Top Sonoma Valley Restaurants/Bartenders Vie to Create Best New Martini

Saddles Restaurant at MacArthur Place will host the Sonoma Valley Olive Season’s ever-popular Martini Madness event on Friday, January 13 from 5 to 7 p.m., sponsored by Skyy Vodka. Visitors and locals can see master martini makers in action, sample their creations and vote for the best-mixed martini.  

Bartenders from Sonoma Valley’s top restaurants and bars will present their best martini blends at this olive-inspired affair that also includes live music and delicious appetizers. Participating restaurants and bars include: Saddles Steakhouse, the girl & the fig, El Dorado Kitchen, Maya Restaurant, ESTATE, Sonoma Meritâge Martini Oyster Bar & Grill, Santé Restaurant at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Mary’s Pizza Shack and Murphy’s Irish Pub.

Saddles Steakhouse at MacArthur Place Inn & Spa is located at 29 East MacArthur Street in Sonoma.

Martini Package tickets are $40 per person ($45 at the door if available); Dinner Package tickets are $85 and include Martini Madness plus a three-course dinner at Saddles (excludes gratuity).

Also available is the Martini Madness MacArthur Place lodging package, which offers overnight accommodations at the hotel for $199 for a Guestroom or $299 for a Suite. (Room tax and Martini Madness tickets not included).

To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.olivefestival.com. Tickets are also available online at www.macarthurplace.com. Click on the Dining tab.

Season of the Olive favorites slated to return this season include the highly-anticipated Feast of the Olive Dinner on January 28 at Ramekins Culinary School. This multi-course, olive-inspired ceremonial dinner prepared by Sonoma Valley’s finest chefs, is one of the Season’s anchor events and is a food-lover’s paradise. Then, from February 17-20, the Season of the Olive will culminate with the Olive Season Finale Weekend, a magnificent celebration of special events, dinners and tastings, including VinOlivo, an evening epicurean showcase that includes live entertainment and the Sonoma Valley Marketplace; and Olive Odyssey, a two-day affair held at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, where olive expert Don Landis and olive curers from all over California convene to offer samples, recipes, lessons and delicious olive-themed food and wine pairings.

For a comprehensive calendar of Season of the Olive events, visit the official website at www.olivefestival.com.