With more than 50 styles of martinis on the menu, Martini Mike's ensures an excellent cocktail. But this contemporary lounge, located at 730 N. Old World Third St., offers more than just a refreshing martini. The restaurant's collection of appetizers, salads and sandwiches offers an upscale ambiance with a casual dining experience and excellent prices.

Martini Mike's, formerly The Velvet Room, reopened its doors in July after an impressive makeover, including huge menu transformations, plasma TVs, billiard tables and an overall change of theme.

"Upscale restaurants and bars are opening all over the city," said Mike Kozak, owner and founder of Martini Mike's. "And rather than competing, we wanted to complement those establishments and offer patrons an upscale but casual dining and lounge experience."

Looking over the menu and focusing immediately on the prices, not one thing on the menu exceeds $12 — most choices are between $7 and $8. It's casual bar food with a twist, with appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip, calamari, julienne pomme frites (served with seasoned ketchup, chipotle mayonnaise and cucumber wasabi dressing) and sliders (not your typical White Castle sliders … these defeat the stereotypes!). Focusing especially on sandwiches and burgers, Martini Mike's has conquered the gourmet bar food trend with reasonable prices.

Monday Night Football specials (three for $5 sliders and $3 julienne pomme frites), $5 Martini Wednesdays and Friday Ladies' Night ($2 vodka drinks, $3 cherry bombs) make the prices even more reasonable. Two billiard tables are available for $10 per hour and free RoadRunner wireless Internet access is also available.

Because Martini Mike's is a bar, those under the age of 21 are allowed during dining hours: Monday through Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday through Saturday until 1:00 a.m., and Sunday until 9 p.m. Martini Mike's opens at 5 p.m. daily.

Located just one-half block north of Wisconsin Avenue on Old World Third Street (directly across from Grand Avenue Mall), Martini Mike's offers Marquette students affordable prices, great food and a casual but upscale experience. For more information, visit www.martinimikesmilwaukee.com.