Hands down Martini Mayhem is my favorite event of the year.

May 19th will be my 4th consecutive time attending. I don’t think I’ve had such good attendance to anything in my life 🙂

Let me tell you why I love this event so much!

Bottomless martinis for $40 ($50 at the door)

This pretty much explains itself. Martinis are expensive, so you can justify your drinking habit with this amazing deal!

Access to IF’s best bartenders

Martini Mayhem is a competition between participating bars to see who has the best martini in several categories. I’m convinced I need to get myself on this judge’s panel! After the judging is over the public is invited in to try the martinis. It is so much fun to see what all the different bartenders had in mind, and to try martinis that you won’t find for sale in Idaho Falls bars.

Over-all amazing event

The event is always beautiful, and well put together. I’ve never had a bad time. Afterwards, you can get dinner at The Bee’s Knees which is delicious! Then if you still have some kick in ya shimmy over to The Shilo to dance like you had at least $40 worth of martinis.

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Get your tickets at The Bee’s Knees (cash only). Hope to see you there!

The Bee’s Knees Facebook

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I have been watching Soda Tsunami since their sign went up across from the Cabela’s in Ammon. So, of course I jumped at the chance to attend their grand opening last week.

Rating: (on a 0-5 scale, 0 not so great-5 Sailing blissfully away on a sea of sugary delight)

Over-all Tastiness: 5

Atmosphere: 4

Experience:5

TASTE: When I went I got the Volcano which is a delicious flavor explosion, so I totally dig the name. The Volcano is much like an Italian cream soda with Sprite, raspberry syrup, whipped cream, and my favorite SPRINKLES! The cream mixes in with the drink, and it is all around delicious. My boyfriend got the Coconut Wave which was also delish ( Cola, coconut, and lime). We didn’t get any of the cookies, bagels, or personal pizzas but I have no doubt that they are amazing as well!

ATMOSPHERE: Soda Tsunami is really neat in the fact that it has a nice sit in area, and also has a drive thru. So, if you want a place to meet up before a movie or game S.T. has got you, and if you want to swing by while on the way to the park good ol S.T. has got you there too.

EXPERIENCE: I had a great time going to Soda Tsunami. I went on the Grand Opening, and they were BUSY! But we were helped promptly and the service was very friendly. I was referred to try the Volcano and I wasn’t disappointed. Can’t wait to go back and get my soda fix!

If you haven’t been to Soda Tsunami I encourage you to do so. Try the Volcano!

https://www.facebook.com/sodatsunami/

The Persnickety Lemon (love the name!) opened up here within the last month or so, and needless to say I was excited. It is downtown on Park avenue, so I walk past it everyday on my way to work.

This quaint market focuses on artisan products, and healthy options. I came over to bombard them on their first day of serving lunch with my boyfriend and two guy co-workers.

Rating: (on a 0-5 scale, 0 not so great-5 Why are my socks on the floor? Oh, that’s right. They were knocked right off!)

Over-all Tastiness: 5

Atmosphere: 5

Experience:5

TASTE: The sweet shop owners (Jennifer and Jed) were serving a Cowboy quinoa wrap. It was a multi-grain flatbread with a tex-mex quinoa salad which was spicy and filling. When she told us this was the option for the day I started getting ready to walk out. I thought there was no way that all these guys would eat a quinoa wrap! She gave us all a taste test, and they went ahead an ordered it. I was pleasantly surprised. This is certainly a testament to how delicious it is. Since then I have been back, and had more delicious experiences!

Everything tastes fresh, and doesn’t leave you filling gross. There is a lot of attention to detail that I appreciate. There are Gluten-free, and vegan options which is a really lovely difference here in the city of meat n taters.

ATMOSPHERE: The downstairs dining area is vintage, comfy, and eclectic. It has a neat sitting area with a sofa and coffee table that is cozy. It really is the perfect place to meet up or host an event! Check their Facebook to find out how to rent their space including the commercial kitchen.

EXPERIENCE: The owners are incredibly friendly and helpful. I’m excited to see that there are new options in downtown Idaho Falls! I hear that they will be starting classes (how to build terrariums and make artisanal cheese and such) and I can’t wait to go.

The Persnickety Lemon is a co-op. They feature locally made breads, sweets, salsas, nut milks, juices, and more. Their menu changes often, so go in to see what yummy items they are serving up!

The Persnickety Lemon

City Bagels is OPEN in Downtown Idaho Falls as of last week, and if you haven’t been you absolutely need to go! I’ve been waiting patiently ever since I saw their sign up across from Ming’s on Shoup, and was so excited to get in there.

Rating: (on a 0-5 scale, 0 not so great-5 AHMEEEEEEZING)

Over-all Tastiness: 5

Atmosphere: 5

Experience:4

TASTE: Let me tell you a little bit about the options at City Bagels… They have fresh-baked bagels. These bagels are out of this world, ok? They are soft, but chewy…*deep sigh* The everything bagel is my favorite so far! They have cookies, cupcakes, muffins, scones, and…wait for it…individual cheesecakes! So good they bring a tear to my eye.

They have an extensive drink menu with Italian sodas, coffee and espresso drinks, and a gourmet hot chocolate list. My favorite is the coconut tres leches hot chocolate. It’s delish.

ATMOSPHERE: City Bagels is so unique! It is an absolutely beautiful restaurant with wood paneling, red velvet, pretty flowers on each table, and a fantastic chandelier. They also have an upstairs eating area that lets you gaze down on it all. It’s wonderfully classy, and well put together!

EXPERIENCE: The staff is really great, nice, and helpful. Right now things are just beginning for them, so be patient as it all gets started.

I can’t scream at you from my laptop, so I will use caps to indicate the level of my enthusiasm. GO TO CITY BAGELS & BAKERY. YOU WILL LOVE IT.

City Bagel’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Bagels-Bakery/1175863225822597?fref=ts

Driving around the back of the Edward’s Movie Theater one evening my boyfriend and I spotted this little shack. Pick Me Up! I thought it might be a coffee place, so I knew I had to come back and check it out. Alas, it wasn’t a coffee hut! It was something I have actually never been to before. A specialty soda and cookie joint!

Rating: (on a 0-5 scale, 0 not so great-5 wowza)

Over-all tastiness: 4

Atmosphere: n/a

Experience: 5

My favorite part about Pick Me Up was that it was a unique experience. I have never been to a little soda and cookie shack before! They have a lot of fun flavors to try. I got the Swank (coconut, pineapple, peach!) which I would completely refer, because it is delish!! Added benefit it reminds me of Hillary Swank. Which in turn reminds me of Million Dollar Baby. So sad, but SO GOOD. None of that has anything to do with the beverage… Also, the sugar cookies are the bomb digs. I crave them now all too often.

Another great part was that the staff in there was fantastic! They were fun, sweet, and helpful!

Atmosphere wasn’t really something I could rate here, but being able to walk up grab soda and then go to the park afterwards was fun. This little gem is kind of hidden too. So, go find it! It’s almost like an adventure with the reward being sweet deliciousness at the end.

Pick Me Up’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pickmeupdrinks/