The Plain Dealer Friday! Magazine, Published December 9, 2005
Douglas Trattner

When it comes to martini lists, some bartenders choose length over substance. Not Michael Salamon, beverage manager at Boulevard Blue, 12718 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland (216-721-5500). Believing that bigger is not always better, Salamon maintains a concise list of seasonal spirits, often no larger than a dozen in scope. The Holy Pomegranate, for example, summons the flavor and spirit of the holidays. This blood-red martini artfully balances tart with sweet; Absolut Mandarin provides the structure. As a garnish, shiny pearls of pomegranate seeds rest in the bottom of the glass, unavailable for consumption until cocktail's end.