'Martini Madness' Sets in at Bethesda Row Restaurants

Mention "March Madness" in a Bethesda Row restaurant this month and you're talking more than an annual college basketball tourney - it's also about Martinis.

"March Martini Madness" is now underway, a month-long competition among Bethesda Row restaurants vying for the title of best "row-tini." While the games play on the big screen, patrons can sample the cocktail competition--at happy hour prices--then vote for their favorite on Facebook.

While voting, participants can also register to win dinner (for 10 guests) at one of the participating restaurants, and sign up to get a recipe booklet on how to make any of the special martinis at home.

Participating restaurants and their original martini entries include American Tap Room's "Midnight Spresso;" Assaggi's "Cactus Pear Rowtini;" Café Deluxe's "French Martini;" Jaleo's "Sidra del Silencio;" Lebanese Taverna's "Pisco Eden;" Mon Ami Gabi's "Hoya Highball;" Mussel Bar's "Pink Grapefruit Blossom;" Raku's "Ginger Asian Pear Martini;" Redwood's "Salute the Sun;" and Vapiano's "White Pomegranate Cosmopolitan."

May the best "row-tini" win! 

Diners can vote for the best "row-tini" once a day on Facebook through the end of March at www.BethesdaRow.com. The winner of dinner for 10 will be randomly drawn from all entries, and will be emailed directly and announced on Facebook by April 5, 2012.