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Barfly Jason Genegabus |
KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM
The barfly goes classy this week, taking sips of 007's drink in place of his usual beer. Palomino bartender Joe Toro with a Twisted Drop Martini, right, and Honeydew Melon Daiquiri Martini.
Where marvelous
martinis awaitANOTHER reader request to take care of this week -- more than a few people have asked me lately where a good place is to have a martini.
Being a beer drinker myself, I have to admit that I'm not the type to hang out at a place like Indigo or Meritage, where full-fledged "Martini Nights" are the norm. If I'm going to kick back James Bond-style, it's got to be somewhere that is as classy as the drinks I'm ordering.
Out of all the bars in town that offer a variety of specialty martinis, Palomino Restaurant, Rotisserie and Bar is probably my favorite place to relax and have a few after a hard day at work. Located on the third floor at Harbor Court, Palomino's lounge area is separate from the restaurant with about 20 seats available at the bar itself. There are also another dozen tables and a few booths available for spreading out. This place is a favorite of the Aloha Shirt Army because of its proximity to downtown; expect a good crowd during pau hana, especially on Fridays.
Palomino Restaurant, Rotiserrie and Bar
Location: 66 Queen St.; call: 528-2400
Whether your idea of a good martini is one that goes down easily and looks pretty in the glass or one that is made with the best quality liquors, the folks at Palomino have got you covered. I tried a "Vanilla Sky Martini" ($7.50), made with Belvedere vodka, pineapple juice, fresh lemon sour, Blue Curacao and vanilla. This one definitely fell into the goes down easily and looks pretty category, but the bartender helped to reaffirm my masculinity by assuring me lots of guys order nothing else besides these when they visit.
My Drinking Buddy, who explained his taste in martinis with the statement, "I'm the fruit-free type, actually," decided to try "The Collection Martini" ($6.95), which included Bombay Sapphire gin with a splash of Laphroaig single-malt scotch and Noilly Prat dry vermouth. Now that, my friends, was a bona fide martini. I was getting a buzz after just two sips, and I still had my drink to finish, too.
THE SECOND stop on our quest for a good martini was Roy's Restaurant in Hawaii Kai. While most people think of this place as a great pick for dinner or a special occasion, forget about heading upstairs at Roy's on your next visit and hang out at the small bar near the front entrance instead.
Roy's Restaurant
Location: 6700 Kalanianaole Highway; call: 396-7697
Spend a few minutes with Kelli, who tends bar downstairs Sunday through Thursday nights, and you'll feel like a regular pretty quickly. She's been on the staff at Roy's for about a decade and can answer almost any question about the restaurant and its menu in addition to making a quality cocktail.
When I asked about the "Hawaiian Martini," a drink made famous at Roy's mainland locations that I had read about, Kelli explained that the Hawaii Kai restaurant didn't offer that particular drink. But as any good bartender would do, she quickly offered a substitute -- the "Bikini Martini" ($6.25). A mix of Absolut vodka, Malibu rum, Chambord and a splash of pineapple juice, the "Bikini Martini" is what I can picture drinking on a Sunday afternoon at Roy's around sunset. I'm especially looking forward to heading back out there when live entertainment resumes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings sometime this summer with the likes of Wade Cambern and Jon Basebase.
AND IF WE'RE going to talk about classy places to order a martini, the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel is definitely worth mentioning. For over 50 years the hotel has continued to provide an elegant, upscale atmosphere for both local residents and tourists alike.
Sheraton Moana Surfrider Beach Bar
Location: 2365 Kalakaua Ave.; call: 923-2839
Head down to the Beach Bar at the Moana Surfrider for an experience that hasn't changed much from the early days of Waikiki. Located right on Kuhio Beach, guests are afforded a multi-million dollar view of the Waikiki shoreline as they enjoy a cold drink and live entertainment seven days a week. When the Barfly stopped in with the Drinking Buddy, we were treated to a performance by a solo hula dancer with a guitarist as a few hotel guests lounged near the bar area.
If you decide to visit the Beach Bar for a martini, make sure to ask that your drink be served in a martini glass. Since the Beach Bar is outside, most drinks are served in shatterproof plastic tumblers or disposable cups to prevent accidents. But if you ask nicely and promise not to drop the glass, the Moana Surfrider staff will be more than happy to provide a complete martini-drinking experience. Pineapple, raspberry, apple and cranberry martinis are all available for $7.29. (The funny price is due to tax being added by the hotel.)
THERE YOU GO -- three places to try if you're in the mood for a martini. While you can't go wrong with special happy-hour martini prices at places like Brew Moon, Reign or the Ocean Club, the next time you're in the mood for sipping, why not try someplace a bit more upscale?
Barfly appears every Friday in Star-Bulletin Weekend.
E-mail Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com with suggestions of neighborhood bars to visit.
