Rockefeller power lunch, solid wine game
Midtown · New York · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Opening the wine list at Del Frisco's Grille feels like a greatest-hits playlist of California cabernet — familiar, crowd-tested, and built for the business expense account crowd at 50 Rock. That's not a knock; it's just honest. What surprises you is that the prices aren't trying to rob you in a neighborhood that absolutely could get away with it.
The 200-300 bottle list leans hard into California with supporting roles from France and Italy — exactly what Wine Spectator flagged when they handed out the Best of Award of Excellence back in 2015, and the list has held that standard. You've got the full California cabinet: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Beringer Private Reserve, and Opus One for when someone's closing a deal. Louis Jadot represents France without much depth behind it, and Italy feels like an afterthought. The gaps are real — if you want Rhône, Willamette, or anything from the Southern Hemisphere, you're out of luck.
Twenty to thirty-five pours by the glass is genuinely strong for a steakhouse format, and the range at $14–$30 a glass covers everything from a La Crema Pinot for the table skeptic to a Far Niente Cabernet for someone who means business. The Wednesday half-price wine night is a legitimately good deal — drop in mid-week and a $28 Far Niente glass becomes $14, which is the kind of math that makes dinner feel justified.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma 2020 — $22
Jordan by the glass at $22 in Midtown Manhattan is a genuine win. This is a $40+ bottle retail, from one of Sonoma's most reliable names, and it holds its own against anything on this list twice the price.
Château St. Jean Cinq Cépages 2019
Most people here are chasing the Opus One flex or defaulting to Caymus, which means Cinq Cépages at $16 a glass gets overlooked. It's a Bordeaux-style Sonoma blend with actual structure and age-worthiness — the most interesting pour on the list that nobody orders.
Opus One 2018
At $65 a glass it's not egregious for Opus One, but you're paying for the name on a busy Tuesday night in a lively dining room. The wine deserves better than ambient noise and a rushed pour — save it for somewhere that will actually let it breathe.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 + Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye
Duckhorn's Napa Cab at $24 a glass has the dark fruit and structured tannins to stand up to a dry-aged ribeye without either one bullying the other. It's the kind of pairing that doesn't need explaining — it just works.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — applies to wine pours and potentially bottles; confirm with staff on your visit.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Del Frisco's Grille isn't pushing boundaries, but it's doing the fundamentals right — fair prices, a solid California-forward list, and a Wednesday half-price program that's worth putting in the calendar. Send a friend here if they want reliable, accessible wine without getting gouged in Midtown.
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
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Otay Ranch Town Center · Chula Vista · American
BJ's is a fine place to drink a craft beer and eat a Pizookie. It is not a place to drink wine. Order a Brewhouse Blonde, skip the wine list entirely, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SanTan Village · Gilbert · American
The Cheesecake Factory is a perfectly fine place to eat — the wine list just isn't a reason to go. Order a cocktail, split a bottle of Santa Margherita if you must, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.