Midtown's Calm, Capable Wine Anchor
Midtown Manhattan · New York · American, French · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Butter’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 Butter arrives feeling deliberate — not flashy, but put together. California and France anchor everything, which makes sense given the room: upscale Midtown, warm lighting, the kind of crowd that knows Caymus but might not know much past it. It's a list that respects its audience without challenging them.
At 150–200 bottles, Butter has enough range to reward a curious diner without overwhelming anyone. California leads the charge with recognizable heavyweights — Caymus, Stag's Leap, Opus One — while France fills in with Louis Jadot Burgundy doing solid, reliable work. Jordan Chardonnay rounds out a Cali whites section that's crowd-friendly but won't surprise anyone. There's a noticeable gap when it comes to anything off the beaten path: no real adventurous producers, no esoteric regions, and Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling is about as wild as it gets. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is well-earned for what this list is — a competently curated, California-and-France-focused program that matches the room.
Twelve to eighteen pours by the glass is a respectable range for Midtown, and Butter does make an effort to keep recognizable names in rotation. Expect the usual suspects — think California Cabs and French whites — though don't count on a lot of rotation or surprise additions. It gets the job done for a pre-theater crowd or a quick business dinner, even if the glass program won't have you lingering over a second pour out of pure excitement.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay — $12
Jordan Chardonnay is one of California's most consistently overperforming bottles at its price point — creamy, well-made, and not trying to be Burgundy. If it's available by the glass at the low end of their range, it's the most honest spend on the list.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
It's the outlier on an otherwise California-and-France-heavy list, and most people at Butter walk right past it. Washington Riesling at this level is electric with acid and fruit, and it's almost certainly the most underpriced, underordered bottle in the room — especially next to the Butter Poached Lobster.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy bottle, and Butter prices it like one. You're paying for the name and the bragging rights, not for a wine that dramatically outperforms everything else on the list. At a Midtown markup, the delta between what you spend and what you taste is steep — order the Stag's Leap and pocket the difference.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Wagyu Beef
Stag's Leap built its reputation on structured, elegant Cabs that don't bludgeon you — which is exactly what Wagyu needs. The beef's richness absorbs the tannin, and the wine's dark fruit plays off the fat without overwhelming the delicate texture. It's the most straightforward great call on the menu.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Butter is a reliable, well-intentioned wine list that earns its Award of Excellence without pushing any envelopes — if you're in Midtown and want a solid California or French bottle to go with serious food, you won't leave disappointed. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here to eat well and drink confidently.
Midtown West · New York · Russian-American
The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
Corima's wine list is proof that ten well-chosen bottles beat a hundred thoughtless ones every time. If you care about what's in your glass, this place is worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Village · New York · American
Cecchi's is first and foremost a bar, but the wine list is more serious than the neon and noise suggest. Steep markups are the main ding — but if you know what to order, there's real pleasure here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SoHo · New York · Steak House, Small Plates
The Corner Store is a reliable, well-credentialed wine list doing exactly what a good SoHo steakhouse should — France and California, done with intention, in a room that makes you want to order another bottle. Just watch the markup on the big Bordeaux names and let the Rhône or Burgundy side show you a better time.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Tribeca · New York · American
Farra is punching above its weight class for a neighborhood wine bar, and the Wine Spectator nod is earned — just know that the serious bottles come with serious prices, and the no-sommelier setup means you're doing some of the navigating yourself. Worth it for anyone who knows what they want; potentially overwhelming for those who don't.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Huntly · Huntly · American, French
Houndstooth is the kind of place you'd never stumble across, which is exactly why we're telling you about it. Drive out, let someone else drive back, and let the list do the work.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Huntington Beach · Huntington Beach · American, French
Henry's is a reliable, well-tended California wine program with a genuine expert behind it — not flashy, but consistently good. If you're eating on PCH and want a bottle that was actually chosen with care, this is your spot.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Fargo · West Fargo · American, French
Maxwells is the kind of wine program that earns real respect in context — a thoughtfully stocked, sommelier-guided list in a city where 'wine program' often means a Merlot and a Pinot Grigio. If you're passing through West Fargo or lucky enough to live there, this is where you drink.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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