Scranton

Alfredo's isn't a wine destination, but it's a pizza place with a functional, fairly priced list and one of the better midweek wine promotions we've seen in northeastern Pennsylvania. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Bonanza Cab at half price, and get a large pie — there are worse ways to spend a weeknight.

POSH isn't a destination wine list — it's a safe, slightly overpriced selection that leans on brand recognition over discovery. Come on a Wednesday, grab the Colombo rosé at half price, and you'll leave happy; show up any other night and you're paying full markup for wines you could find at the corner store.

Sambucca is a perfectly decent Italian restaurant where wine is clearly an afterthought — steep markups on recognizable grocery store labels, no specials, no depth. Order the pasta, maybe a glass of something bubbly to start, and don't look at the wine list too hard.

Backyard Ale House is a solid beer destination that treats wine like a legal obligation rather than an opportunity. Order a craft beer, enjoy the bar scene, and save the wine for somewhere that actually cares.

Cooper's earns its reputation on the seafood — the wine list is purely an afterthought, with steep markups on grocery-store staples. Come for the food and the atmosphere; if it's Wednesday, at least the half-price bottles make the math less painful.

Bar Pazzo won't win any awards for list length, but the seven bottles they chose punch well above their weight for a casual Italian spot in downtown Scranton. If you're willing to let go of the familiar and trust the list, there's a genuinely good night of wine drinking here.