It's certainly not the kind of place you'd expect in Woodridge, NJ. Or anywhere in NJ for that matter. But Martini Grill does reside on hilly street and I can tell you it serves up the best Martini's ANYwhere in the tri-state area. That's saying a lot since big sister - New York City - is merely miles away. How can a tiny joint so ostentaciously named shake such a bad boy Martini? Well it starts with a bad ass owner, this one's named Aret Cakir (that's French and Armenian, and yes, he's as sexy as he sounds). Aret impeccable training (French Culinary Institute) and apprenticeship (Maxine's in Paris, Le Cirque in NY) shows in his nouveau Mediterrean menu. And even more so in the cocktails. Well-aged mixologists Al and Tommy blend innovative top shelf vodkas with fresh juices and liquors into frothy fantasy martinis. Even better, they use fruits and garnishes the likes of which I've not seen anywhere except perhaps the Sonoma County rage Cyprus Restaurant . Like Scott Beattie , the bartenders at Martini Grill use the freshest, juiciest, highest quality mangos, pears, citrus, edible flowers and berries. I've seen blackberries the size of a kiwi!
The distinguishing factor between Cyprus is the use of locally grown ingredients, a practice that mixologist extraordinaire Scott Beattie vehemently endorses. How else could he come up with cocktails using opal basil or red Hawaiian sea salt or lollyberries? But since I can't hoof it over to Cyprus (located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County) anytime I've got the hankering for freshly muddled Ciparinas, I'll stick with my local Martini Grill for a Jackie O or scrumptious Peartini.
Here's the info for Martini Grill:
187 Hackensack Street
Wood Ridge, NJ 07075
Tel: 201-939-2000
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