Martinis: Some Opinions

The martini has been described as “the King of Cocktails”. Bernard DeVoto remarked “[The martini] ... is the supreme American gift to world culture”,  and Nikita Kruschev called the martini “ . . . America’s lethal weapon”.   I will just say "Yes".

Cipriani Dolci, Grand Central Station, New York City

First my apologies for not posting for so long.  The last year was hectic and, unfortunately, I was required to place my work before writing . . . and martinis.

That being said, I had the pleasure of grabbing a martini this week at Cipriani Dolci, a small restaurant located on the west balcony level of Grand Central Terminal in the city.  Cipriani Dolci describes itself as follows:

Opened in March of 2002, Dolci has fast created its very own Cipriani "scene" thanks to its chic ambience, attentive service and well-priced Venetian menu . . .  Featuring a dramatic design by Arturo di Modica (sculptor of the Wall Street Bull), Cipriani Dolci® blends gracefully into the landmarked beauty of the magnificently restored Grand Central Terminal.

It was 8pm and the hustle and bustle of the city was just beginning to slow.  Countless people were making their way home after a long day.  A good friend and I, having missed our respective trains home, decided to spend the time awaiting the next train with a quick drink.  From Cipriani Dolci, one oversees the main area of Grand Central Terminal and can spend immeasurable time people watching and staring at the restored constellations on the tremendous ceiling.  The scene at Cipriani Dolci is surprisingly loud, with patrons not only competing with others, but with the public address system at Grand Central, to be heard.

Notwithstanding the chaotic scene, service was indeed prompt and attentive.  I ordered my martini and within a minute a still bubble- and ice crystal- filled, incredibly cold drink with frosted glass arrived. My martini was clearly well shaken and fresh.  The vodka was full-strength.  The olives were especially tasty and were fresh, firm and unpitted.

As announcements of trains arriving and departing continued, I found myself sipping my drink, wondering how many people before me had sat in my very seat taking in the frenetic daily lives of New Yorkers.  But alas, the scene ended too quickly as I found my glass empty - the martinis at Cipriani Dolci, while excellently made, are remarkably average in size.

Cipriani Dolci, I give your martini a 9.5 out of 10 (a larger portion would have warranted a 10), but I give your location an 11.  I will be back.  My only regret is that I don't commute to and from the city as often as I used to.

Harry’s Café, One Hanover Square, New York City

Among the towering edifices representing the most masculine of financial expression, is a small colonial era building in Hanover Square, known as the India House Building, the basement of which houses Harry’s Café.  The building conjures thoughts of the early settlement of Manhattan and is an architectural gem.  The interior of the establishment is decorated in colonial fashion and causes one to harken back to early America.

Harry's was founded in 1972 and quickly became a Wall Street institution, being immortalized in novels such as Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities as well as Brett Easton Ellis's American Psycho.

Harry’s also makes one of the best martinis in Manhattan.

Our waitress was very prompt, attentive to our needs, and responsive.  Within minutes of entering, I was presented with an outstanding, generously proportioned martini.  It had been vigorously shaken, as was evidenced by the plethora or ice crystals still swirling in the glass.  The glass itself was frosty, and the olives were tasty and still exhibited the firmness I associate with freshness.  Unlike many establishments in the area, this martini was “full strength”, e.g., had not been watered down.

If you are in lower Manhattan, I highly suggest Harry’s and give their martini a 10 out of 10.  Outstanding.

The Fountain of Youth?

As I was reading through my online New York Times today, I stumbled across an article of perhaps incalculable importance.  This article may serve to revolutionize the way readers come to regard this blog.  Please read the article presented below carefully, as the implications are far-reaching and profound.  Could it be that I have accidentally stumbled upon the "Fountain of Youth"?  Potentially, yes.  And if I am wrong?  Who cares. 
 

Prevention: Beer and Martinis: As Healthy as Wine?

By NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Published: December 26, 2011

Many studies have found an association between the moderate consumption of alcohol and increased longevity, and some have found evidence that wine has a more beneficial effect than other alcoholic drinks.

Now an analysis in the January issue of The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that martinis [emphasis added] and beer may be just as effective at extending life. Wine may have appeared to be better only because the people who choose it are generally healthier.
Researchers studied 802 men and women ages 55 to 65: 281 low-wine drinkers who consumed less than one-third of their alcohol as wine, 176 high-wine drinkers who consumed two-thirds or more as wine, and 345 abstainers. The drinkers had one to two drinks per day, and researchers followed them for 20 years.

Wine drinkers lived longer than abstainers, and high-wine drinkers longer than low-wine drinkers. But compared with high-wine drinkers, low-wine drinkers were more likely to be older men, to be less active physically, to smoke and to be of lower socioeconomic status. After controlling for these factors, the difference between the two groups of moderate drinkers disappeared.

The lead author, Charles Holahan, a psychologist at the University of Texas, said there may be benefits for older moderate drinkers no matter what kind of alcohol they consume. Still, he added, “The study does not encourage initiating wine consumption as a pathway to better health.”

Smith & Wollesnky, 49th Street and Third Avenue, New York, New York

On December 5, 2011, I met an old friend for dinner and drinks at the world renowned Smith & Wollensky restaurant.  We actually started our evening in the ground level bar.  S&W was a favorite haunt of mine, my colleagues, and my clients years ago, but has been has been a less frequented watering hole over the last four or five years for reasons that I cannot for the life of me remember.

The bar, today as in the past, is crowded, loud, well stocked, and reminiscent of great "manly" steakhouse bars.

After fighting our way to the bar, which is a prerequisite for even placing a drink order, I ordered my usual.

The bartender, a fixture at this location that I immediately recognized from years past, did an outstanding job of chilling the glass and chilling the vodka to an incredibly cold temperature.  The shaking was quick and less than my expectation.  That being said, the martini arrived with abundant ice crystals, a true spanish olive, and a surprising number of tiny air bubble still suspended in the mixture.

Although one generally spills up to a quarter of one's drink moving away from the S&W bar with a drink, I managed to salvage the vast bulk of my drink.   My cocktail was generously proportioned, refreshing, and tasty.  An excellent cocktail expertly prepared in spite of the limited shaking.

S&W, I give your martini a 9.5 out of 10.  Keep up the good work.  I will back and promise not to be a stranger.

LinkedIn's Greatest Contribution

The following is a poll found on LinkedIn on November 28, 2011.  The data is invaluable.  Ladies, Gentlemen, keep up the good work and carry on.  Fascinating.

Ristorante Saraceno, Boston's North End

Last weekend, my family and I headed to Boston for a quick break before the frenzy of the school year dominates our lives.  During our visit, we made our way to Boston's North End, a mecca of high quality traditional Italian food, to a restaurant named Ristorante Saraceno.  The facility itself, located in what appears to be a hodge-podge of two (or three?) adjacent, but non-connected, buildings, is unimpressive, but the food is very good.

As usual, I took the opportunity to order my signature martini.  I had great expectations.  While the food impressed, the martini did not.   It arrived somewhat cold and maybe shaken, and the vodka had been watered down to what I can only describe as "essence of vodka", it was there, but almost imperceptibly. 

Well, live and learn.  I give the martini at Ristorante Saraceno a 2 of 10.  Unfortunately, my worst rating to date.