Il Venetian
Italy Goes Deep, Markups Go Higher
West Side · Cleveland · Italian, Steakhouse, Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Il Venetian lands with real weight — over 200 bottles organized by Italian region, with Tre Venezie, Bolgheri, and Piedmont each getting their own section. This isn't a steakhouse wine list that accidentally has some Chianti; someone actually thought about this. The Italian focus feels intentional and earned.
Selection Deep Dive
The Italian backbone is the clear strength here — you've got Amarone della Valpolicella representing the Veneto, Frescobaldi's Luce 'Lucente' flying the flag for Modern Tuscany, and solid Bordeaux and U.S. sections rounding things out for guests who won't budge on their Cab. The regional breakdown — Tre Venezie through Piedmont — shows more geographic literacy than most Italian restaurants in Cleveland manage. Gaps exist on the natural wine front and anything particularly adventurous from Southern Italy, but for a place positioning itself as upscale Italian-American, the depth is genuinely respectable. Just don't expect anything that'll make you forget about the markup.
By the Glass
Twenty-plus pours across sparkling, white, rosé, and red is a legitimately strong by-the-glass program — most restaurants at this price point offer half that. The range runs from the Roederer Estate sparkling at $12 to En Route Pinot Noir at $25, giving you real options at different spend levels. The problem is the pricing math: several of these pours are running 200–250% over retail, so that generous selection comes at a cost.
Campuget 1753 Syrah Rosé Rhône FR — $13
At 154% markup, it's the least aggressive pricing on the glass list, and a Rhône rosé with some Syrah structure actually holds up to the richer pasta dishes here. It's also just a good pour for $13.
2018 Frescobaldi Luce 'Lucente' Tuscany IT
Most guests are going to reach for the Cab or the Amarone, but Lucente — a Sangiovese-Merlot blend from one of Tuscany's best estates — is the kind of wine that rewards the curious diner. It's got structure and fruit without the full Brunello price tag.
En Route Pinot Noir Russian River CA
At $25 a glass against a $60 retail price, you're looking at a 240% markup on a wine that's already priced as a premium Pinot. That math doesn't work in your favor — order a bottle of something Italian instead.
Amarone della Valpolicella + Veal Parmigiana
Amarone's dried-grape intensity and grippy tannins need something with weight and richness to push back — Veal Parm, with its tomato acidity and savory depth, is exactly that. It's a classic Veneto pairing and it earns its place on this menu.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Il Venetian has a wine list that genuinely respects Italian wine culture, and for Cleveland, that's saying something. The markups are real and worth factoring into your budget — but if you pick carefully, there's a solid night of drinking to be had here.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.