Big steaks, bigger Cabs, predictable markups
Downtown/Pine Avenue · Long Beach · Classic American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
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
West Toledo/Alexis Road · Toledo · Classic American Steakhouse
Mancy's is a solid Toledo steakhouse with a wine list that does its job without doing much more — you won't be wowed, but you won't be stuck drinking something terrible with your filet either. Send your friends here for the steak; if they care about wine, point them toward the Pessimist or the Riesling and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Chandler · Chandler · Classic American Steakhouse
DC Steak House is a dependable spot for a Cab-forward evening with a great steak — just go in knowing the list won't surprise you and the markups won't thrill you. Order smart, skip the Caymus, and you'll leave happy.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Sunset Station · Henderson · Classic American Steakhouse
Sonoma Cellar is exactly what it is: a dependable casino steakhouse wine list with familiar California names, steep-ish markups, and zero pretense about being anything more. Send a friend here if they want a solid Cab with their prime rib and aren't looking to be challenged — just tell them to skip the prestige bottles and drink the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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