tini time: l.a. martinis ranked
So many factors contribute to a truly great martini. A truly great martini isn’t just about the martini itself — it’s about everything that surrounds it, too. It’s an entire vibe. And to be a truly great martini, it must check all the boxes.
Everyone’s martini standards will look a bit different based on preference, but the general “boxes” checked should be same. I’m obviously partial to my exact martini order — vodka martini, a splash dirty, shaken, with olives. So my checklist looks something like this:
☑ the glassware
Is it served in an actual martini glass? I’ll accept a coupe glass, but martini is ideal. The daintier the better, and chilled is preferred. If you try to give me a martini in anything else, all the following boxes are irrelevant because it’s already ruined.
☑ the temperature
Is it ice cold — and I mean ice cold, like I can tell it’s been shaken at least 75 times? Major points if it’s served to you with those beautiful paper-thin ice shavings skimming the top. We love to see those.
☑ the fixings
Is it perfectly made to order? There are many ways to order and garnish a martini; it’s important that the martini not only strikes a tasteful balance of ingredients but also that those garnishes are good quality. So for me, it can’t be too dirty (otherwise I’d just order a vodka + olive juice), and the olives have to actually taste good (if they’re stuffed with blue cheese or goat cheese, even better).
☑ the vibe
Is the ambiance worthy of a martini, the environment somewhere such a classy drink can be savored? Is it vibe-y, or lounge-y, or steakhouse-y, or old-school Italian, or maybe somewhere that has a raw bar? All of the above establishments will usually do the trick. But the setting for a martini is almost as important as the cocktail itself. You wouldn’t order a martini at an outdoor beach bar or a chain restaurant; even a well-made martini wouldn’t taste good there, because it doesn’t belong there. A martini encompasses the entire experience that surrounds it, and it belongs somewhere that matches its class and high-quality vibe.
I may be pickier than most when it comes to tini time. Luckily, I’ve found several spots in LA that check all the boxes and serve up a truly great martini.
Here are the rankings.
#1: r+d kitchen
This is one of my favorite places to go to dinner regardless — I love the ambiance and their crispy chicken sandwich is unmatched — but unsurprisingly R+D also has a killer martini. Honestly, any Hillstone Restaurant will deliver on a truly great martini experience. R+D is one of the few places I order a martini off the menu, because their “perfect martini” lives up to its name. Grey Goose vodka, a spritz of vermouth, and the clincher: goat cheese olives. Perfection.
#2: craig’s
Craig’s is already a great spot for rubbing elbows with celebs, but they also make a fabulous martini — one of the most well-balanced, ideal martinis I’ve had. And look at those blue cheese olives…
#3: bestia
This martini wins for most expertly shaken. You can almost feel how icy and perfectly chilled it is — it went down so smoothly and complimented Bestia’s delicious rustic Italian fare perfectly.
#4: mastro’s
Be warned: this martini will cost you upwards of $25. BUT Mastro’s gets points for doing what few others do: they give you the shaker with the remainder of your martini so you can pour your own refill. Mastro’s provides ultimate steakhouse vibes, and a well-made martini with hefty blue cheese olives. And it’s basically a two-for-one deal, which is a win in my book.
#5: dear john’s
When you see red tablecloths you know you’re in a good place. The vibes at Dear John’s — small, dark, old-school Italian steakhouse vibes — give its already solid martini a step up. Bonus: the steaks + many sides here are phenomenal.
honorable mentions
