Lexington

Portofino is a solid downtown Lexington bet — fair pricing, a list that takes Italy seriously enough, and enough range to keep a table happy without requiring a wine degree. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, as long as they skip the Far Niente and order a second glass of the Annia.

Lorenzo's is doing more right than most Italian restaurants in Lexington — the Italian regional bones are solid, and a few standout producers lift the list above the crowd. The markup on entry-level pours stings a little, but climb up the list and there's genuine reward.

Malone's Classic won't win any points for adventurousness, but the pricing is genuinely fair and the glass count is high enough to keep a table happy. If you're in Lexington for a steak and don't want to gamble on the wine, this is a safe and honest bet.

Remy's is doing something genuinely unusual for Lexington — a focused, producer-driven list built around Oregon grapes that most of the state doesn't know exist. It's not a deep cellar, but it's an honest list with a real perspective, and that's worth the visit.

Cibon is what happens when someone with actual wine knowledge opens a neighborhood spot and refuses to mail it in on the list. If you're in Lexington and you care about what's in your glass, this is your spot.

Azur is a reliable dinner-out wine experience in a city where that bar isn't always easy to clear — fair prices, recognizable producers, and a glass selection that works for most of the table. Don't come here looking for discovery, but don't worry about being gouged either.

Jeff Ruby's is a great place to eat steak. It is not a great place to drink wine — not because the bottles are bad, but because you're paying a premium for a list that took no risks and shows no love for the craft. Order the ribeye, consider a cocktail, and save your wine budget for somewhere that earned it.

Carson's is a solid Downtown Lexington option if you're after atmosphere and a dependable Cabernet with your steak — just don't come expecting the wine list to steal the show. The food and the room are doing the heavy lifting here.

Tony's delivers a dependable, California-centric wine program that suits the steakhouse format without ever challenging it. If you're here for a celebratory ribeye and a recognizable red, you'll leave satisfied — just don't expect the list to surprise you.