Merry Christmas - marTini Tuesday!!

Merry Christmas from Engchik Eats!! Very quick as I'm having a glorious day with family- you must try the Candy Cane martini from the Fenix on Bridge street in Phoenixville.

So warm and sweet! Made from peppermint schnapps, half n half, creme de mint and Absolut Vanilla, and garnished with crisp candy canes, this is a wonderful holiday treat.

Bartender extraordinaire Freddie whipped up this glorious connection for me while my gentleman friend M enjoyed some fine German beers, as Fenix is a full service bar with a very warm vibe and a mellow atmosphere.

Try it out. And have a very merry Christmas!!!!

marTini Tuesday: The Knockout from Sullivan's Steakhouse

As we are more embroiled in the holiday season, it surely is the festive time to imbibe a bit more.

 This week we are discussing one of my all-time top favorite 3 martinis- The Knockout from Sullivan’s Steakhouse. There are several locations in the US, but I like to frequent the King of Prussia location.

 

This is Sullivan’s signature martini and it rocks. "The Knockout" is created from Smirnoff Orange Vodka infused with Hawaiian Gold pineapple and with an added orange twist.

One thing I noticed with these- this martini will indeed ‘Knock You Out’ unless you pace yourself. Once I had two of these in a row….whooooo!

 

 

Sullivan’s steeps the pineapple in the vodka, and then adds a bit of real pineapple juice. I quite enjoy the first foamy sip - it is a wonderful blend of the pineapple and a teeny bite of the vodka. It’s sweet but not sugary so, it’s really refreshing.

This is a good drink to try with your steak or your oysters, not overpowering or deemed ‘girlie’ it will please the palate and ‘knockout’ your stress!

 

 

 

marTini Tuesday- the 'RennieTini' at the Circle Tavern, Avalon, NJ

A few weeks ago I headed down to Avalon to check out the island and make sure all is well after Hurricane Sandy swept in. The hurricane definitely caused some damage, but luckily, the town is bouncing back. I had to stop in and get a BLT from one of my favorite establishments that stays open ALL YEAR ROUND! The Seven Mile Island Deli, owned by Josh, a good friend of mine, has the best sandwiches and soups on the island!



Road to Sea Isle washed away, en route to Townsend’s Inlet Bridge

There is currently a lot of construction going on for those that have damaged homes or businesses on 7 mile island.
 

The OMB (Old Moldy Barnacle -dubbed by B) which is currently not liveable due to flood damage.

I also wanted to check on my favorite hotel- the Windrift. This hotel, recently redone and with new renovated sections included a glorious heated pool, hot tub, a restaurant with live music and some of the most gorgeous and comfortable rooms on the island! Luckily, all was well so when I go back in the summer I will be staying over again.

I stayed with my good friend Lor and we headed off to our favorite place for martinis: the Circle Tavern. We love LUV the Princeton (or the P, as the locals call it) on 21st and Dune Drive but in the off-season only the Circle is open. The block is home to the Circle Tavern, the Princeton, and the Rock Room during the summer.

Luckily, one of our favorite bartenders was there, John Rennie. How perfect that he was there on a Tini Tuesday, as were we! He is excellent at making martinis, so when Lor and I strolled in, he knew to whip up his special RennieTini for us ladies. Lor decided to call his dirty martinis RennieTinis over the summer and the name just stuck for us.

The RennieTini is a super dirty martini, consisting of Grey Goose vodka, dry vermouth, and lots of olive juice and extra olives- I like it very, very dirty!

Ice cold dirty martini, the RennieTini, at the Circle, Avalon, NJ

To accompany our drinks that night, we decided on the steamers of the day, with garlic and lemon, and a hint of spices- and just so amazingly good. Seafood at the seashore with some very dirty RennieTinis - yes, please!

The island is still in repair, as all the Jersey shore points (and other places too) are, so if you get a moment, go to your favorite shore place and make it a point to see your beach buddies and visit some of your favorite establishments (if they are open). Every little bit helps to going towards rebuilding. Many people still need help.

People in line for food and supplies after Hurricane Sandy November 2012 Atlantic County

ALSO- Don't miss the 12/12/12 Concert for Sandy relief- an amazing line-up of talented musicans supporting the need to rebuild! Hear from Jersey's own Jon Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Water and so many others! It will be televised on many channels on Wednesday December 12.

marTini Tuesday: Movie Tavern's Vampire's Kiss

So I recently went to the Movie Tavern...

....wait WHAT?! You aren't familiar with the Movie Tavern- it's a movie theatre with giant cushy seats...and they BRING YOU FOOD...AND DRINKS...AND MARTINIS!! And the movie tickets are lower cost than other theatres in the area.

Forgive my caps, dear readers, it's just that I love the whole experience here. I like to go to the Philly-area Movie Tavern, located in Providence Town Center in Collegeville, PA.

The food is along of the lines of fast-service pub, with sliders, nachos, salads, dessert (ice cream, cake, pie), as well as the usual movie theatre fare: popcorn, candy, pretzels, soda. You push a button on your little slide-out table and they bring you food and beverages. It is amazing that they offer drinks, and one of the caveats of the Movie Tavern is it is for 16 and over, and you must be accompanied by an adult if you are under 16, so it is quite family friendly. And of course, only 21+ can order alcoholic beverages of all kinds: beer, wine, margaritas, and martinis!

It really is a cool concept, the in-theatre dining experience. Go early, you order your food, and they bring it out right at the start of the film, as not to disturb you walking back and forth in front of the screen during the movie. (GO EARLY!)

Which brings me back to my martini of the week: The Vampire's Kiss.

This specialty drink has been created just for the launch of the Twilight movies, as the last segment of the movie franchise is currently out.

And so, I have to say, that if this drink caters to the vampire in all of us, then sign me up!

Movie Tavern's Vampire Kiss martini (Photo by Jenny Richards)

Begin with splash of simple syrup, lemon sour, and a plethora of crushed blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Add some ice and an ounce of smooth Ketel One vodka and shake. Then, add the always cool and not-used-oft-enough St. Germain Elderflower, and bold-n-sweet Grand Marnier.

Strain into a chilled martini glass, and enjoy eternal sparkly life...oh wait, heavens no, vampires don't sparkle, just really enjoy this sweet, juicy martini!

 
Ingredients:
Movie Tavern
Vampire's Kiss Martini

1 oz Ketel One Vodka
¾ oz St. Germain Elderflower
½ oz Grand Marnier
½ oz Simple Syrup
¼ oz House Lemon Sour
2 blackberries
3 raspberries


(Special thanks to Kristen Wheaton of Movie Tavern for this delectable recipe.)