Corporate Wine List Phones It In
Tampa · Asian Fusion · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Kona Grill - Tampa’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Kona Grill feels like it was printed in 2012 and never updated. We're talking corporate chain vibes through and through—safe California Cabs, predictable Pinot Grigios, and the kind of selections you'd find at any mall restaurant from here to Seattle. Nothing here suggests anyone's actually thinking about how wine might complement miso-glazed sea bass or macadamia nut chicken.
The list leans heavily on recognizable brands that won't offend anyone: think Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, 14 Hands, and maybe a token Willamette Valley Pinot if you're lucky. Old World representation is minimal—probably a Chianti and a Spanish Tempranillo somewhere in the mix. No sake depth despite the Asian fusion angle, which is a missed opportunity. The selections feel like they were chosen by a purchasing department three states away, not by anyone who's tasted through the menu. Zero natural wines, minimal small producers, and nothing that suggests this list has evolved in the past decade.
Glass pours stick to the greatest hits: a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, maybe a Cabernet. We're guessing 6-8 options total, all playing the middle of the road. Don't expect rotation or seasonal changes—these bottles are permanent fixtures. The pours themselves are probably adequate in volume but forgettable in character, served in stemless tumblers that do nothing for aromatics.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — $32
Not because it's exciting, but because it's hard to screw up and won't break the bank in a markup environment
A.to.Z Wineworks Oregon Pinot Noir
If it's on the list, it's one of the few bottles with actual character—good acid, real fruit, drinks above its weight class
Any Cabernet Sauvignon over $60
Chain restaurant markup on grocery store bottles—you're paying $75 for a $20 wine you can grab at Publix
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc + Macadamia Nut Chicken
The citrus and tropical notes can handle the sweet-savory glaze without getting steamrolled
The Bottom Line
This is a wine list that exists because restaurants are supposed to have wine lists, not because anyone cares. Order a cocktail or bring your own if they allow corkage—your palate will thank you.
· Tampa · Steakhouse
Bern's is a legend for a reason, and even this sparkling-focused slice of its list shows a house that genuinely cares about what's in the glass. The grower Champagne presence alone makes it worth a visit — just steer clear of the Korbel section and spend a few extra dollars where it counts.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Tampa · Tampa · American
The Rez Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the casino steakhouse thing better than it has any obligation to — a real sommelier, a Thursday half-price night, and a list that knows its lane. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and leave before you hit the slots.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Élevage is the kind of place that does California wine correctly without doing anything unexpected with it — the list is dependable, the setting earns it, and the Wine Spectator nod is deserved. Send a friend here if they love Napa Cab and a good steak; redirect the wine geeks to somewhere with more range.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Shore · Tampa · American, Steakhouse
Union delivers a reliable, California-heavy wine list that makes sense for a buzzy Tampa steakhouse with rooftop ambitions — just don't come looking for surprises. Send a client here; take a wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Tampa · Tampa · Seafood, Floridian
Ulele is a great restaurant that happens to have a competent wine list — not a wine destination that happens to serve great food. If you're in town for the waterfront, the smoked mullet dip, and a solid glass of California Chardonnay, you'll leave happy; just don't expect the list to keep up with the ambition of the kitchen. Wednesday's half-price wine night is genuinely worth planning around.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Water Street · Tampa · American, French
Boulon is a reliable wine stop in Tampa's growing Water Street corridor — the list is curated enough to respect, even if it rarely surprises. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well; just don't send the friend who's hoping to find something they've never heard of.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Aspen · Asian Fusion
Jing isn't a wine destination, but the list is smarter than the room gives it credit for — an Alsace and Austria-leaning selection that actually makes sense with the food is worth acknowledging. Just go in knowing the markups reflect the zip code, not the pour.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Asian Fusion
Tenku Avenue gets the format right — all glass, no bottle minimums — but the list itself plays it too safe for a kitchen that presumably takes more risks than this. Go in knowing what you want, grab the Acrobat or the Blank Stare, and don't let anyone upsell you into the Belle Glos.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Helena / Cedar Street corridor · Helena · Asian Fusion
Mustard Seed Helena isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it doesn't need to be — it's a solid neighborhood spot with a California-forward list that works with the food and won't wreck your bill. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink reasonably well, not remarkably well.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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