{"id":5315,"date":"2013-07-01T20:16:28","date_gmt":"2013-07-02T03:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=5315"},"modified":"2014-02-20T18:24:32","modified_gmt":"2014-02-21T02:24:32","slug":"cocktail-corner-cajun-martini-at-the-palace-grill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=5315","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Cajun Martini at the Palace Grill"},"content":{"rendered":"

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! \u00a0By Leslie Dinaberg<\/b><\/h4>\n
\"Cajun<\/a>

Cajun Martini at the Palace Grill in Santa Barbara<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s always Mardi Gras<\/a> at the Palace Grill<\/a><\/strong> (8 E. Cota St., 805\/963-5000), the closest you can get to New Orleans while staying in Santa Barbara. With Mardi Gras coming up on Tuesday, I’ll be getting into the spirit of things here in town with one of my favorite cocktails: “The World Famous Palace Cajun Martini.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first thing you need to know is that this puppy is strong.<\/p>\n

Seriously strong. This is not a cocktail for wimps.<\/p>\n

There’s a good reason why the Palace limits guests to just one Cajun Martini. Trust me, one is more than enough!\u00a0 The vodka is chilled and marinated in the freezer with fresh Jalape\u00f1os and a kiss of Vermouth. Spicy hot, ice cold and strong, it’s a perfect accompaniment for the Cajun Crawfish Popcorn<\/strong>, which is so delicious that just typing those words makes my mouth water.<\/p>\n

It’s served in a Mason jar, over ice, with a Martini glass and cherry peppers, so you can pour your own and pace yourself.<\/p>\n

The food at the Palace has been consistently fabulous since they opened back in 1985. I’ve never had a bad meal there, and since I discovered the Cajun Martini, I’ve also never failed to order it.<\/p>\n

\"Louisiana<\/a>

Louisiana Bread Pudding Souffl\u00e9 at the Palace Grill (courtesy photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

If Martinis are not your thing, I hear from reliable sources that the Palace Caribbean Rum Punch<\/strong> is also very tasty.<\/p>\n

The other thing I never fail to order at the Palace is the Louisiana Bread Pudding Souffl\u00e9<\/strong>. I don’t normally bother with desserts that aren’t chocolate, but this tasty blend of souffl\u00e9 and bread pudding, laced with Grand Marnier and raisins, and served piping hot with whiskey cream sauce is amazing.\u00a0 Trust me, this is one dessert that’s well worth the calories.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t fret if you can’t make it to the Mardi Gras celebration this Tuesday. The Palace celebrates Fat Tuesday every Tuesday night with the lively accordion sounds of Michael Guttin<\/strong>\u00a0and Mardi Gras beads for all (ask anyone who’s ever visited New Orleans what you usually have to do to get those).<\/p>\n

P.S: If you do end up overindulging in Cajun Martinis, we’ve got four Cajun Kitchens<\/a> in town with homemade biscuits and delicious country breakfasts to soak up that well-earned hangover. Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in\u00a0Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>\u00a0on February 8, 2013.<\/p>\n

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