Eats

Shaken or stirred

by Wynce Nolley

Healing House and Absolut Vodka are partnering to bring the 2012 Absolut Best Martini Tour to Lafayette's top restaurants beginning next week.

Healing House: Hope for Grieving Children is teaming up with Absolut Vodka this summer for the 2012 Absolut Best Martini Tour to the area's fine local restaurants.

The event kicks off next Tuesday, July 3, and continues every consecutive week through August 21. Eight of Lafayette's most notable restaurants have agreed to compete for the title of Lafayette's Absolut Best Martini and all proceeds from the event will go to benefit Healing House: Hope for Grieving Children.

Each Tuesday, customers are invited to that week's participating restaurant for a taste test of its signature martini and later asked to cast a vote for which restaurant they think makes the Absolut Best Martini.

Participating restaurants include Walk- On's, Charley G's, Cochon, Blue Dog Café, LaFonda, Bone Fish Grill, Marcello's  and Pamplona Tapas Bar.

It all leads up to Martinis 2012 on August 25 at the Hilton Lafayette, a gala event where guests will be asked to vote on which martini they think deserves the title of Lafayette's Absolut Best Martinti.

You can find a full schedule of the tour here. You can also call Healing House at 234-0443 for more information or to volunteer.