I’ve heard that Artini tickets are selling out, but I checked www.secondstreetgallery.com and they’re not gone yet. Participating restaurants are already offering their submissions on their cocktail menus, and the competition is deliciously fierce. If you are not going to Artini, please do yourself a favor and visit OXO right away. Their sweet and spicy Artini, the David Hockney, is one of the most enjoyable and creative concoctions I’ve ever had (and I drink a lot, if you haven’t noticed). Expect a perfect balance of grapefruit, honeydew, and jalapeno. You may not expect it, but OXO’s cocktail menu is already among the best downtown. I prefer their agave margaritas to Continental’s, and they take gin martinis –the real thing– very seriously. Maya’s Murano Artini is going to be a strong competitor, too. Its aqua color and fruit blend make for a refreshing summer cooler. I hope they do more with the garnishes at the party, though, given what I’ve seen elsewhere: a slice of canned pear, or even a gingered pear candy, would be more interesting than an orange. I’ve had Blue Light’s Peach Period, and it struck me more as a champagne cocktail than a vodka one. This, Absolut will not like. Kiki’s Georgia O’Keeffe is not unlike the Wedding Cake, a vanilla vodka and pineapple juice martini I’ve had with both DisAronno and Frangelico. It’s not bad, it’s just not going to be the Jean Miro of the event.
Have you had any Artinis?
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Bang’s Pollock’s Pear is a fantastically refreshing martini garnished with a frozen pear swirled with icing of 2 different colors (I was there for Black & White). As they are last year’s champions, they are looking to keep thier title (represented by a trophy that Second Street misspelled something on). However, if you do not like Pear don’t even go near it. I don’t think it will win but this cocktail is worth a test-drive, if not for the fact that Blue Light’s overpriced monstrosity is an abomination. Thanks so much for reviewing the others!
Ummm…cold beertini? I might give that a try. Hmmm, sounding redneck!
Peach Period from the Blue Light is really good, but that’s all I’ve tasted so far.
Ten’s Artini has been by far the best I’ve tasted.
Artini tickets haven’t yet sold out, and are available online only at musictoday.com. To save yourself the processing fee, purchase them directly from Second Street Gallery, or at the Live Arts box office.
I hear the X-lounge Artini is pretty great - anyone had the one at Michael’s?
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The X Lounge Artini is very tasty - but you can’t taste a bit of alcohol and it is bound to mess you up as there is dessert wine in it as well as vodka.