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VAN GOGHZ
MARTINI BAR & BISTRO
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By Christine Imbs
Searching for a place to wind down after work or to just chill with friends? Then look no farther than Van Goghz Martini Bar and Bistro.
“Cocktails and canvasses have collided,” says owner Ginger Austin laughing. “Really, we’ve got something great going on here. Go ahead and see what the others have to offer, but then check out Van Goghz. I think you’ll really enjoy it.”
 Ginger Austin, owner |
| Jennifer Fuller, bartender |
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If you’re a fan of Vincent and of the premium vodka that bears his name, then no doubt you’ll agree. Housed in three storefronts at the corner of Shenandoah and Compton, in the Tower Grove East neighborhood, Van Goghz is a tribute to both. Canvasses depicting various aspects of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and “Café Terrace” adorn the walls. And of course, there’s a wonderful caricature of the master painter himself. Then there are the martinis.
“All of our premium martinis are made with Vincent Van Gogh Vodka. Thus the name,” says Austin. “I just added the ‘z’ to be different.”
Also different is the selection of martinis. You can get everything from an Almond Joy to a Dirty Birdy. All range in price from $5.50 to $8.50 with the premium martinis at the top of the scale. Customer favorites include the Lemon Drop Martini and the Blue Hawaii made with Smirnoff Vodka, Malibu Rum, Blue Caraco and pineapple juice. Either will cost you $5.50. The Midnight Express for $7 also has its fans and is made with Smirnoff Vodka, espresso and Kahlua. And on the premium side customers love the Pineapple Cosmo made with Van Gogh pineapple and white cranberry, Triple Sec and a splash of lime.
Not a martini lover? There’s also a selection of 16 wines ranging in price from $17 to $31 per bottle. Twelve are available by the glass for $5.75 to $7.50. And there’s a nice selection of beer ranging from the standard Bud products to Schlafly and Heineken.
Although the martinis are a big draw, the food is fast becoming an attraction in itself. The menu contains a variety of light tapas, appetizers and desserts. It’s also in a sense still under development.
“We’ve only been open since March so we are still trying out various things to see what our customers like best,” Austin explains. “We started out with tapas and so far, these are without a doubt the favorites.”
There are currently eight tapas plates to choose from including Panang shrimp, coconut shrimp, Portobello puffs, feta cheese and sun-dried tomato triangles, crab cakes, mini
vegetable spring rolls and chicken quesadilla trumpets. A big favorite is the Kalamata olives and artichoke tarts. All of the tapas are served four per plate and you can choose any two for $11 or any three for $13. Appetizers are rather standard and include toasted ravioli, cheese sticks and jalapeno poppers. You can choose any three for $11.
Also standard menu fare is the popular Triple Chocolate Cake for $4.50 and a sampling of Hank’s cheese cakes, specifically Key Lime, Tiramisu, Black Forest, and Irish Cream. You can happily chow down on any of these for $4. And as with all the menu items, tax is included in the price.
Austin says more items will be added to the menu as time goes on. In the meantime, her customers seem quite content just to hang out, sip martinis and munch on the tapas. It’s a tribute not only to the quality of the refreshments, but to the atmosphere that is distinctively Van Goghz.
“People honestly love the atmosphere here,” Austin says. “It’s very trendy. And it’s conversational, but at the same time there’s some great music. And that’s something I’m considering for the future, having live jazz. It’s something I’ve been told was popular years ago, but vanished. Maybe it’s time to bring it back.”
TalkingPOINTS
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Van Goghz
Martini Bar and Bistro
3200 Shenandoah
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 865-3345
Tuesday – Thursday: 4– 11 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 4 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday |
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