Martuni's

4 Valencia at Market

By Susan MacTavish Best

I've fallen out with you. For not having dragged me to Martunis sooner. What. Were. You. Thinking.

I have a soft spot for Martuni's that can't be roughed up no matter how cheesy the bar strikes me. You see, I had a splendid second date with J at Martuni's. And for those who haven't had a gigantic martini at Martuni's, don't fret, it's not bad cheesy.

Dark and cosy, dim lighting. Bigger than average martini glasses. A circular bar (all the better for people-watching) and a few booths (all the better for sqeezing next to your squeeze). Add in the piano player in the back room, just there, behind the curtain, the piano player who strokes the ivories with singalong tunes and I'm one happy Camper. Martunis is in that no man's land on the edge of the Castro at Valencia and Market, and is popular with the Castroish crowd.

Jenny says the chocolate martini is just too much after a few sips. Bear that in mind. Isn't it always?