Hotel wine list that earns its keep
Newport · Jersey City · American Grill and Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated October 2026
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Fire & Oak – Westin Jersey City Newport’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Fire & Oak reads exactly like what it is: a polished hotel restaurant that wants to keep everyone comfortable and no one challenged. California heavyweights line up in neat rows, prices are predictably inflated, and the whole thing feels like it was assembled by committee. That said, the hits are real — these are good bottles, just not bargains.
The list leans hard into California, and if you're eating a wood-fired steak in a Westin, that's probably fine. Duckhorn Merlot, Rombauer Chardonnay, and Jordan Cabernet are the kind of names that sell themselves without any explanation needed from the server — which is convenient, because deep wine knowledge doesn't appear to be a house specialty here. There's no real reach toward Burgundy, Rhône, or anything that might raise an eyebrow, and the broader New World selections feel like afterthoughts rather than a genuine program. What you get is a comfortable greatest-hits playlist with no deep cuts.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass keeps things moving, and the $12–$18 range lands where you'd expect for a hotel bar with a Manhattan-adjacent address. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority — this is a set-and-forget situation — but the quality level of what's on offer is at least respectable. Just don't expect anything off the beaten path.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $100
Jordan punches above its weight class as a consistently reliable Alexander Valley Cab — structured, food-friendly, and recognizable enough that you know what you're getting. At the top end of this list's bottle range, it's the closest thing to fair value given the markup environment.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Merlot still gets unfairly skipped by people who haven't moved on from 2004. Duckhorn's Napa bottling is genuinely serious wine — plush, structured, and built for exactly the kind of wood-fired red meat on this menu. Most tables will pass it over for the Cab and miss out.
Rombauer Chardonnay, Carneros
Rombauer is everywhere, everyone knows it, and hotel restaurants love charging a premium for that familiarity. You're paying a significant markup on a bottle your grocery store stocks — save it for a night when someone else is buying.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley + Wood-Fired Steak
Duckhorn Merlot's dark fruit and soft tannins cut through char and fat without overwhelming the meat — it's a more elegant play than the obvious Cabernet move and makes the whole plate taste more intentional.
The Bottom Line
Fire & Oak is a reliable port in a storm — decent bottles, familiar names, prices that sting but won't shock you. If you're already staying at the Westin or catching a meal before the PATH, you could do worse; just don't make a special trip for the wine list.
· Jersey City · Japanese
For a Japanese lounge with a 21-bottle list, Stingray is doing more work than it has any reason to. The Grüner, the Loire whites, and that Grand Cru Champagne are all legitimate finds at prices that won't sting. If you're nearby and want something better than the usual sushi-spot house white, this is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · Italian
Laico's has been doing this for over 30 years, and the wine list isn't why people keep coming back — the Chicken Francese and the neighborhood warmth are. If you're looking for a deep cellar or adventurous pours, this isn't your spot. But if you want a solid glass of something Italian to wash down a classic red-sauce dinner without getting gouged, Laico's delivers exactly what it promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Amanda's isn't going to make a wine lover's heart race, but it's doing the honest work: fair prices, enough variety to match a proper New American menu, and a by-the-glass program deep enough to drink your way through a multi-course meal without getting stuck. If you're in Jersey City and want a reliable bottle without a markup argument, this list delivers.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · American Bistro
Court Street's wine list is functional and fair — no embarrassing markups, a couple of genuinely good pours hiding among the Coastal Ridge, and glass prices that won't wreck your dinner tab. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but it's a perfectly fine neighborhood spot where you can drink the Rioja or the Sancerre and have a good night. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them away from the mystery Champagne.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jersey City · Jersey City · Italian
Il Tavolo isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's a reliable Italian spot with fair pours, sensible pricing, and enough range to keep the table happy. If you're in Jersey City and want a glass of Chianti that won't cost you a car payment, this is a safe and honest bet.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Anthony David's wine list is reliable without being exciting — it does the job for a casual dinner without making you work too hard or feel gouged at the lower price points. The by-the-glass program is legitimately strong for a list this size, and the Crémant de Loire is a smart pour. If you're a wine-first diner, this isn't your destination, but if you're coming for a neighborhood meal and want a decent glass to go with it, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hood River · Hood River · American Grill and Steakhouse
Three Rivers Grill has a wine list that earns its keep for a steakhouse in Hood River — the Pacific Northwest anchors are real and the name-brand Walla Walla picks are impressive, but steep markups and sparse glassware intel keep this squarely in Reliable territory. Come for the steak and the river views, pick one of the Oregon or Washington bottles, and don't overthink the rest.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Rapid / Ramkota Hotel · Rapid City · American Grill and Steakhouse
Minervas is a perfectly competent wine program for a steakhouse in western South Dakota — it's not going to surprise you, but it won't let you down either. Hit the happy hour bar window, order the Malbec or the Cab with your steak, and call it a win.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
South Tyler · Tyler · American Grill and Steakhouse
Copper Grill is a reliable neighborhood spot that won't challenge you on wine — and that's fine, because it's not trying to. Send a friend here for a solid steak and a glass of something familiar, but remind them to skip the Caymus markup.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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