The people behind Beach Blanket Babylon have come up trumps with this hot spot for the beautiful people in funky Exmouth Market, serving up tasty American fare in the top floor restaurant and killer martinis in the sexy downstairs lounge.

The Venue
Decked out in bright lights with plenty of exposed brick, mirrors and swathes of red velvet, $ Grills and Martinis is as flashy as Vegas and just as fun. The upper restaurant level is packed with tables decked out with big candlesticks, and a giant blackboard surrounded by bulbs displays the fish specials from the impressive crustacean counter below. Lunch and dinner is served from an open kitchen, and the lavish interior more than makes up for the ever-so-slightly un-glam crossroads outside.

Downstairs is the martini lounge, where you can do exactly that – lounge. Cavernous nooks, leather banquettes and red lighting combine to create the kind of bar that could easily be mistaken for a set on Sex and the City.

The Atmosphere
Oh-so-cool. $ Grills and Martinis caters to plenty of large groups, which on the one hand creates a busy and buzzing atmosphere, but on the other means that it can get quite tightly packed in the restaurant with a lot of chair bumping going on. The clientele is a mixed bag but mostly professional types letting loose with a burger and cocktail. Staff can be a little stand-offish but service is quick and a smile goes a long way.

The Food
An extensive menu means there’s something for everyone. Burgers with everything, salads and steaks are cooked to perfection and served up with pride. The grilled tuna burger comes served on a wooden chopping board with a sharp knife speared through the middle of the burger and stuck into the wood - a little tricky to yank out but works well to hold the giant burger together. The tuna was cooked perfectly, with spicy red pepper salsa oozing out from the big bun and skinny fries on the side. For the super hungry, there’s a surf and turf option of a steak and a whole lobster, as well as fish specials like Dollar Fish Stew.

The desserts are just what you’d expect from an American restaurant, including baked cheesecake that’s creamy and delicious and served with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and mixed berries, and gooey hot chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream melting into it.

The Drink
Not surprisingly, the drinks menu boasts an almost bewildering selection of cocktails as well as a good selection of wine and beer. The signature martini is the delicious Porn Star, a sweet vanilla and passion fruit concoction that comes with a chaser of champagne.

The Last Word
A touch of Vegas-style glam in the corner of Exmouth Market, this is perfect for groups who want to enjoy a busy atmosphere, filling food and stunning cocktails.

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