Smoking Gun takes the 'Best Martini in 'Burbs' title
After nearly 8,000 votes were cast and the judges sipped samples, the Daily Herald named Smoking Gun the “Best Martini in the ‘Burbs” Monday night.
The first place winner was created by David Olinger from the Martini Room in Elgin, while Brittany Colatorti of Cucina Bella in Algonquin came in second, and Andrea Martino of the Village Tavern & Grill in Carol Stream landed in third place.
The top 12 mixologists and bartenders made their martinis and presented them to the panel of judges Monday night at Old Crow Smokehouse in Schaumburg.
The winner received bragging rights as well as a $500 debit card and a $1,000 digital advertising package for their restaurant on dailyherald.com.
The field started with 39 martini candidates. Online voting narrowed it down to a top 12, which were:
• Espresso Martini, Ursula Maciejewski, All Inn in Morton Grove
• Sugar Plum Martini, Anelia Stoyanova, Black Steer Charhouse in Elk Grove Village
• Razberry Eclipse, Myles Miller, Chicago Prime Steakhouse in Schaumburg
• Nutella Tini, Brittany Colatorti, Cucina Bella in Algonquin
• White Geisha, Julian Rodell, e+o Food and Drink in Mount Prospect
• The Perfect Peach Palmer, Connor Burke, Grillhouse by David Burke in Schaumburg
• Elvis' Lunch, Christopher Rolph, Hopvine Brewing Company in Aurora
• Smoking Gun, David Olinger, Martini Room in Elgin
• Almond Biscotti Martini, Kim Prafke, Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria in Schaumburg
• Pumpkin Spice Martini, Brooke Moreano, Old Crow Smokehouse in Schaumburg
• Tropical Tranquility, Margo Diduch, Sam's of Arlington in Arlington Heights
• Sangria Tini, Andrea Martino, Village Tavern & Grill of Carol Stream.