Kevin Rathbun Steak

The wine list at Kevin Rathbun Steak reads like a steakhouse that did its homework — there's real thought here, not just the usual Cabs-and-Chards safety net. You get sparkling, rosé, white, red, and a dedicated reserve-by-the-glass section, which at least signals someone cared enough to organize this thing. It won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you either.

The list leans heavily on the by-the-glass program — 25 options spanning Champagne to Chablis to Napa Cab — which is genuinely impressive for a steakhouse format. There are some legitimately interesting choices tucked in: a Chateau Le Puy Bordeaux blend, a Lemelson Riesling from the Willamette, and a Sancerre from Domaine Des Grosses Pierres give the list some personality beyond the obvious. The Italian contingent is small but decent — De Vinosalvo Levitas Sangiovese 2018 and the Fattoria di Sammontana Chianti keep things honest on that front. Where it falls short is depth: if you want to go deep on Burgundy, Barolo, or explore anything truly off the beaten path, this list hits a wall fast.

Twenty-five by-the-glass options is a lot, and the range from $12 to $80 a glass means there's something for the budget-conscious table and the celebratory splurge alike. The reserve section — anchored by the Shafer Hillside Select 2018 at the high end — gives the program a premium tier that most steakhouses handle with a bottle list instead. That said, without a clear rotation cadence, there's a real risk some of these pours are sitting longer than they should.