Nick Mancini would be proud. The restaurant he founded in 1948 as a 3.2 beer joint serving sandwiches made by his mom, which later expanded into the landmark Mancini’s Char House & Lounge, was awarded Minnesota Restaurant of the Year by the Minnesota Restaurant Association (MRA).

This is the first time this award has been given. It was presented at Mancini’s at the MRA’s Holiday Party on Nov. 19 with 250 restaurateurs and restaurant suppliers in attendance.

Although Mancini started small, in 1965 he developed his steakhouse, a risky proposal in that time. But over the years, Nick’s hospitality and good will and his premier steak dinners made Mancini’s the popular place for neighbors, friends, politicians, athletes and countless others.

In 1985, Nick began Mancini’s Sports Hall of Fame, honoring the home town athletes. In 2005, Nick was inducted into the Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame.

Nick Mancini died May 29, 2007, and countless many remembered the man and his generosity signified by the packed attendance at his funeral at the Cathedral and the hundreds who followed on foot the horse-drawn casket which paused before the Char House before the burial.

Over the years, his sons Pat and John participated in the restaurant, and Nick successfully instilled a love of the hospitality business in them. Sixty years later, the entire Mancini family is still “giving back” to the community. The Mancini sons extended their father’s generosity by being major leaders and sponsors of the Serving Our Troops organization, which has held steak dinners at home and abroad for the troops and their families, along with a group of St. Paul-based restaurants and other individuals with a “common interest in supporting those who put themselves in harm’s way.”

Dave Cossetta of Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria (just up the street from Mancini’s) presented the award. Dave, who was like another son to Nick, said, “They are my family, and they are your family.”

Pat Mancini who accepted the award gave special thanks to the staff. “When you spend some 30 years with some of the staff, you really get to know them and their lives. Our staff really has passion. They care and they understand the Mancini vision and the Mancini experience.”

Pat said he remembered when his father died that other restaurateurs and industry leaders called and said they were willing to help out with the restaurant while he and his family tended to personal matters. He said it made him proud to be a part of the restaurant industry, an industry like no other.

Pat also gave special thanks to his mom, Mary Ann, who is recovering from an illness and could not attend the ceremony. “Mom has been that rock and foundation for us. This award is for her tonight. Thank you for being so loving, caring and gracious.”