Robusto's Martini Lounge and Wine Bar   

19271 Mack Ave
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
313-881-0100
www.clubrobustos.com/

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With 125 martinis listed in a leather bound menu, it's tough not to reign supreme as Grosse Pointe's top-notch martini lounge. Steeped in a private social club feel, Robusto's is the connoisseur's dreamland, giving picky Pointe-sters a posh place to sip cocktails and nosh to the tunes of live jazz. Lists offering four-star cognac, scotch and cigars challenge well-heeled patrons to take their tastes to new heights. Wine geeks can expect to be equally spoiled by Robusto's exclusive, sophisticated selection of fine wines from upscale vineyards. The combination of design, decor, food and drink equally shape the experience. The glowing luminance of the salt-water fish tank and the deep tones of dark leather and African mahogany walls greet customers. Punctuating the dimness, red recess lighting and custom-designed lamps cast warm radiance over martini-sippers engulfed by massive leather love seats. With the feel of a mansion's den, the room's eastern wall holds a collection of 165 cedar-lined humidors which Robusto's rents by the year. Each is adorned with a shiny personalized brass plate. Even the vodkas receive special treatment: All are strictly top-shelf and stand waiting in a cooler where they are chilled at the perfect temperature of 15 degrees below freezing. On the second level, a lone professional billiard table is available for hourly rental. The biggest challenge is sinking the balls into the leather pockets while balancing your martini; but, as they say, practice makes perfect. At the emerald granite bar, cocktail-istas, ranging in age from 21 to 80, can feel at ease with knockout drinks like the mouth-scorching bloody mary martini -- which comes stocked with gulf shrimp -- or the smooth Savannah banana martini. Whichever you chose, expect fresh juices, garnishes and deliciously overstuffed olives. -- Jessica J. Shaw