Theme Bars/ Restaurants
The man that first taught me about alcohol, tobacco and firearms always held that a man's drink was a very personal thing. So I would be hard pressed to rate a place on how well it mixes a cocktail. But I don't have to hesitate writing about how much I like Martinis, tucked away behind Mimi's on South Fort Apache at Charleston. You might dismiss it as you lump it with the other theme bars out there that offer sports, gaming, and food with some sort of hook. Here the hook is the sophisticated Martini, the perfect cocktail for this neo-rich suburban enclave called Summerlin. What might surprise you is that Martinis pulls off what so many of the pretenders shoot for, an understated art deco look with polished dark wood throughout, reminiscent of the old men's clubs of the East Coast 1940's.
The walls are tastefully appointed with framed reprints of New Yorker magazine cartoons, with some aspect of the Martini featured in each. The 16 page drink and spirit menu has vodkas and gins from around the world, as well as single batch bourbons and single malt and blended whiskey that you don't normally find in a Vegas strip center bar. The service is extremely friendly, easily explaining the loyal following this place has established in just six short months. Satellite radio provides an ever changing mix of music and a dozen or so big flat screen monitors fill the open spaces on the walls not covered with cartoons. One entire wall of this spacious bar, is a very large, glass-enclosed liquor cabinet. Very impressive.
So the atmosphere is great, but how about the food? Here the surprises just kept on coming. Forest Farrell, Chef d' Cuisine, certainly lives up to his title, serving up inventive offerings as eclectic as Martinis itself. The heirloom tomato salad with pesto was an explosion of flavor not to be missed. Be sure to try one of Forest's brick oven flat breads, a great pizza presentation. And even if you've never liked potato wedges, try Martinis- they could franchise these alone and make a fortune. The ribs could use some work, but shame on me for ordering ribs anywhere outside of the great state of Texas or Kansas City. Fear not, there are so many other choices to enjoy. I understand they serve food 24 hours a day, with happy hour M to F 4pm to 6pm, live music on Saturdays starting at 10, and a Champagne Brunch on Sunday from 7am to 2pm.
(11/05/07)
Martinis
1205 South Fort Apache
Las Vegas, NV 89117
702.242.TINI (8464)