Some people read palms; Lefko Stefanos, bartender and co-owner of the Blue Stem Martini Lounge, reads palettes. "I know what people want just by looking at them," she says as she mixes her latest fruity concoction—a strawberry banana shot. The shots at Blue Stem are served in glasses large enough to drown a whole week's worth of sorrows, and the martinis are equally epic. Blue Stem's signature drinks are made with several juices and sugary syrups. Just reading the list can cause a toothache, but they're not as sweet as they sound. The White Cosmo, for instance, is the "second sweetest drink" on the menu according to Lefko, but there's no lip puckering or eye squinting here, just smooth sipping with a hint of white cranberry juice. If you're in the mood for something edgy, try a dirty martini; the hand-stuffed blue cheese olives make this classic drink worth every penny of its $12 cost.
An evening at Blue Stem might run your credit card dry, but Lefko has been known to promote new drinks by shaking up free samples the size of triple shots. And if that's not enough to make your head spin, she'll gladly entertain you with tales of her martini-mixing adventures. Just don't ask for any recipes; her lips are sealed.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
