Question of the Day - 04 August 2006

Thanks to everyone who wrote in with the following:

• "My husband and I love to finish the night playing video poker at the Fontana Bar at Bellagio. We both love the Cosmopolitans they make, using only premium liquor. And I’ve had my share of straight-up Bombay Sapphire martinis, served very dry, very cold, and with excellent olives. Mmmm." (Debbie)

• "Had to respond to your martini survey. There's nothing that says ‘Vegas’ more than drinking a great martini while losing your life savings. Anyway -- my top three martinis: Ketel One with olives at the Baccarat Bar at Bellagio (served so chilled there were itty-bitty ice slivers); Ketel One with olives at the bar at Postrio in the Venetian (the bar's so gorgeous and the martini so good, I didn't care how much money I'd just lost); and the eponymous Red Square Martini at Red Square (which, if my pickled memory serves, includes vodka and sweet vermouth with a bleu cheese stuffed olive. Who needs dinner?)" (cearhart)

• "Ah Yes ... Bethany and I could have a great time in ‘The City.’ I second her suggestion of the Eiffel Tower Room. We visit once or twice a year to Las Vegas and always stop for a Beefeater, straight-up extra-dry martini with olives. Only one is required! This usually develops into us staying for dinner, which is also quite special. Not quite as good as Picasso, but with the martini and the great atmosphere a very nice evening. So far, this is my favorite stop for a special martini. (Greg)

• "By 'martini' do you mean a true martini (or even a vodka martini) or do you mean a modern frilly cocktail served in a martini glass (like a Cosmo or hundreds of other drinks)? For a vodka martini, the hands-down winner for me is Red Square, but you’ve already mentioned that. My preferred martini is a Tanqueray 10 or perhaps Bombay Sapphire, up, with a twist. For this, there are a few good options. If you can get to the Diamond Lounge at Bally's, the bartenders there do a very good job (and one of them, David, is a young martini connoisseur himself). Although not the first place you might think of, Burger Bar at Mandalay Place makes a good martini. I spent an afternoon there drinking martinis and discussing martini etiquette with the bartenders. I-Bar at the Rio is a good place for martinis, when they're not busy.

  "If you’re looking for a modern-flavored take on a martini, the clubs run by the Light Group have some good and creative martinis. The cucumber martini at Stack is surprisingly refreshing." (Mark)

• "Try the 'Red Square' at Red Square. It's made with a touch of sweet vermouth and blue cheese stuffed olive ... smoothest martini on the planet!" (A. McCluney)

• "For me and my martini-loving friends, the martini must have olives stuffed with bleu cheese, made with Tanqueray 10 gin. The best we've found so far is at Smith and Wollensky's. It's delicious, and it's a generous pour (on more than one occasion it was a little too generous ... )." (J. McDan)

• "I'm a great fan of vodka marties, preferably with several blue cheese olives. My only visit to the observatory floor atop 'Stupak's Folly’ (Stratosphere Tower) was occasioned by a $5 coupon that gained me both admission and a free martini. Said martini was served in a large-sized and brimming glass. Maybe the non-pressurized elevation had something to do with it, but after I leisurely finished half the drink, my wife had to help me to the elevator and a coffee stop before the drive home." (Richard Weil)

• "The best martini served to the casino floor players is at Bellagio. Not only smooth fine taste, but (last May visit) served in a classic martini glass, nicely chilled. The worst martini was at the Flamingo." (burgeo719)

• "Never mind the Martini Ranch at Texas Station. In the same casino, some of the best martinis in town are to be found at the A Bar