Clydz in New Brunswick

(Credit: Adam Mandelbaum)

From the outside, Clydz, a martini bar and restaurant on Patterson Street in New Brunswick, seems to be just an average bar. It's in a quiet area, away from hectic George Street, with just a simple green awning marking its existence.

But once you descend the rose petal-covered steps leading down to the entrance, it becomes apparent that this is no ordinary place.

As Clydz owner and operator Mike Parla said of the rose petals, "It's the prologue to a special experience."

Customers who come to Clydz are in for a unique night. Clydz is known for its upscale, exotic food; the kitchen regularly serves up such uncommon types of meat as kangaroo, zebra, emu, ostrich, rattlesnake and bison.

And if that weren't enough to make it stand out, Clydz also is famous for its extensive drink menu, featuring dozens of classic cocktails, specialty drinks and its highly regarded martinis.

When Clydz opened in 1997, the martini list just contained a dozen offerings. That soon changed.

"A few weeks after opening, the bartenders started coming up with new concoctions on a daily basis," Parla said. "We then changed the menu to 25 selections, then 50, then 75." The menu now has more than 100 different items, most of which are Clydz originals.

A few highlights of the martini menu include the cucumber gimlet, a surprisingly sweet and refreshing mix of gin and muddled cucumber, and the leninade, a simple yet satisfying blend of vodka, lemonade and grenadine.

The more adventurous might want to try the Cajun martini, which contains pepper-flavored vodka as well as vermouth, Tabasco sauce and Old Bay seasoning. There are even martinis made with ice cream or champagne. Clydz also offers some traditional options, such as dirty martinis, cosmopolitans and Manhattans.

After making the difficult decision of which martini to order, guests are then presented with an empty glass adorned with a drink-specific garnish. The bartender or waitress then rattles the shaker, pours the drink into the glass and leaves the shaker behind with more than enough for a refill.

Customers can enjoy their drinks in either the bar or the dining room. The bar area appears very classy, with a fireplace as well as two aquariums built in the wall. As can be expected in a college town, this area usually is packed with Rutgers University students.

Those who wish to sit down and sip their drinks in a quieter setting can make their way through the crowded bar to Clydz's dining room. They also can order from the late-night bar menu, which, in addition to regular hamburgers, offers Kobe beef burgers and the intriguing "game burger du jour." Other offerings include Tasmanian crab rolls, rabbit-rattlesnake sausage and a variety of sandwiches.

With the exotic food, upscale décor, fancy drinks and, of course, the rose petals lining the steps, some might think that Clydz is a little pretentious. That is not the case, as proven by the college students who usually flood the bar. And each martini is $9, which is a reasonable price considering that you're essentially get two glasses from one selection -- and the drinks are pretty strong.

Clydz's combination of drinks, food and ambience has struck a chord with customers, as evidenced by the feedback Parla receives.

He said, "One of the best comments I've ever received was simply, 'Don't change a thing.' "