![\"Watermark](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Watermark-Ceiling-CU.jpg?resize=300%2C300\")
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The Watermark on Main is located in the historic 1907 Groene building on the corner of East Main and North Chestnut in downtown Ventura.\u00a0 It has been at various stages of its life an Edison office, a Bank, a Jewellery store , a clothes store, an Art Studio, and now a Restaurant and rooftop lounge.<\/p>\n
There are two things that strike you when you walk into the Watermark; the ceiling and the bar.\u00a0 The restaurant\u00a0 and bar area are open to the second floor and the ceiling looks like it’s made of beautiful hand carved wooden beams with various paintings.\u00a0 Sort of like a Nordic carved vaulted ceiling\u00a0 but with an early southwest theme.\u00a0 However the ceiling is actually formed, carved, and painted plaster!\u00a0 From a distance its almost impossible to tell that it’s not true wood.\u00a0 Very pretty and shows a lot of handiwork.<\/p>\n
The second thing is the bar top: it is made of pale yellow Onyx.\u00a0 As with all agates there are striations of various colors, mostly orange and some brown, running along the bar.\u00a0 It is back-lit and thin enough so the whole bar top looks like its glowing.\u00a0 It is impressive.\u00a0\u00a0 On the second floor walls are various friezes depicting early Camino Real from 1920s California.\u00a0 There are also numerous Art Deco touches through out, with an almost nautical feel.\u00a0 Most notably the chandeliers, hanging lamps, and sconces.<\/p>\n
I know what you’re thinking … “The Martini, get to the martini!”\u00a0 Well they are Very Good!\u00a0 The stem was well chilled in the fridge, shaken with enthusiasm, amply poured, and presented promptly.\u00a0 It was cold, clean, and nearly perfect.\u00a0 The barkeep was very helpful and knowledgeable of the various gins and Martinis.<\/p>\n
Additionally the dinner was excellent.\u00a0 The menu would be described as traditional American with an occasional ‘extra’.\u00a0 There is also live music on a regular basis, not only in the downstairs restaurant but also in the third floor rooftop lounge.<\/p>\n
I do recommend Watermark on Main, not only for their Martini but the food, history, ambiance, and overall experience.\u00a0 As for a Martini Rating, Watermark gets one stem.\u00a0 The criteria for two stems has always been: ‘Would I search out this restaurant based on the Martini alone?’\u00a0 While Watermark’s Martinis are indeed very good, they’re just not quite good enough to warrant a trip on Martini alone.<\/p>\n
For Gin Selection Watermark gets a B+. For additional information:\u00a0 www.watermarkonmain.com<\/a><\/p>\n If you like what you\u2019ve read, please subscribe.\u00a0 If not, please post a comment telling us how and why you disagree.<\/em><\/p>\n *****\u00a0\u00a0 Rating Definitions<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 ****<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Watermark on Main is located in the historic 1907 Groene building on the corner of East Main and North Chestnut in downtown Ventura.\u00a0 It has been at various stages of its life an Edison office, a Bank, a … Continue reading ![\"Martini](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shakennotstirred.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Martini-Glass-Upright1.jpg\")
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\nSelection Includes Plymouth, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Tanqueray 10, Beefeater, Hendrick’s, Nolet’s, Death Door, and Cutler’s.\u00a0 Cutler’s Gin is a local creation from Santa Barbara, CA.\u00a0 While Watermark ‘only’ has 9 different Gins, I’m giving it a B+ because of the local addition Cutler’s.<\/p>\n