Bistro Mezzaluna

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.