeal.

While I didn’t order any food this trip, I have on other occasions. They have the basics of pub fare covered, such as burgers and sandwiches but they also provide several salad choices and daily specials. The prices are reasonable and the portions generous. I will definitely go back and most likely soon!

Mai Thai

750 W Main Street

Time: 5-6:30 M-F 9-10 M-TH
Special: daily bottled beer selection $2, 2 for 1 wells $5, mojitos $5
Appetizer specials
Rating: 4 martinis
Smoking: no

Food specials!
99¢ APPETIZERS
satay (chicken, pork or tofu)
spring roll or summer roll
thai wing
$1.59 APPETIZERS
three flavors popcorn chicken
imperial vegetable potsticker
thai taco
$3.95 APPETIZERS
asian chicken lettuce wraps
seafood packets
lotus dim sum

Matt and I went out for drinks for my birthday! I have gone to Mai Thai on my birthday every year it has been open except one when I was out of town. The bar area was nearly vacant but the restaurant looked mostly full.

Thomas was our bartender. He gave us the low down and we quickly ordered a beverage and appetizers. While the appetizers are cheap, they are also very small. I’m not complaining, because they were very tasty! I’m just saying that you should not expect to get the same item you would get on the regular menu. I ordered the summer roll and the satay. Mai Thai’s summer roll is one of my favorites. I often attempt to recreate it and think I come very close, but there is nothing like having someone else make it for you! ……especially on your birthday. My only problem of the night is Thomas trying to rush us off. Thirty minutes after receiving our drinks, he asked if we were ready to tab out…..it was before 7! He qualified it with “you don’t look like drinkers”. Well that is good but it was my birthday!! I at least enjoyed my company. We moved on…..but I’ll be back sometime…..