Saturday, April 12, 2008

Cliff Dweller takes an Oak Cliff martini tour

By Staff of Cliff Dweller

After the CliffDweller Margarita Tour article was published last fall, neighbor and friend Scott Chase contacted us with a recommendation for a Martini Tour. We all agreed it was an interesting idea and planned to revisit the idea in the spring.

Well, spring has sprung, and so one recent beautiful spring day we gathered our team plus some certified martini experts to do some serious research for the benefit of you, our readers. This is not a job we take lightly. We hope you appreciate the seriousness of the task at hand.

First, the ground rules. We selected five Oak Cliff establishments that are known to serve martinis. These are by no means the only places to get a martini in the Cliff, but we felt that after five martinis, our ability to distinguish the good from the bad would be negatively impacted, and so we made arbitrary decisions. Don’t like our choices? Host your own tour and send a letter in with the results.

Second, we asked bartenders to prepare their signature martini. We could certainly fill several pages of this magazine with an examination of gin versus vodka, to vermouth or not to vermouth, etc. But we felt that rather than focus on the issues that divide us as martini lovers, we’d find common ground on the fact that if it tastes good, it is good.

Finally, we are responsible citizens and didn’t want to endanger the public, or ourselves, so we called our good friend Carlos Garcia at Champion Limo Service to allow us to ride, and taste, in style.

And so without further ado, the results.

BECKLEY BREWHOUSE

Espresso Martini, $9

Ingredients: Vanilla vodka, Kahlua, Fresh espresso

According to Corinna Wills, co-owner of the Brew House, two of these tasty martinis is a love potion, and three is a divorce. To say they go down easy is a complete understatement. Its rich espresso flavor with a creamy finish was excellent, but make no mistake. Even though you don’t taste any alcohol, you can be sure that it’s in there. We’d put this martini in the “after dinner drink” category, but we’ll enjoy it anytime.

BAR BELMONT

Belmontini, $12 (half-price on Tuesdays!)

Ingredients: Ketel One

Citroen, Grand Marnier, Champagne, Pomegranate juice

We can tell you this for certain: There is not a better view to pair with your martini than the view of downtown from the deck of the Bar Belmont. The Belmontini is sweet and refreshing, the champagne giving it effervescence and the pomegranate giving it a zest that are sure to make you smile.

KAVALA

The Pomtini, $9

Ingredients: Stoli Vanilla vodka, Limoncello, Pomegranate juice, Lime juice

Garnished with pomegranate seeds and a lime wheel, this was the most visually appealing martini we tried. And the addition of the limoncello gave it a smooth finish. It’s a perfectly-balanced cocktail that tastes a lot like a slice of key lime pie. All of the tasters’ glasses were emptied at Kavala, a real testament to the quality of the drink, or a signal that our martini tour was really in full swing.

TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE

Sassy Sara, $9

Ingredients: Smirnoff vanilla vodka, Pineapple rum, Lemon-lime simple syrup, and a slice of a jalapeno as a garnish

When Sara Tillman overhauled her restaurant last year, she also overhauled her bar menu. The Sassy Sara was created by a mixologist who has been recognized by Gourmet Magazine, and after tasting the drink you’ll know why. It tastes a little like a kamikaze, but with even more complexity in the flavor department. And the jalapeno garnish adds a delicate amount of heat to each sip. This martini is a real thirst quencher.

THE QUINN

Quinnessential, $7.50

Ingredients: Patron tequila, Olive juice, Lime juice, Jalapeno juice and a splash of orange juice

Stop the presses. We suspected the Quinn wouldn’t come with your run-of-the-mill martini, but going with a tequila-based Mexican martini was a bold move. It has a spicy kick with a bold finish, nothing subtle about this drink. The martini seemed a perfect pairing with the vibe of the Quinn, which is a little rough around the edges but mixes well with friends.

For the true martini aficionados, we had a fairly fruity selection from which to choose. Wanting to demonstrate his own martini chops, and strictly in the interest of research, Scott Chase invited the tasting team over to his Stevens Park area home for a more traditional martini selection.

Armed with several different varieties of gin and vermouth (with and without the bitters), these martinis would put hair on your chest. Scott is truly an expert in the art of making a fine cocktail, and he and his wife Debra are two of the most hospitable people in the Cliff. Count yourself lucky if you ever find yourself with an invite to the Chase household. . . we sure do!

Cheers!

Pegasus News content partner - Cliff Dweller

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