Big steaks, bigger Cabs, predictable markups
Downtown/Pine Avenue · Long Beach · Classic American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed 555 East American Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at 555 East reads exactly like the room looks — dark wood, power moves, no surprises. It's a California Cab parade with a few classic French names sprinkled in to signal seriousness. If you've been to a well-run steakhouse before, you already know this list.
The cellar leans hard into Napa and Sonoma, anchored by the usual suspects: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Cakebread, Far Niente. These are crowd-pleasing, approachable bottles that belong in a steakhouse — no argument there — but the list doesn't push you anywhere interesting. Bordeaux and Burgundy make supporting appearances for the old-school crowd, but if you're hoping for something from Paso Robles, the Rhône, or anywhere off the California greatest-hits track, you'll be disappointed. The award recognition suggests depth in the cellar, but the curated selections lean heavily on name recognition over discovery.
The by-the-glass program is generous for a steakhouse of this tier — estimates put it in the 15-to-25-bottle range, which gives you real options before you commit to a full bottle. Expect pours to run $16 on the low end and climb past $30 for anything with a familiar Napa label on it. There's no evidence of a rotating BTG program — what's on the list is what's been on the list.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2019 — $145
At 123% over retail it's still steep, but Jordan is genuinely one of the best steakhouse Cabs you can order — elegant, not over-extracted, and it actually improves with some time in the glass. Relative to the other options on this list, it's the best dollar-per-enjoyment play.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay
Most people at a steakhouse are hunting for red, but Sonoma-Cutrer's Russian River Ranches is a seriously good Chardonnay that gets overlooked next to the flashier Napa names. It's crisp, precise, and handles rich dishes without buttering everything into oblivion.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2020
At $195 on a bottle you can find for $80 at retail, Caymus is the most egregiously marked-up wine on the list — and it's also become one of the most over-produced, over-hyped bottles in American wine. You're paying premium price for a label, not a great wine experience.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley + USDA Prime Ribeye
Ribeye needs something with enough fruit weight and structure to stand up to all that fat and char — Duckhorn Merlot has the plum richness and soft tannins to do exactly that without overpowering the beef. It's also a welcome break from ordering yet another Cab.
The Bottom Line
555 East is a competent, well-run steakhouse wine program that takes care of business without taking any risks. Send a friend here if they want a reliable Napa Cab with their prime cut — just warn them to skip the Caymus and watch the bill.
Belmont Heights · Long Beach · Modern Latin / New Mexican
Panxa Cocina isn't a wine destination, but it's a Wild Card worth knowing — a kitchen-first list that actually shows some regional personality in a city full of lists that don't try. Send a friend here for dinner and tell them to order the Gruet just to watch the table react.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Alamitos Bay · Long Beach · Seafood, Steak, Sushi, and American Coastal
Boathouse on the Bay isn't a wine destination, but Wine Wednesday — 50% off bottles under $100 — turns a perfectly decent, crowd-pleasing list into a genuine reason to show up. Come for the views and the crab, grab the Eroica Riesling, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown/Shoreline Village · Long Beach · Asian Fusion
PF Chang's wine list exists because restaurants have to have one, not because anyone particularly cared about building it. Grab the Riesling, enjoy your lettuce wraps, and don't expect the wine to be the reason you came.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Belmont Shore · Long Beach · Upscale American
Nick's on 2nd is a dependable neighborhood wine stop — solid list, familiar producers, nothing that'll blow your mind but nothing that'll disappoint a table of mixed drinkers. Send a friend here for a date night, just tell them to order the Duckhorn and leave the Jordan for someone else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Pine Avenue · Long Beach · Greek/Mediterranean
George's is a Wild Card because it's doing something most casual Greek spots don't bother with — actually leaning into Greek wine. Monday's half-price promotion makes it worth building a night around.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Belmont Shore · Long Beach · Seafood, American, Elevated Coastal
Roe Seafood's wine list is a crowd-pleaser in a restaurant that deserves something a little wilder, but Wine Wednesday — half-price bottles, no corkage, live jazz — is a genuine reason to show up on a Wednesday instead of a Friday. Come for the lobster roll, stay for the Sauternes.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Madonna Inn area · Paso Robles · Classic American Steakhouse
The Gold Rush Steak House is a nostalgic, only-in-California experience where the décor and the prime rib are the stars — the wine list is a supporting character that does its job without embarrassing itself. If you're in it for the food and the atmosphere, you'll drink fine; if you're here for the wine, you're in the wrong zip code.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Madonna Inn / South SLO · San Luis Obispo · Classic American Steakhouse
The Gold Rush Steak House is a reliable, no-drama wine program dressed up in a very dramatic room — the markups sting on the trophy bottles, but lean local and lean toward Paso and you'll eat and drink well. Send a friend here if they want a California Cab with their steak and don't want to think too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
CityPlace / Downtown · West Palm Beach · Classic American Steakhouse
Abe & Louie's is a dependable, well-stocked steakhouse wine program with real depth and knowledgeable staff — it just charges accordingly and rarely colors outside the lines. Send a friend here for a serious bottle of Cab with a prime steak, but tell them to ask the sommelier to find something off the beaten path.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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