This blend of sake, pepper vodka and olive juice might sound odd, but it’s surprisingly good. And when you’re done, there’s a beady-eyed little cephalopod sitting at the bottom of your glass. My evil side wishes that the octopus had been alive when he entered the drink, slowly succumbing to the deadly effects of a martini environment. He may not have been drowned in sake, but he sure has absorbed a ton of the stuff, rendering his flesh tender and sweet and vaguely alcoholic. Beats a lemon twist, for sure. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor, Ybor City, 813-242-6688, www.samuraiblue.com.
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This article appears in Sep 13-19, 2006.