Martinis 2016: Lafayette's Absolut Best Martini

Healing House; Hope for Grieving Children annually hosts this event at the DoubleTree by Hilton to raise money for local families that have mourned the death of a parent or sibling. The money is raised through the purchase of tickets and a silent auction while partygoers sample the martinis and have tasty hors d’oeuvres. This year, the main event will take place on August 20 at 7pm.

Eight local restaurants are competing to determine who wins the 2016 title for Lafayette’s ABSOLUT® Best Martini. 

The excitement of this event is not contained to simply one night. Every Tuesday for 8 weeks during June, July and August, the public will participate in the ABSOLUT® Tini Tuesday Tour. This tour will stop at each of the local restaurants involved in the competition where supporters can cast their votes by tipping dollars as they sample artistic creations from Lafayette’s premium bartenders. Patrons of the Tini Tuesday Tour will receive a complimentary signature martini with the purchase of an entrée at each Tuesday tour spot. Martini vouchers can be printed at www.healing-house.org. Voting is your way of donating to Healing House. Vote often and as many times as you want, either at healing-house.org or at each restaurant. The participating restaurants of this year’s competition included: Bon Temps Grill, Bonefish Grill,Charley G’s, Chuy’s, Ruffino’s on the River, Social, Walk-Ons Bistreaux and Zea’s.

When it comes time to pick the winners, the People’s Choice Award will be determined by adding up the tipped votes during the tour and the dollars donated during the final event. The Judges’ Choice Award is established by a panel of judges who will sample the restaurants’ creation as well as interviewing them on the mindset behind their concoctions.

Lafayette’s ABSOLUT Best Martini Contest & Gala

Join us for Tini Tuesdays each week prior to the main event to try each participating restaurant’s martini and cast your vote!

• “Tini Tuesday Tour” Dates:

• Tuesday, June 28  Walk-Ons Bistreaux & Bar

• Tuesday, July 5 Social                                                                            

• Tuesday, July 12 Charley G’s                                                                                   

• Tuesday, July 19 Bonefish Grill  (2015 Judge’s Choice winner)                                                  

• Tuesday, July 26 Ruffino’s on the River (2015 People’s Choice Winner)                                                                

• Tuesday, August 2 Chuy’s                                                                   

• Tuesday, August 9 Bon Temps Grill                                                                        

• Tuesday, August 16 Zea

Patrons of the ‘Tini Tuesday Tour will receive a complimentary signature martini with the purchase of an entrée at each Tuesday tour spot. Martini vouchers can be printed at http://www.healing-house.org/PageDisplay.asp?p1=4015. Join us each Tuesday and cast your vote for Lafayette’s ABSOLUT Best Martini - $1=1 Vote! Voting is your way of donating to Healing House – vote often and as many times as you want either at healing-house.org or at each restaurant.

• Lafayette’s ABSOLUT Best Martini Gala: The Final Showdown

• August 20, 2016, 7:00 pm

• DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette

• Entertainment by Jet Seven

• Silent Auction, Hors d’oeuvres, Martini Sampling from all 8 Restaurants

• $125 per ticket

• All guests will receive a hand painted martini glass designed by local artist, Robert “King Rob” Harris

• Sponsors: ABSOLUT Vodka, Moss Motors, Delhomme Funeral Homes, Dr. Leslie Jacobs, Leading Health Care of Louisiana, Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital, Event Rental, Russo Group, 99.9 KTDY, & FACE

All proceeds from Martinis 2016 benefit Healing House; Hope for Grieving Children. Healing House provides grief support groups each year for over 250 Acadiana children age 4-17 that have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. Healing House is the only children’s grief center within a 150 mile radius and it provides a comfortable atmosphere where children can feel free to share any thoughts or feelings they may be dealing with in regard to the loss of a loved one. These children learn to express themselves through artistic devices, interactive play and group discussions with other kids going through the similar situations. All services are provided free of charge to the children and families in Acadiana.

For more information about Martinis 2016; Lafayette’s ABSOLUT Best Martini Contest & Gala, please see our website:http://www.healing-house.org/PageDisplay.asp?p1=4015 or contact Kim Thackston at 234-0443 or [email protected]