Mid-priced establishments with excellent martinis?

The beast martini, with minor brand variations (to personal taste)

1 part Gin, preferably the Plymouth style
1 part Dry Vermouth, preferably Lillet Blanc

Stirred, never shaken (an atrocity.) Poured into a 'cocktail glass.' Express Lemon. Discard lemon.

Promise, it will make you look at the drink differently and it is as close to the original recipe, developed by Martini and Rossi as you can get. Unfortuneately, I now order these things as 'half-n-halves.' The waitron always looks at me like I'm on crack.

The loss of the vermouth can be originally attributed to Winston Churchill, who- in British Fashion- would point towards France and allow the vermouth to 'season' his London Dry Gin through the sun's brilliance.

Martini = Top shelf gin, a rumor that vermouth was in the area, and big ass olives - all well chilled!

What Mark said....I mean a chocolate Martini ...Gimme a break. It may be a good "cocktail" but it's not a Martini. Somewhere Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra are rolling over in their graves.

Martinis are just one of the many classic cocktails that they have adulterated in a multitude of ways. The only variations should be the ratio of the two ingredients and the brand of each. Even a dirty martini is pushing the limits in my opinion. Of course they're doing the same type of thing with a lot of classics these days, not only cocktails. Just look at how many variations there are now to the classic Snickers candy bar!

I am assuming Gary Gruver pours your libations,

Yes, that's the guy. Thanks Alan, I couldn't remember his name. We don't often get out that way as it's a bit of a haul from Crescent Hill, but they really have it together. Excellent food, drink and service. If I’m not mistaken I believe the GM Jim Davis is in the process of purchasing the restaurant from Cameron Mitchell.

I am assuming Gary Gruver pours your libations,

Yes, that's the guy. Thanks Alan, I couldn't remember his name. We don't often get out that way as it's a bit of a haul from Crescent Hill, but they really have it together. Excellent food, drink and service. If I’m not mistaken I believe the GM Jim Davis is in the process of purchasing the restaurant from Cameron Mitchell.

Yes I have heard that also, I met him last year at the Run for the Rose', really knows his work and very strong business minded.

60 West Bistro. And if you go Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday martini's are half price.