FRIDAY MARTI...HOLD ON...

What fun is life if you don't shake things up every once in a while?

So, instead of the Friday Martini we're headed for Ile St Barth and an ice cold rum on the shores of Saint Jean Beach. The famous Hepy Bar at the beautiful Hotel Emeraude Plage.

Escape with a taste of the Caribbean.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Once again it's Friday and time to begging thinking abut the weekend.

Today's concoction is in Long Beach California in honor of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, being run whiz weekend.

What do you have planned?

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Once again it's Friday. *yay*

And since Friday nights, Martinis and Jazz go together, today's feature is from 

the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Live music (jazz) and a terrific bar.

See you there.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Once again we find ourselves blissfully at the end of another work week, with two whole days with which to entertain ourselves. Or do the chores that have piled up all week.

Either way calls for a martini.

This Summer's day edition is from sunny Laguna Beach, California. 

Perfect for a cold and rainy Winter day...

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Sorry, kids. A little under the weather.

Still, have to be a gracious host. Here's a martini for your weekend. Extra strong.

From the Aurora Lounge, Luxor Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

An inverted pyramid, under the pyramid.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Back to the beginning.

I had a great conversation from a dear friend and trusted mentor last night which leads me to completely revamp the book. Hate it when that happens, but it promises to make the read a much more fun one. I hope. And if it isn't, that's nothing two or three quick martinis won't improve.

So here's to new beginnings and to a terrific weekend.

Happy Friday.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

It's Friday. After a long, hard, and very hot week (at least here in Southern California).

Time for a martini.

This week's special is from Quattro at Whistler, in the beautiful Canadian ski resort of Whistler, BC. Nothing like a nice martini after a day on the slopes. No. I don't ski, but I'll take the martini anyway.

(Have a fantastic weekend, and don't forget to check out the sample chapter 

from my book Chasing Martinis.)

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

The Friday Martini: Maggiano's, Costa Mesa, CA.

Tito's

Have a great weekend!!!

THE FRIDAY MARTINI (RECIPE)

The Godiva Chocolate Martini

* Chocolate sauce and cane sugar

* 2 oz Godiva Chocolate liqueur (per person)

* 1 1/2 oz vodka (per person)

* White chocolate shavings

* 2 fresh raspberries on a toothpick (per person)

Pour chocolate sauce onto a small plate, sugar onto a different small plate.

Invert martini glass and dip rim into chocolate, then into sugar.

Pour Godiva liqueur and vodka into martini shaker with ice. 

Shake for ten seconds, then pour into martini glasses.

Garnish with raspberries and shavings, serve immediately.



(Note: This is not Godiva's official recipe. You can find that here.)

THE FRIDAY MARTINI AND RECIPE

It's the end of the week, and as always we pay respects to our favorite Friday libation, the martini.

Adding a new twist (pun intended) with our favorite weekly martini - or other drink - recipe, just to make your Friday more adventurous.

Today's recipe from the folks at Ciroc vodka, and the martini illustration is from The Neptune Restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand.

First up, the "Ciroc Lola":

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz. CÎROC™ Vodka
1.5 oz. Pomegranate Juice
0.25 oz. Elderflower Liqueur
1 splash of Champagne
METHOD

1. Combine CÎROC™ Vodka, Pomegranate Juice and Elderflower Liqueur in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Top with a splash of Champagne.
4. Garnish with Orchid flower.

Have a great weekend!!!

ENOUGH OF THAT! (THE FRIDAY MARTINI)

Enough time off for lazing around after the marathon road trip. Time to get back to the daily posts.

Today's Friday, which means it's time for the Friday Martini!

The trip added several to the portfolio, but here's one of my favorite. From the Coppin's Restaurant at the Hotel Covington, across the river from Cincinnati.

Have a great weekend!

CHASING MARTINIS

This week's Friday Martini is from Larry's, Venice Beach, California.

Very Bohemian with a side of fries...

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Sometimes it's the place as much as the libation.

Sunset, London, dining on the balcony of the OXO Brasserie overlooking the River Thames.

Belvedere.

Have a fantastic weekend.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

It's Friday afternoon and time for the weekend's martini.

The below image is one of the chapter headers from the book Chasing Martinis, and based on an original martini photo from The Delaunay restaurant in London's theater district.

The original shot, part of the book's Bright Lights Big City chapter, is below.

Pinnacle vodka.

Have a terrific weekend!

THE FRIDAY MARTINI!

It's Friday again, time to savor the weekend and enjoy a little of life's indulgences. After all, most of us work to pay for what we do outside the office.

This week's martinis is from Papagayo's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

Lake Arrowhead, California.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

It's FRIDAY - time for a mother Friday Martini!

Today's libation is from Kendall's Brasserie at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Chopin (vodka), of course.

From the upcoming book Chasing Martinis

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

It's Friday, and it's been a rough week all the way around.

The world needs a Martini.

Have a great weekend.

CHASING MARTINIS - THE SETUP

As part of the process of marketing CHASING MARTINIS (and by marketing, I mean finding a publisher), I have developed a thirty-minute training course I call Martinis 101.

Topics include a little history, some anecdotes, tasting (of course) and mixology.

Did you know there are four methods to mix a martini, each with a different result on the palate?

Below is a sample setup from a recent "Not-so-Dry" run of the course. 

Have a great weekend.

THE FRIDAY MARTINI - MARTINIS 101

It's Friday, and that means Martinis!

A special event this week. As part of the planned promotion for the book

CHASING MARTINIS, we're setting up a series of events at local bars and night spots.

Martinis 101, a half hour (or so) presentation on the history and mixing of one of the most classic beverages at your local watering hole.

Tonight we have what we are calling the 

MARTINIS 101 "Not-so-dry" Run Through!

Have a great weekend!

THE FRIDAY MARTINI

Overlooking the gentle Pacific on a late Summer evening. At the Mar'sel Restaurant within the beautiful Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Bombay Sapphire.