Shaken Not Stirred- Martinis & Wisconsin Vodka

On a lighter note....

OK, now to the important stuff- MARTINI'S!

Here's a couple places in Madison, WI that I like for martinis ( though they don't have most of my favorite vodka's..actually none...)

Blue Velvet Lounge (metro look, great bartenders)
http://www.thebluevelvetlounge.com/bluevelvet.html

The Ivory Room (dark piano bar-live lounge music)
http://www.ivoryroompianobar.com/

The Brink Lounge (nice atmosphere-really poor service-credit given for introducing me to Hendrick's Gin... also live bands)
http://www.thebrinklounge.com/

I'd give the Blue Velvet the nod over the other two places. The martini's are larger and I belive their Happy Hour (1/2 price) runs till 7 PM.

Wisconsin made Vodka reviews (I think I've had all the Wisconsin made ones now)
Yahara Bay- very smooth but has a noticeable apple flavor- not my cup of tea for a traditional martini- sweet
Rehorst- noticeable burn I didn't like it (Sorry- won't buy this one again)
45th Parallel- very clean, smooth taste- liked this a lot....
Death's Door- very clean, smooth taste- liked this a lot....

Effen is still my favorite, "glacial " is the best way to describe it...extremely smooth, very subtle taste. Reyka is very good too & a lot cheaper- almost as "glacial" as Effen.. Grey Goose is really very good but I'm still boycotting French products.....

Be careful of designer vodkas made in Princeton, MN- I believe it's a contract distillery owned by one of the big guys. I don't know if it's just a marketing ploy or if it's small guys taking their own recipe's in- I'd love feedback on that from anyone who knows...

Favorite gins are Hendrick's- "Industrial"
Bombay Sapphire- "Herbal"

Half & Half mixes of these are very good too!