Springfield's Date Night Goes Old World
South Fremont · Springfield · Upscale Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Avanzare and the white tablecloths set expectations immediately — this is Springfield taking Italian dining seriously. The wine list follows suit: it's not trying to be a wine bar, but it's clearly thought through, with Italy and the American West Coast sharing the stage. For a mid-Missouri fine dining room, this is a more considered list than you'd expect.
The list leans into Italian classics — a Barbaresco from Marchesi di Barolo anchors the red side with real credibility — while the white wine spread reaches into France (Pouilly-Fuissé, Louis Jadot) and the Pacific Northwest (Chateau Ste. Michelle). There's even a Costamolino Vermentino in here, which is a genuinely interesting Sardinian pick that most Springfield restaurants wouldn't touch. The California side fills out with crowd-pleasers like Jekel Winery Riesling and Dry Creek Chenin Blanc — approachable, food-friendly, and sensibly chosen. Gaps exist: the list could push deeper into Tuscany and Piedmont given the Italian concept, and Barolo fans will want more options beyond the Barbaresco.
Glass pours aren't enumerated in detail, but what's confirmed is that Avanzare runs a genuine happy hour Tuesday through Sunday from 4–6 PM with all wines by the glass at half price — that's not a one-night gimmick, that's a serious program. If you time it right, you're getting proper Italian-leaning pours at a fraction of the cost. The Candoni Prosecco Brut makes a strong case as an aperitivo opener before you dig into the osso buco.
Costamolino Vermentino — null
Sardinian Vermentino at a Springfield fine dining restaurant is a small miracle. It's the kind of bright, saline, citrus-forward white that was made for seafood and pasta, and it's exactly the kind of pick that shows a list has range beyond the obvious. Price unknown, but worth asking about — especially during happy hour.
Dry Creek Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc gets ignored everywhere, and most diners will scroll right past it. That's a mistake. Dry Creek's version is crisp, textured, and versatile enough to handle cream sauces and lighter veal dishes. It's the kind of wine that makes you look smart when you order it.
Candoni Prosecco Brut
Candoni is fine — it's perfectly acceptable restaurant Prosecco — but it's also the kind of mass-market bottle you can grab at any grocery store for under $15. Unless you're snagging it during happy hour at half price, save your spend for something more interesting from the list.
Barbaresco Marchesi di Barolo + Osso buco
Barbaresco's Nebbiolo grape brings enough tannin structure and dried-cherry depth to stand up to braised veal shank without bulldozing the delicate gremolata. This is the pairing that justifies the whole wine program — and exactly why Italian reds and Italian braises have been locked together for centuries.
Tuesday–Sunday — All wines by the glass are half price during happy hour, 4–6 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Monday the restaurant is closed.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Avanzare isn't reinventing the wine list, but it's doing the right things in a market where that's not guaranteed — real Italian producers, a few adventurous picks, and a happy hour wine deal that's genuinely one of the better values in Springfield. Take someone you want to impress, order the Barbaresco, and get there before 6 PM.
Downtown · Springfield · Sports Bar & Grill
The Dugout is a perfectly fine sports bar where wings get eaten, games get watched, and wine gets ignored — and that's the right call. Come for the BBQ Bacon Burger, leave the wine glass at home.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Springfield · Springfield · Farm-to-table gastropub
Farmers Gastropub is a reliable neighborhood stop where the food gets more attention than the wine list — and that's okay. Order the Tempranillo, enjoy the locally sourced kitchen, and don't come here expecting to geek out on wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Springfield · Springfield · American Grill
FD's Grillhouse isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it knows it — the list is safe, the markups lean steep, and the by-the-glass selection does most of the heavy lifting. If you're here for burgers and a decent pour, you'll leave fine; just skip The Prisoner and let Catena or Chapoutier do the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Springfield · Upscale Steakhouse
Flame is doing what a downtown Springfield steakhouse should do — keeping the room happy with a recognizable, well-stocked list and an unusually strong by-the-glass program. It's not breaking new ground, but if you know what you want and pick carefully, there's a solid night of wine to be had here.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Springfield · Springfield · Wine Bar / Tapas & Small Plates
Cellar + Plate earns its Wild Card badge by doing things a mid-Missouri wine bar has no obligation to do — stocking real producers, offering genuine specials, and building a list with an actual perspective. It's not a destination in the national sense, but for Springfield? Send your friends on a Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Springfield · Springfield · American
Ocean Zen has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2019, and the list earns it by being consistently fair and food-friendly, even if it never surprises you. Come on a Wednesday, order the J. Lohr, and enjoy the sea bass — you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
South Coast Metro · Santa Ana · Upscale Italian
Antonello is the real deal for classic Italian fine dining wine in Orange County — deep list, proper cellar, staff who know what they're talking about. Just go in knowing that the prestige pricing is part of the deal, and steer toward the mid-tier gems rather than the trophy bottles if you want to walk out feeling smart.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Jersey City · Jersey City · Upscale Italian
Porto Leggero is a beautiful room with a wine list that's coasting on its surroundings — steep markups on unremarkable producers, zero discovery, and no signs anyone's minding the cellar with passion. Save the Tignanello for a special occasion and keep your expectations calibrated accordingly.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Sacramento · Upscale Italian
Il Fornaio Sacramento's wine list does its job without embarrassing itself — Italian anchors, California backup, prices that sting but won't shock anyone on an expense account. Send a friend here for the food and the atmosphere; just coach them to avoid the grocery-brand pours and go straight for the Allegrini.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.