Martinis Anyone?

Each summer I adopt a cocktail. Of course I can only recall the last few summers -- Gin and Tonics in 2004; Golden Margaritas in 2005 (on the rocks, with salt); Mojito in 2006 -- and this summer, it was the vodka martini (up, bone dry, twist).

Maybe it's because it's my current cocktail, but the martini strikes me as the perfect cocktail. I think, and you can check with me next summer, that I may not adopt another cocktail. This is it.

I had a funny martini moment this week that reminded me or reassured me that my martini devotion is on target. The parents of my lifelong best friend -- you know the one, since we were eight years old -- arrived in Portland Thursday morning aboard the cruise ship "Explorer of the Seas." My good buddy called me with the news that his mom and dad were here and he invited me to give his dad's cell a ring -- on the off chance that they'd like to grab lunch with me. (These folks are eighty years old. The last time they saw me was twenty years ago -- graduating from high school. High on life, and a few other substances. Probably more than you need to know.) Anyway, they were tired from the last couple days of trekking off-shore and on-board, so we took it easy.

I took them on a quick trip to Cape Elizabeth to look at the lighthouse. We enjoyed the breeze and shot the breeze, quickly catching up on my family's story, and their's. After enough lighthouse viewing we returned to Portland to the Portland Harbor Hotel to sit in the garden/courtyard and enjoy lunch together. Enter the martini.

Noon at Eve's at the Garden -- Portland Harbor Hotel. Gene and Ginny were in Portland as part of their vacation, so why wait. They ordered two Grey Goose martinis, one up, one on the rocks. Both with twists. I told them about my summer cocktails, that this was the year of the martini. They agreed. But they reassured me that every year is the year of the martini. We laughed -- but they were serious. After a lifetime of cocktails (and meals) at the country club, they'd learned that the martini is cocktail perfection. This point of view came from two of my heroes - so who was I to doubt them.

Another round and it was back to the cruise ship and back to work, for me. (Note that I did not have cocktails at Eve's, I was good and only had one Shipyard. Although the martini is king, the days of the martini lunch are long gone.)

So what's my point?

My point is this, the martini is perfection and there are only two or three places in Portland worth the high cost of a martini. First place: Back Bay Grill. Johnny the bartender is a master of the trade. He muddles his martinis so they come served with a thin layer of ice crystals across the top (if your order is "up"). Trust me, Johnny knows what he's doing. And he's a heck of a nice guy to talk with as you savor the goodness.

Second is Eve's martini bar, aka the lobby bar at Portland Harbor Hotel. On warm evenings there's nothing better than sitting with friends in the garden, enjoying a great martini. It really is an oasis in the middle of the Old Port.

Third is Vignola. Enjoy a martini with a quattro stagioni pizza (Teleme, Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses with Nicoise olives, Eggplant, Spinach and Porcini Mushrooms). Amazing. The service is sometimes an issue, but the quality of food and drink usually overcomes any downsides.

I invite you to help me find other great places for martinis. Cheers.

If after reading this you're in the mood for a vodka martini...or a gin martini, or a snifter of scotch...then head to the Speakeasy, Wednesday, September 26, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Portland Company Warehouse (58 Fore Street in Portland)

The event is a moneymaker for Portland Music Foundation. 100% of ticket sales go to PMF. A $25 ticket gets you cocktails from Diageo -- Ciroc vodka, Tanqueray No.10 and Rangpur gins, Johnnie Walker scotch - Green, Gold and Blue, Don Julio Tequila - Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and 1942, Godiva Liqueur, Bullet Bourbon, Caol Ila Single Malt and Clynelish Single Malt. Tickets also include delicious appetizers and terrific live entertainment. Performers include Bellamy Jazz Band, singer and actress, Kelly Caufield, and Portland Ballet dancers, Alicia Pyle and Cristal Cooper. Visit portlandmusicfoundation.org for ticket information.) Look for me, I'll be the guy with the martini.