For Manuel Sanchez, the general manager of Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak at The Mirage, creating art and running a restaurant are one and the same—and both are passions of the San Francisco native.
After discovering a talent for painting, he attended the art institute in his hometown, then furthered his studies as a classically trained artist in Chicago. To supplement his income as a self-proclaimed “starving artist,” he began to work in restaurants, starting off as a server and eventually moving into management. His hard work in food and beverage eventually brought him to the mecca of the industry, Las Vegas, in 2015. After managing a few high-volume, high-end eateries, he landed at Heritage Steak two years ago. “Now I manage this carnivorous jungle,” Sanchez says about the steakhouse.
Besides running the restaurant, helping the staff and interacting with guests, Sanchez is also responsible for creating Heritage’s special events like the Heritage Wine Dinner every last Wednesday of the month and the craft beer and small bites class, Sippin School, every first Friday of the month (visit The Mirage website for tickets).
“This restaurant represents art on a plate for me, the art of eating and sharing a meal together, tasting something that brings back memories and feelings,” Sanchez says. “You can have an experience with a cocktail, the design of the restaurant, the design of the food on the plate, the design of the cocktail—it’s all art. Restaurants are my happy place as well. If I’m not painting, I’m eating and drinking.”
Libation: Heritage Old-Fashioned
Before your meal comes, order a classic cocktail like the Heritage Old-Fashioned. (With dinner, Sanchez suggests choosing a glass of wine from the more than 300 selections.) The specialty cocktail is a simple yet delicious mix of rye whiskey, bitters and a sugar cube, garnished with an orange slice.
Benefit: Heritage Steak has something for everyone! The chef will create a specialty vegan dish upon request.
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