Solid Italian Picks Without the Wine Bar Pretense
Harbordale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed February 28, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Bistro Mezzaluna’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Bistro Mezzaluna reads like a greatest hits compilation from 2008 — safe, recognizable, predictable. It's the kind of list that won't offend anyone but won't surprise anyone either. Fifty bottles strong with a solid eighteen by-the-glass pours, it's built for the crowd that knows what they like and likes what they know.
The Italian section leans heavily on Tuscan crowd-pleasers like Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti and the ubiquitous Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio — safe choices that pair well with the homemade pastas but lack the regional depth you'd hope for at an upscale Italian spot. California gets its due with Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and Etude Lyric Pinot Noir, both solid producers but safe picks that every wine list in America stocks. There's a smattering of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to round things out, but the list feels more like a steakhouse wine program than an Italian bistro exploring the Boot's incredible diversity. No Barolo, no Brunello, no skin-contact whites, no volcanic wines from the south — just the hits.
Eighteen glass pours at $10-$18 is a decent spread for a neighborhood spot, and the range covers the bases from Pinot Grigio to Chianti to Pinot Noir. The Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio and Santa Margherita options give guests two takes on Italy's most-ordered white, while the Veuve Clicquot by the glass is a nice touch for celebrations. The problem is rotation — this feels like a set-it-and-forget-it program with no seasonal changes or adventurous pours to keep regulars engaged.
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva — $58
A classic Tuscan that over-delivers on structure and complexity, perfect with their U.S.D.A. prime steaks and won't break the bank
Etude Lyric Pinot Noir
Most diners skip past this for the bigger Cabs, but Etude's Carneros fruit has elegance and restraint that shines with their pasta dishes
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
You're paying $68 for a bottle you can find at Total Wine for $22 — the markup here is aggressive for a wine this mass-produced
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva + Homemade Pappardelle with Bolognese
Sangiovese's bright acidity and cherry notes cut through rich meat sauce while the wine's earthy tannins echo the dish's savory depth
The Bottom Line
Bistro Mezzaluna delivers exactly what its loyal Harbordale crowd wants: familiar wines that pair well with excellent Italian-American cooking, served with warmth and no pretense. The list won't thrill wine geeks, but it won't disappoint your parents either.
· Fort Lauderdale · American Steakhouse Grille
What we can see from the available data is a six-bottle California-only snapshot tied to a wine dinner event — not enough to call this a real wine program. Del Frisco's Grille may have more going on behind the scenes, but until we see the full list, we'd recommend ordering a cocktail or asking your server what's actually available by the glass before committing to a bottle.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Las Olas · Fort Lauderdale · Brazilian Churrasco Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Fort Lauderdale is a great place to eat a lot of excellent meat; the wine list appears to be a functional but uninspired supporting cast. If you're a serious wine person, do your homework before you go — call ahead and ask what's on the list, because we couldn't nail it down from publicly available sources. The food will carry the night regardless.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mediterranean
The Terrace Grill isn't where you go to chase down rare bottles or get your mind blown by an unexpected producer — it's where you go to drink well without overthinking it. For waterfront Mediterranean dining in Fort Lauderdale, that's a perfectly respectable offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian, Floridian
La Fuga earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a focused Italian-California list that does right by the food — just be prepared for steep markups on the prestige bottles. Send a friend here when they want serious Italian wine with their pasta and a view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
Anthony's Runway 84 is a Fort Lauderdale institution that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: big Napa names, old-school Italian comfort, and no surprises. Wine-forward diners may find the list a little safe, but the Italian highlights and the fresh Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that someone here is paying attention — even if the list isn't ready to take risks.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ft. Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · Steak House
Steak 954 is a legitimately strong wine program for a beach hotel steakhouse — deep on the producers that matter, proper storage, and a by-the-glass count that punches above its weight. Markups are what they are at this address, but if you pick smart, this is a great place to drink wine with a serious piece of beef.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Dacula · Italian
Antonetas isn't a wine destination, and it isn't trying to be — it's a family-friendly neighborhood Italian with a wine list that covers the basics and stays out of the way. If you're after a solid glass of something red with your Lasagna in a no-fuss setting, you won't be disappointed. Just don't show up expecting to geek out over the list.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Alpharetta · Italian
Crust is a solid neighborhood Italian spot where the wine list is a supporting player, not the headliner — and that's fine. Come for the rigatoni alla vodka and garlic knots; order a glass of whatever red they're pouring and don't overthink it. We'd send a friend here for dinner without hesitation, just not for the wine list alone.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Marietta · Italian
Vespucci's isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't pretend to be — and that honesty is refreshing. The one move that earns real respect here is the Monday half-price bottle deal, which turns an ordinary weeknight into a genuinely good value. Show up on a Monday, order the Eggplant Parmigiana, grab a bottle at half price, and you've had a solid dinner without thinking too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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