Columbia's Steakhouse With a California State of Mind
Columbia · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 16, 2026
RagingWine reviewed CC's City Broiler’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walk into CC's City Broiler and the wine list reads exactly like what you'd expect at a cozy steakhouse in mid-Missouri: California Cabs front and center, a few Chardonnays for the table, and enough recognizable names to keep everyone happy. It's not going to surprise you, but it's not trying to. There's a sommelier — Matt Bilyk — which immediately separates this place from the local competition.
The list runs 150 to 250 bottles and leans hard into California, which makes sense given the beef-forward menu and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence they've held since 2023. You'll find the usual suspects: Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, and Stag's Leap all flying the Cabernet flag, while Rombauer, Cakebread, Far Niente, and Kistler anchor the Chardonnay side. Opus One makes an appearance for the expense-account crowd. What you won't find is much range outside California — no serious Rhône, no Burgundy deep cuts, no Barolo to speak of — so if you're hoping for Old World adventure, adjust expectations now.
With 20 to 35 options by the glass, there's enough to drink well without committing to a bottle, which we appreciate. The glass program skews toward the same California heavyweights as the bottle list, so don't expect a funky Grüner or a Beaujolais village poured by the stem. Still, having Rombauer or Cakebread available by the glass at a neighborhood steakhouse in Columbia, Missouri is genuinely solid.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $35–$65
Jordan punches well above casual pricing territory — it's a structured, polished Alexander Valley Cab that holds its own against bottles twice the price. At a steakhouse with a prime ribeye in front of you, this is the call.
Kistler Chardonnay
Most tables at a steakhouse are locked into red mode, but Kistler is one of California's most serious Chardonnay producers — complex, layered, and worth every dollar. It's sitting right there on the list and almost nobody orders it.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy wine with trophy-wine markup. You're paying for the label as much as the glass, and at a steakhouse where Jordan and Silver Oak exist on the same list, the price-to-experience ratio doesn't math out.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-aged New York strip
Stag's Leap has the structure to stand up to a dry-aged strip without bulldozing it — elegant tannins, dark fruit, just enough acidity to cut the fat. It's a classic match that earns its cliché status.
The Bottom Line
CC's City Broiler is the kind of reliable, well-run steakhouse wine program that a mid-sized college town should be proud to have — a real sommelier, recognizable bottles done right, and a list that won't embarrass you. The markups and California tunnel vision keep it from being a destination, but if you're in Columbia and want a great Cab with your ribeye, this is your spot.
Downtown · Columbia · Wine Bar & Bistro
Cherry Street Cellar is doing something genuinely uncommon for Columbia — an Old World-focused wine program in a space that actually feels like it belongs in a bigger city. We'd send a curious friend here on a Tuesday at 5:59 p.m. without hesitation.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / Alley A · Columbia · European beer garden and café
Günter Hans is a fantastic spot for beer, waffles, and atmosphere — the wine list is an afterthought wearing a Canyon Road uniform. Order a craft beer, enjoy every minute of the pretzel, and come back when they decide wine deserves the same love as everything else on the menu.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Near Campus · Columbia · American Sports Bar
Campus Bar & Grill is a great place to watch a Mizzou game and drink a beer — and that's exactly what you should do. The wine program is an afterthought from a restaurant that has no interest in wine, and we respect the honesty of that even as we wave you toward the tap list.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbia · Contemporary American
Bleu is the kind of wine list that works well if you already know what you want and want it done properly. It's not pushing any boundaries, the markups are on the steeper side, and there's no real discovery to be had — but for a night out in Columbia, it's a solid, well-stocked option that won't let you down.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Columbia · Columbia · Upscale globally influenced cuisine with Italian-inspired fare, seafood, pasta, steak, and gourmet pizzas
Sophia's is doing more with wine than almost anywhere else in Columbia, and we'd happily send a friend here — with a warning to navigate carefully around the commodity wines and go straight for the reserve list. The ambition is real; the markup discipline just hasn't caught up yet.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Columbia · Columbia · New American
Sycamore is doing something genuinely unusual in Columbia: running a tight, thoughtful wine list with real producers and fair prices, backed by someone on staff who knows what they're talking about. Come on a Wednesday and it's a no-brainer.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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