Jersey City's scrappy natural wine surprise
Downtown · Jersey City · Australian-influenced, Natural Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Frankie’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You don't expect to walk into a serious natural wine program on Grove Street, but Frankie makes a case for itself fast. The list skews Italian and antipodean, which is a strange combination that somehow works when you're staring at it over a plate of fish and chips. It feels curated, not accidental — someone here actually cares.
The list leans heavily Italian, with a soft spot for Piedmont — Nebbiolo from Langhe and Voghera show up, which tells you this isn't a supermarket grab. Tuscan representation comes via Chianti Superiore from Grati, a name serious enough to earn its place. The Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir blend is the kind of left-field pick that signals a buyer with actual taste. Gaps exist — the Australian influence that defines the kitchen doesn't translate as deeply onto the wine list as you'd hope, but what's here is honest, low-intervention juice.
Specific by-the-glass counts and prices aren't published, which is a minor frustration for walk-ins trying to plan their night. Based on the list and the restaurant's natural wine identity, expect rotating pours that reflect the bottle list rather than a static house-wine setup. If the program holds true to form, even the glass pours should be worth asking about.
Chianti Superiore, Grati — null
Grati is a solid Chianti producer making wine that regularly drinks above its price class — in a natural wine bar context, this is the bottle that gets you the most per dollar and works with nearly everything on the menu.
Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir Blend
Most people at Frankie are probably ordering Nebbiolo or Chianti and sleeping on this. Vini Verso works in the Colli Tortonesi with grapes that rarely make it onto American wine lists — 'Sclopit' is a genuine find and exactly the kind of thing a natural wine bar should be pouring.
Nebbiolo, Voghera
Not a bad wine by any means, but Nebbiolo from Voghera at a casual Australian restaurant is a commitment — it needs time and the right moment. Unless you're deep into the meal and ready to sit with it, the 'Sclopit' blend does more work for less patience required.
Chianti Superiore, Grati + Seasonal Pasta
Chianti and pasta is a cliché for a reason — it works. Grati's Chianti Superiore has enough acidity to cut through rich sauces without steamrolling lighter preparations, making it the most adaptable bottle on the list for whatever Frankie's kitchen is running seasonal.
The Bottom Line
Frankie is a genuinely surprising wine program hiding inside a casual downtown spot, and the Italian-leaning natural wine list punches well above the Grove Street zip code. If you're in Jersey City and care about what's in your glass, this is where you go.
· 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
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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