BEST MARTINI ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP?

Candidate #2

Petrossian Piano Bar, Bellagio.

A perfect spot sitting and sipping while listing to light jazz, 

classical and standards on a baby grand.

Zyr vodka.

CHASING MARTINIS - THE BEST MARTINI ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP?

I have been visiting Las Vegas for more than three decades now, 

and collecting/consuming martinis for probably half of that time.

I think I can legitimately claim some sort of "expertise" on both.

One week from today, next Friday, I will announce my selection for 

Best Martini on the Las Vegas Strip

and 

Best Strip Spot for Sipping Martinis

I've had a lot of fun over the years, and sipped a lot of martinis.

Time to pick a favorite (and annoy everyone else). For the next 

week I'll be posting shots of the finalists here on the Thumbnail Traveler

blog, as well as on our social media accounts (follow us if you haven't already!).

Below is our first contender. 

Chef Mario Battali's OTTO Pizzeria at the Venetian Hotel

Chopin Vodka.

VENICE BEACH, CA - A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT

Venice, for the uninitiated, is a part of Los Angeles even Angelenos consider a little “off”. It’s been described as a particular bit of grunge bohemian, even before those terms became popular. For our British friends, think “low-rent Blackpool” and you’ll have it.

But in truth, if you picture in your mind what “LA Beaches” looks like there’s a good chance you’ll picture Venice. It’s smelting pot of cultures, people and ideas, and probably one of the few spots you’ll encounter ganja smokers, the homeless, blue-hairs, bohemians, weightlifters and Millennials all mixing together and mixing it up for a truly unique Venice Beach culture. Oh, and quite a few tourists who contribute their monies to the local economy. 

It's where Angelenos go when we want to understand ourselves.

RUTLAND, VERMONT - THE MAPLE SHACK

You travel to learn.

On a walk through the woods a few miles outside of Rutland, Vermont, we ran across this little shed in a  clearing. any of the trees surrounding us were maple trees. This much we knew. Locals harvest the tree sap and bring bucket loads to this shack, where the sap is boiled down to become the syrup we all know and love on our morning pancakes, waffles and other sweet delicacies.

In its purest form maple syrup is a real treat, and its kinda cool to see where the process begins.

SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI, FL - BRING ON THE NIGHT

It's dusk on a typical Saturday night on South Beach's Ocean Drive. The cafes are filling, and the night clubs checking their applies of tequila, whiskey, vodka and beer for the night's celebrations.

Meanwhile the beautiful people are putting on the last touches of makeup 

or after shave in a bid to impress their peers.

It's South Beach.  On a Saturday night.