Manhattan of La Jolla Newsletter | September 2025
Thank you for reading!
We enjoy providing you with interesting short articles on cocktails, food and entertainment.
COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH: THE MARTINI
The martini is currently the most popular cocktail. For several years, Manhattan has received the Reader's Choice Award for the best Martini!
Although there are many variations served today, the Martini has been a fairly consistent cocktail over the years.
The origins of the cocktail, like the discussion of the Manhattan in our last newsletter, the origin of the Martini are mixed. One story has it being developed as a result of Martini and Rossi Vermouth years ago. Gin was added to the vermouth, thus the name, Martini. Another story is that the drink was an invention of a bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia at the famous Knickerbocker Hotel in New York. The gin and dry vermouth cocktail was created by Martini to serve John D Rockefeller. Another theory was that a miner from Martinez California requested a drink at a bar in Martinez after striking gold. In celebration, the bartender created a drink of gin and vermouth.
For years, the drink was a mixture of gin and sweet vermouth, but it evolved to dry vermouth, and eventually, the amount of vermouth became less.
The drink was frequently seen in the movies dating back to the Thin Man movies in the 30s. Today, vodka seems to be more requested than gin, and an endless list of variations of the cocktail are popular today.
MUSIC OF THE MONTH: MIKAN ZLATKOVICH
This Month, we are featuring Mikan Zlatkovich and his jazz trio. Mikan and his trio play on Wednesday nights at Manhattan. Born as a musical prodigy in the former Yugoslavia, Mikan started his jazz career as a teenager. His immense talents were quickly recognized. His father,a local jazz guitarist, exposed him to jazz very early on. The father and son would use old German-made Grundig reel to reel recorders to tape jazz tracks and then play them back at half speed. This allowed them t to observe and analyze in microscopic detail the delicate structure and the subtle nuances and solos of artists such as Thelonious Monk, Wes Montgomery, McCoy Tyler, Joe Pass, Chick Korea, and the legendary Oscar Peterson, to whom Mikan is often compared.
Although thriving in the Yugoslav Jazz scene, Mikan decided to move to New York for the bigger stage in the early 90s. Ten years later, he came to San Diego, where he has shared the stage with the likes of Gilbert Castellanos, Charles McPherson, Allison Adams-Tucker, Chuck McPherson, and many more.
On the piano Mikan's performances continue to thrill and excite his audiences. His musical chemistry and remarkable skills captivate and welcome his audience into his music, offering an exciting and memorable jazz experience. No two performances can ever be the same as Mikan's music constantly evolves through his never-ending search for new creative possibilities.
WINE OF THE MONTH: 2021 SWAN CLONE PINOT NOIR
Recently added to the Manhattan wine list is the 2021 Swan Clone Pi not Nair.
This is a Pinot featuring a bright and smooth old-world style organic Pinot Noir.
It is the signature wine of Voyz'n Wines, and is sold in fine restaurants in California, Las Vegas, Hawaii and New York City.
It is great by itself and softens in the glass with beautiful concentration while still staying light on its feet.
Handcrafted and aged for 20 months and extra fine-grained Francois Freres French Oak (33% new barrels), this low-intervention single vineyard Pinot Noir is velvety and rich with bright red fruit, complex aromatics and a long finish of raspberry and ripe strawberry dominating the palate.
This Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide range of fish, poultry, port, beef and pasta, perfect for the Manhattan menu.