Daniel's Broiler
Lakeside Cab Country With Serious Bordeaux Backup
Bellevue Β· Bellevue Β· Seafood, Steakhouse Β· Visit Website β
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list arrives and it means business β 400 to 600 bottles deep, with California Cab and Bordeaux leading the charge like they own the room. This is a steakhouse list that knows exactly what it is, and it leans into that identity without apology. Wine Spectator has handed out a Best of Award of Excellence here every year since 2018, and one look at the lineup tells you why.
Selection Deep Dive
California is the undisputed star here β Caymus Special Selection, Silver Oak, Far Niente, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Jordan β the greatest hits of Napa Cab are all present and accounted for, and if you love that world, you'll feel like a kid in a candy store. Bordeaux holds its own on the other side of the ledger, with Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lynch-Bages anchoring a serious Old World column that gives the list real credibility. Opus One sits at the intersection of both worlds and predictably commands attention. The gaps are real β Burgundy, RhΓ΄ne, and anything remotely adventurous are mostly absent β but Daniel's Broiler isn't pretending to be a wine bar, and the depth within its chosen lanes is genuinely impressive.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five pours by the glass is a serious commitment, and the range spans $15 to $50, which means you can ease in with something approachable or go straight for the good stuff. The glass program tracks the bottle list closely β expect California-heavy options with a few Bordeaux varietals mixed in. We'd love to see more rotation and a few wild cards in the pour program, but for a steakhouse crowd ordering the dry-aged ribeye, it delivers exactly what's needed.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon β $60
Jordan is a consistent, food-friendly Alexander Valley Cab that rarely disappoints alongside a big steak. At the lower end of the bottle range here, it's the smartest spend on the list β familiar enough to feel safe, good enough to actually be good.
Chateau Lynch-Bages
Everyone reaches for Margaux when they want to show off, but Lynch-Bages is the savvier Pauillac pick β darker, more structured, and often better with a plate of meat than its flashier neighbors. Most tables here walk right past it.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy wine, and steakhouses know it. You're paying a significant premium for the label recognition here β the markup on a bottle that's already expensive at retail is hard to justify when Jordan or Stag's Leap will do the job just as well for your ribeye and leave money on the table.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime dry-aged ribeye
Stag's Leap brings structure and dark fruit without the heaviness of some Napa Cabs β it cuts through the fat of the dry-aged beef while matching its intensity. Classic combination, executed well.
π₯ The Bottom Line
Daniel's Broiler is the kind of steakhouse wine list that earns its reputation β deep in the places that matter, properly stored, and served in real glassware above a genuinely beautiful view of Lake Washington. Bring someone you want to impress, order the ribeye, and let the Napa section do the rest.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.