Nick Dean, Forte the Restaurant bartender, pours Forte’s specialty “Marquee Martini” from the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ marquee Monday, in recognition of National Martini Day. The “Marquee Martini” will be served at Forte throughout the remainder of the week. P-J photo by Gavin Paterniti

Although not officially open for the occasion, Forte the Restaurant celebrated National Martini Day in style.

On Monday, Forte bartender Nick Dean fashioned a unique beverage by mixing and pouring a martini from atop the adjacent Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’s marquee.

“When we saw that National Martini Day fell on a Monday, we knew we had to do something to mark the occasion even though we’d be closed,” Dean said. “There’s a strong sense of camaraderie on our block, and the good folks at the Reg were quick to let us use their marquee as a makeshift bar for making this non-traditional martini.”

Sponsored by Southern Tier Distilling Company, Forte’s “Marquee Martini” will be on special at the 114 E. Third St. establishment today through Saturday. The “Marquee Martini” will only be available for one week, and will be made with two of Southern Tier Distilling Company’s spirits: citrus gin and vodka. The martinis will also include dry vermouth and a special garnish consisting of pickled jalapeno, cocktail onion and olive.

“Kaycee Currie, hospitality manager at Southern Tier Distilling Company, has been so gracious in getting us everything we need to make this event a success,” Dean said. “We’ve always had a focus on ‘local’ at Forte, and we’ve carried Southern Tier beer exclusively on our taps for more than a decade. When the company released its first wave of liquors, we were quick to add them to our shelves.”

Forte the Restaurant is located at 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information on the restaurant’s specialty “Marquee Martini” call 484-6063 or visit fortetherestaurant.com.