At the iconic Musso & Frank Grill, renowned for its martinis, the author recounts their initiation into martini drinking in 2019. Overwhelmed by the ambiance and the skill of bartender Ruben Rueda, the experience shifted their identity from a cocktail generalist to a dedicated martini enthusiast. The olfactory memories of sizzling meat and the visual of the cocktail's preparation emphasize the restaurant’s rich history and the personal significance of this first sip, transforming a simple drink into a ritual of appreciation and sensory delight.
"My conversion happened at the cusp of the restaurant's 100th birthday, in early 2019... Before that baptism, I would have considered myself a cocktail generalist."
"Customers occupied every table... the air smelled of sizzling meat. Rueda stirred to an even rhythm, the ice clinking and swirling in his mixing pitcher."
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