VoVina Shakes Up A Martini in Honor of Seattle Cocktail Week

THE MUCH anticipated, slightly delayed and just a little disorganized Seattle Cocktail Week is finally upon us. Cocktail-focused bars around the Puget Sound are featuring and discounting various libations from October 27-30. The event is meant to “celebrate Seattle’s immense and varied bar culture” according to the official Facebook page.

Not surprisingly, most of the festivities and participants are located across the pond in Seattle. However, nine locations within Bellevue and Kirkland signed up, including , , and .

“We just wanted to get the Eastside included this year and get a little promo for the bars over here that are cocktail focused,” says John Ueding, bar manager at Trellis.

MOST LOCALS are very familiar with at least three of the locations as they all have high visibility. But, VoVina is a bit less obvious, tucked away in Lakeshore Plaza. It is also the only participant that is not predominantly a restaurant, though food is served.

Owner Jaymie Jones opened VoVina, a bar focused on vodka and wine, on St. Patrick’s Day, 2009. VoVina’s mission is to provide locals with a cozy atmosphere in which to enjoy a glass of fine wine or specialty cocktail.

“We pride ourselves on our over-the-top customer service, with delicious food and amazing drinks,” says Jones. “Our customers are the over-35 crowd who have discriminating tastes and expect excellent service.”

One can sit next to the fireplace while taking in the view across Lake Washington through Marina Park. Jones loves seeing the water every day and claims that the only negative aspect to VoVina’s location is that the building is currently undergoing a complete renovation.

“But, it is going to be beautiful and an attractive destination when it is finished,” Jones states.

The location is certainly one that is either stumbled upon or perhaps revealed by a friend, making one feel like a special place has been found. But, location isn’t the only thing that makes VoVina a find.

In addition to wine and cocktails, the bar offers a generous selection of Absinthe -- the infamous green-fairy inducing spirit most often associated with Hemingway in Paris. VoVina serves it in cocktails and also the traditional way, at the table in a handcrafted fountain.

Jones says that VoVina’s unique approach is to offer a tasting of any wine or spirit, served by the glass, in order to give customers the opportunity to branch out, trying new selections while limiting the investment. And while you’re trying something new to drink, don’t forget to sample one of VoVina’s fresh, made-from-scratch small plates, apps, pastas or cheese plates. Housemade truffles and chocolate covered strawberries are sure to please any after dinner sweet tooth.

In honor of Seattle Cocktail Week, VoVina's featured cocktail is “The Fallen,” made from seasonally appropriate pear and ginger vodkas, pear juice, simple syrup and fresh sage.

WHY NOT make it a night? Kirkland has such a small, walkable downtown, it only makes sense to support the other cocktail-focused bars during this promotion.

Trellis is discounting the Porto Club Cocktail down to a steal at $6. Ask for the Seattle Cocktail Week special at Milagro Cantina and receive $1.50 off any of the fabulous newly revised cocteles -- like the muddled Banana Margarita or the Margarita on a Margarita (a scoop of tequila infused sorbet in a house margarita). Hector’s is also participating, though details have not been released at this time.

Cheers to all the spirit loving folks this weekend and don't forget to take a cab.