On the Menu: Manor Bar Santa Barbara

Welcome to On the Menu, where we explore what makes a bar’s menu unique, intriguing, and all-around delicious.

About 25 years into the cocktail renaissance, it may feel like every menu theme has been done. From showstopping presentations, such as at Madame George in New York, to thoughtfully designed menus, like Big Bar’s Thomas Guide, to the award-winning menus at Trick Dog, bars are always looking for new ways to capture attention for their drinks. Now, The Manor Bar at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California, may have raised the bar with its Literary Lands menu.

Each cocktail on this imaginative menu is designed around the theme of a fictitious setting, and the bar tapped Italian print service 3D Vault to print bespoke vessels for a uniquely immersive presentation. Order the Hundred Acre Wood cocktail and receive a colorful honeypot that looks like it was plucked from Winnie the Pooh’s house. Meanwhile the Center of the Earth presents as a glowing globe, cleverly housing a smoky watermelon mezcal cocktail. Even the cocktail menu has been transformed into an interactive experience. 3D Vault created a 12-inch replica of the bar, including an original Fernando Botero piece above the fireplace. To peruse the cocktail list, pull the tiny book with the cocktail’s name from the shelf in the mini library and read its description.

3D Vault has worked with some of the world’s most acclaimed bars, such as Paradiso in Barcelona and Tokyo Confidential in Tokyo. But, according to its co-founder Dario Bellantuono, “This collaboration with Rosewood Miramar Beach marks a key moment for our future in the United States.”

To find out more about how the menu came together, we caught up with James Verlinden, the hotel’s director of food and beverage. 

Imbibe: How did you come to the idea of 3D printing the vessels for this menu?

James Verlinden: We wanted to push the boundaries of cocktail presentation by merging storytelling, design, and technology. 3D printing gave us the creative freedom to craft bespoke vessels that embody the spirit of each literary world. It allowed us to go beyond traditional glassware and create immersive, narrative-driven pieces that elevate the guest experience.

How did the partnership with 3D Vault come about?

We discovered 3D Vault through mutual creative circles and were immediately drawn to their ability to merge artistry with innovative production methods. After an initial conversation, it was clear we shared a vision for elevating guest experiences through tactile storytelling. This collaboration marks their U.S. debut, making it even more exciting.

What was the process of creating this menu? When did the concept of the vessels come into play?

The concept began with a love of literature and the desire to explore mythical and imagined places through flavor. Once we decided on the narrative—a bartender lost in a dreamlike, literary world—we knew we wanted to create custom vessels to bring those worlds to life. The idea of pairing each cocktail with a unique 3D-printed vessel became central early in the process.

And how about the process of designing the vessels?

It was highly collaborative. We began by identifying the literary themes of each cocktail, then translated those into visual ideas. From there, we worked closely with 3D Vault, going through multiple rounds of sketches, prototypes, and material testing to ensure each piece was not only beautiful but functional and sustainable.

Which 3D-printed design was the most difficult to create?

From a technical standpoint, Valhalla was the most challenging. Inspired by Norse mythology, where warriors drank mead from the udders of magical goats, it features a glass goat with 24k gold horns. Creating it required a complex two-part mold to capture the shape. And applying the gold demanded meticulous precision to avoid damaging the glass. Each one is hand-blown, so no two are exactly alike. Every goat is a little unique, just like the legends behind it.

Valhalla: Whiskey, Dolin Blanc, Cappelletti Aperitivio, cherry, and creme de cacao.

How was sustainability incorporated within the project?

We’ve used PLA and wood-fiber PLA, biodegradable, plant-based plastics derived from renewable resources like corn starch. These materials have a much smaller environmental footprint than traditional plastics and align with our sustainability commitment at Rosewood Miramar Beach.

Which cocktail presentation has gotten the biggest reactions from guests?

Truffula Forest, served in a tall, whimsical vessel inspired by Dr. Seuss, has really captured guests’ imaginations. Beyond its whimsical, fluffy Truffula tree in a plant pot presentation, the fact that proceeds support reforestation efforts makes the experience both playful and purposeful. [$3 from each Truffula Forest cocktail sold goes to The National Forest Foundation, supporting its Southern California environmental initiatives and post-wildfire reforestation.]

Which cocktail is the most requested?

Center of the Earth has been stealing the spotlight. It arrives inside a globe, already a nod to adventure. And then it lights up from within, glowing red like the molten core of the planet. It’s a little piece of theater at the table, instantly sparking curiosity. The drink itself is full of surprises, with layers of smoky, juicy, earthy, and spiced notes that unfold as you sip. There’s texture, warmth, and just the right hint of mystery, like cracking open the Earth and discovering something magical inside.

What happens to the vessels when you move on to the next menu? Can people buy them?

Guests are more than welcome to purchase the vessels! We’re happy to help coordinate any retail requests directly with our partners at 3D Vault. When we move on to the next volume, most vessels will be retired, we’ll keep a few, give some away as keepsakes. And if any are discarded, they’re made from biodegradable or recyclable materials, so nothing goes to waste.

Empis: Seedlip Garden, apple, celery, herbs, and bubbles.
Atlantis: Scotch, umeshu, pear, plum, and sea salt.

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