Martini Madness

The best things in life come in martini glasses.

That is the valuable, out-of-the-classroom lesson I learned last Friday when my roommates who graduated this May came back in town for the University of Dayton’s annual Alumni Weekend to, in one of my friend’s words, “relive the glory days of one month ago.”

After bouncing around ideas on how to start our weekend off right, we quickly agreed upon catching some drinks and food at Bar Louie, 4492 Glengarry Dr., in the Greene Town Center. Much to my surprise, this “casually cool” bar and restaurant offers a “Happy Hour with Louie” from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.  How have I missed this amazing offer for the past four years?!? Have I been living in a cave?! I couldn’t have been more disappointed in myself.  The sweet happy hour deals include $3 drafts, $5 martinis, $4 glasses of wine and select half price appetizers.

I wanted to make sure I made up for tragically wasted years without this happy hour in my life, and studied the menu extensively before making a decision.

The first solid choice of my night was ordering the Pom Peche martini. The magical bartenders mix absolut apeach, pomegranate syrup, mango purée, orange juice and Sprite together to make this fabulously fresh drink. My martini, served with an orange slice on the side, was sweet, summery and sophisticated.

These drinks were hard to turn down, though, and will be on my list for my next happy hour adventure:

-Diva, made with SKYY Pineapple, PAMA Liqueur, pomegranate syrup, pineapple juice and pineapple;

-Effen Good (I want to order this just so I can say “Give me the Effen Good one.”), a mix of Effen Cucumber, mint, fresh lime juice, cucumber and agave nectar; and

-The Abbey, made with Hendrick’s, fresh grapefruit and lemon juices, pure cane syrup, grenadine, and lemon twist.

While enjoying my drink and feeling young and hip amongst young professionals sitting at nearby tables, appetizers were served. Three of my friends decided to try the bruschetta pomodoro, and were kind enough to share with me. Probably because I couldn’t stop staring — This was the most beautifully arranged hors d’oeuvre I have ever seen.

Served in a giant martini glass, the grilled country pieces of bread are topped with a generous amount of garlic, tomato, oil, basil and parmesan. I’ve studied abroad in Rome and enjoyed tons of delicious Italian plates, and Bar Louie’s bruschetta is still TOP of the line on my list.

My friends Kim and Anna shared their half-price bruschetta pomodoro appetizer with me. It was stunning, unique and tasty -- Everything I could ever ask for in an hors d'oeuvre.

This appetizer doesn’t survive on good looks alone, though. It has a unique taste and decent price (normally $6.99; $3.50 during happy hours) to back it up, and is by itself a perfectly satisfying meal.

Bar Louie’s daily hours are from 11 to 2 a.m. You’ll feel classy in this restaurant and bar, full of contemporary photography, mosaic tiling, modern lighting and several plasma TVs. The menu, offering appetizers, pastas and entrees, along with beers, cocktails, microbrews, and wines by the glass and bottle, is worth checking out.

If you are looking to wind down after a tough day at work, or just want to start your weekend with a drink and meal with some good friends, stop into Louie’s between 4 and 7 p.m. for three hours of pure happiness.