Old-School Steakhouse, Wine List to Match
French Quarter · New Orleans · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed February 19, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list reads like every high-end steakhouse playbook: heavy Napa Cabs, token Bordeaux section, a few big-name Burgundies. It's designed to match the room—classic, expensive, safe. Nothing here will surprise you, but nothing will embarrass you either.
The list leans predictably into California Cabernet—Silver Oak, Caymus, Jordan—alongside trophy Bordeaux like Pichon-Longueville and Lynch-Bages. There's a respectable Burgundy section with Jadot and Louis Latour holdings, plus a token Italian presence (Antinori, Gaja). The problem isn't what's here, it's what's missing: no interesting Rhône Valley depth, minimal Oregon or Washington representation, and almost nothing adventurous. For a restaurant charging $140+ per entrée, the wine program plays it disappointingly safe.
The glass pour lineup likely mirrors the bottle list philosophy—recognizable names at premium prices. Expect a Jordan Cabernet around $22, maybe a Sonoma-Coast Chardonnay in the high teens, and a Malbec to appease the "something different" crowd. Rotation appears minimal—these aren't weekly discoveries, they're set-it-and-forget-it anchors.
Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon — $85
Delivers serious Napa character without the $200 ego trip—dark fruit, structure, and polish that'll stand up to that Porterhouse
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge
If they stock it, this Provence red is the sleeper—earthy Mourvèdre that cuts through steak fat better than another Napa bruiser
Caymus Special Selection
At likely $350+, you're paying for the name and the purple velvet bottle bag—drink the Crossbarn and pocket $250
Château Lynch-Bages Pauillac + Chateaubriand (20 oz. tenderloin)
Classic French beef meets classic Bordeaux—the wine's cassis and cedar frame the tenderloin's richness without overwhelming it
✔️ The Bottom Line
It's a solid, professional wine program that does exactly what a New Orleans steakhouse should do—pair expensive bottles with expensive beef. Just don't expect adventure or value. Come here when someone else is paying.
New Orleans · New Orleans · American, Steakhouse
Chemin a La Mer is a solid steakhouse wine list wearing a French accent — dependable, occasionally exciting, and priced for the occasion rather than the adventurous drinker. If you're here for the river views and a bone-in cut, the wine list will take care of you without surprises.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bywater · New Orleans · American, Creole
The Country Club is a genuinely wild New Orleans experience that happens to have a respectable, fairly priced wine list attached — and that's more than most places with a pool and a clothing policy can say. Send a friend here for the vibe, tell them to order the Riesling with the shrimp and grits, and let the afternoon take care of itself.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
French Quarter · New Orleans · Creole, French
Tableau is a reliable, well-curated stop for serious wine drinkers who also want one of the better dining rooms in the French Quarter. The list earns its Wine Spectator nod — just keep an eye on which bottles you're reaching for if the check matters.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter / Riverfront · New Orleans · Creole
Miss River earns its Wine Spectator nod — this is a genuinely thoughtful list tucked inside a hotel restaurant, with a real sommelier and real producers backing it up. Markup keeps it from being a destination for the wine alone, but paired with the food, it's one of the better all-in dining experiences on the river.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Warehouse District · New Orleans · Regional
Meril is a reliable wine destination in a city that doesn't always take its wine lists seriously — with a real sommelier, a credible California-France selection, and fair pricing, it earns its Award of Excellence the honest way. Send a friend here, tell them to look past the obvious Napa picks, and let Lauren Briley's list do the rest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
French Quarter · New Orleans · French, European
MaMou is a Burgundy love letter set inside a French Quarter bistro, and for the right diner — someone who wants to eat duck confit and drink Drouhin — it absolutely delivers. Just know what you're walking into: a focused, France-first list with prices that reflect it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Abilene · Steakhouse
Cattleman's Exchange isn't a wine destination, but it's not a disaster either — it's a hotel steakhouse doing hotel steakhouse things. If you're in Abilene and need a Cab with your beef, you'll find something that works; just don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Springfield · Steakhouse
LongHorn Springfield isn't a wine destination — but with markups this low and pours this affordable, it's one of the better casual chain options in Illinois for a simple red with a big steak. Send a friend here for dinner; just don't tell them to geek out over the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Frontera · Round Rock · Steakhouse
Saltgrass Round Rock is exactly what it looks like: a chain steakhouse wine list on autopilot, built around brand names, sweet crowd-pleasers, and markups that assume you're not paying attention. Order a beer or a cocktail and save the wine for somewhere that actually cares.
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.