{"id":6974,"date":"2015-03-03T18:44:20","date_gmt":"2015-03-04T02:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6974"},"modified":"2015-03-03T10:46:50","modified_gmt":"2015-03-03T18:46:50","slug":"cocktail-corner-martini-time-at-holdrens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6974","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Martini Time at Holdren’s"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“The Perfect 10 Martini” at Holdrens, photo by Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Martinis are the only American invention as perfect as a sonnet.” \u2014H. L. Mencken<\/a><\/p>\n

I love Martinis<\/a>, both with\u00a0vodka and with traditional, old school gin.\u00a0\u00a0There’s something about the shape of the glass, the warmth and smoothness of the booze, the saltiness of the olives … it makes me feel like a member of the Rat Pack<\/a> or something. Very sophisticated.<\/p>\n

As Frank Sinatra<\/a> famously said to Dean Martin<\/a>,\u00a0“Let me fix you a Martini that’s pure magic.” To which Martin responded, “It may not make life’s problems disappear, but it’ll certainly reduce their size.”<\/p>\n

Ain’t that the truth!<\/p>\n

I recently had a particularly magical Martini\u00a0at Holdren’s<\/a> (512 State St., 805\/965-3363, holdrens.com\/sb<\/a>). They call it “The Perfect 10 Martini,” made with Tanqueray #10 Gin<\/a> and a splash of dry Vermouth<\/a>. Ask for the blue cheese olive garnish, it’s pure perfection. Especially during happy hour, which takes place every day from 4-6 p.m. Their $7\u00a0appetizer specials include spicy crab and artichoke dip, bruscetta and grilled Castroville artichokes. \u00a0Just don’t forget the Martini.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0Ernest Hemingway<\/a> wrote in A\u00a0Farewell to Arms<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0”I had never tasted anything so cool and clean.” “They made me feel civilized.”<\/p>\n

Quite civilized indeed. Cheers!<\/p>\n

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

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine<\/em><\/a> on February 27, 2015.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a><\/p>\n

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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