Parisian Bistro Comfort With a Solid French Cellar
Upper West Side · New York · French · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed French Roast’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at French Roast reads like a greatest-hits tour of France — no detours, no surprises, just the classics you actually want to drink with a croque monsieur at midnight. It's focused and honest, which is more than you can say for most neighborhood bistros in this city. Wine Spectator has been handing this place an Award of Excellence since 2005, and you can see why — it does exactly what it promises.
The list is tightly curated around France, which makes sense given the whole Parisian bistro thing isn't just an aesthetic here. Burgundy anchors the red side with Louis Jadot and Joseph Drouhin doing reliable work, while the Bordeaux corner brings some genuine weight via Château Léoville-Barton and Château Pichon-Longueville — real names, not supermarket fillers. Loire Valley whites (Sancerre, Muscadet) and Alsatian Riesling and Gewurztraminer cover the white side with regional integrity. The Rhône gets its moment too, from easy-drinking Côtes du Rhône up to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so there's actual range even within the France-only lane.
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass at $9–$16 is a respectable spread for a bistro at this price point. Expect the usual French suspects — a Côtes du Rhône, a Sancerre, maybe a Champagne option from Moët or Veuve to kick things off. The rotation doesn't appear to change much, but when the anchors are solid, that's not necessarily a knock.
Côtes du Rhône — $35
Entry-level bottles from the Rhône punch above their weight here, and at the lower end of the bottle range, this is the move for a relaxed weeknight dinner without overthinking it.
Alsatian Riesling
Most people walk past Alsace on a bistro list and go straight for the Sancerre. Don't. Alsatian Riesling is a natural with the richer French preparations on the menu and it tends to be underordered, which means staff are often willing to talk it through with you.
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve is fine Champagne, but it's also one of the most marked-up labels in any restaurant context. You're paying for the yellow label recognition, not the juice. If you want bubbles, ask what else is available by the glass.
Château Léoville-Barton + Coq Au Vin
The structured tannins and dark fruit of a Saint-Julien like Léoville-Barton stand up to the braised richness of the coq au vin without steamrolling it — this is the kind of match that makes you remember why French wine and French food evolved together.
The Bottom Line
French Roast isn't trying to reinvent the wine list, and it doesn't need to — it's a dependable, well-sourced French cellar at fair prices in a neighborhood that needs more of exactly this. Send a friend here and tell them to skip the Veuve.
NoHo · New York · Italian
Il Buco has one of the most compelling Italian wine lists in New York City — deep, principled, and staffed by people who actually care. The markup is real, so budget accordingly, but this is a room worth splurging in.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Downtown is a place where people order Champagne to celebrate, not to drink — and the wine program is built accordingly. If you're here for the vibe and someone else is paying, pop the Dom and enjoy it; if you actually care about what's in your glass, you're in the wrong room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Upscale Seafood & Steakhouse
Three happy hour wines do not a wine program make. Ocean Prime is a place you eat well and drink safely — but if wine is a priority, this list will let you down before the bread basket arrives.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Midtown · New York · Steakhouse
STK Midtown is a great place to see and be seen, but the wine list is there to pad the check, not to excite you. If you're here for the experience, lean on the cocktails or grab a glass of Bonanza at the bar — don't expect the bottle list to reward any real curiosity.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
Georgetown · Washington · French
Lutèce is a strong place to explore French wine with a firm budget in mind. The posted list runs from a $64 Southern Rhône red to $600 Champagne, so tell Chris Ray what you want to spend and let that guide the conversation. Confirm prices and availability when you book or arrive.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Paso Robles · French
Cépage is a destination restaurant in a destination wine region — the kind of place you plan a Saturday around, not somewhere you stumble into. The wine program appears honest to its terroir and purpose, though pricing at this caliber of operation rarely favors the guest. If you're already out on Highway 46 with a reservation in hand, you're likely going to have a very good time; just don't arrive expecting a sprawling global list or a killer value-hunting opportunity.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Weston · Weston · French
The Left Bank is the rare small-town wine program that genuinely surprises you — not by accident, but because someone with real taste built it. If you're driving through Vermont and need a reason to stop in Weston, this list is it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
