You could say that being a sommelier is something of a tradition in Daniele Tavernaro’s family. The Las Vegas native’s father was a master sommelier himself, although that didn’t mean that the now lead sommelier at Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak at The Mirage had an easy “in” when it was time to get into the business.

“My dad wanted me to really understand the restaurant business,” Tavernaro said. So he worked his way from dishwasher to front-of-house positions over the years, amassing both experience and an impressive education, including advanced sommelier, certified wine specialist and a Level 1 sake certification. The way he sees it, it was time well spent to make sure that your experience lives up to its full potential.

In his free time, when he’s not following English Premier League soccer or spending time with his 8-year-old daughter, Tavernaro loves trying new food. “Once I got past the fact that my family did (food and beverage) and that I actually loved it myself, it became my thing. I love to see how a chef is putting cuisine together.”

Century City Mule

Century City Mule

Tavernaro explores different wine programs and makes it a point to try new cuisine when he travels. And at the end of the day, his interests come around full circle and help him educate and inform his guests. “If you dine with me, you’re happy.”

Century City Mule

This mule lures you with a pleasant herbal scent that has a fascinating interplay with the Fever-Tree ginger beer, lime juice and Absolut® Elyx vodka. That thyme sprig garnish goes a long way toward making this mule different from its other copper-mugged brethren. “It’s a play on a classic, but you have to do your own thing,” says Tavernaro. The drink is served with a heaping scoop of crushed ice but “it usually doesn’t have the time to melt.”

This Friends With Benefits is powered by Absolut® Elyx vodka