Napa's Greatest Hits, Akron Edition
Bath / Merriman Valley · Akron · Steakhouse / Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Lanning's Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Lanning's hands you a wine list that reads like a California greatest hits album — Caymus, Jordan, Rombauer, Stag's Leap. If you've been to any white-tablecloth steakhouse in the last 20 years, you already know these names. That's not a knock, exactly, but it does tell you everything you need to know about who this list is built for.
The 75-150 bottle range covers California and Napa heavily, with some French representation to give the list a little Old World credibility. Expect the usual Cab Sauv-forward lineup — Jordan and Stag's Leap for the classics crowd, Caymus for the people who learned about wine at a Cheesecake Factory. There's a Piatelli Malbec nod to Argentina and an Antinori Chianti Riserva keeping Italy from being completely shut out, but don't come here looking for a Beaujolais deep cut or anything off the beaten path. This is a list built to comfort, not to challenge.
The by-the-glass program runs 10-18 options and, credit where it's due, the pricing is surprisingly reasonable for a fine-dining room. At $10-$18 a pour, you're not getting gouged on glasses the way many steakhouses like to — Belle Glos 'Clark & Telephone' at $18 a glass is practically a gift compared to what other places charge. Rotation appears minimal; this feels like a set-it-and-forget-it program rather than something that changes with the seasons.
Belle Glos 'Clark & Telephone' Pinot Noir — $18/glass
This is a $45 retail bottle being poured at $18 a glass — that's a 140% glass markup, which by restaurant standards is almost charitable. Rich, fruit-forward Santa Maria Valley Pinot that holds its own against a filet. Drink two glasses and you're still ahead of where most steakhouses would have you.
Antinori Chianti Riserva
In a list dominated by California Cabs, this Chianti Riserva is the quiet outlier most tables walk right past. Antinori knows what they're doing — this is a proper Sangiovese with structure and acidity that actually cuts through a rich steak better than another jammy Napa Cab will. At $14 a glass it's undersold and underordered.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine. It's also the most ordered, most marked-up, most aggressively allocated wine in American steakhouses, and you're almost certainly paying a premium for the name recognition. Jordan and Stag's Leap are sitting right next to it on this list and will give you a more interesting pour for your money.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet Mignon
Jordan Cab is built for exactly this moment — it's structured without being overwhelming, and its Sonoma backbone doesn't bulldoze a delicate filet the way a bigger Napa Cab might. Classic move, yes, but classics become classics for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Lanning's isn't trying to reinvent the wine list wheel, and honestly it doesn't need to — the glass pricing is fair, the producers are reliable, and the Belle Glos pour alone is worth a visit. If you want adventure, look elsewhere; if you want a confident Cab with your prime rib in a room that knows what it is, Lanning's delivers.
Akron–Canton corridor · Akron · Upscale rustic Italian
The Bistro at Gervasi is a wildcard in the best sense — a full estate wine experience dropped into the middle of northeast Ohio, executed with more care than anyone from out of state would guess. Come curious, skip the cynicism, and let the Nebbiolo do its thing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bath / Ghent · Akron · Upscale American / Steakhouse
Ken Stewart's Lodge isn't here to challenge you — it's here to make sure your Napa Cab and your dry-aged steak show up exactly when you want them. Come on a Wednesday, order something from the Stag's Leap end of the list, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Bath / West Akron border · Akron · Upscale American Steakhouse with Seafood
Ken Stewart's isn't reinventing the steakhouse wine list, but it's executing the classic version with enough depth and care to earn your trust. Show up on a Wednesday, grab the Jordan or Far Niente at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Green / East Akron corridor · Akron · Steakhouse / American
Prime 93 is a perfectly serviceable steakhouse wine list that won't thrill anyone but won't embarrass the table either — fair prices, California-forward, and honest about what it is. Send a friend here for the steak; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montrose / Fairlawn · Akron · Seafood
Come for the seafood — the Shrimp & Grits and Crab Cake have genuine fans — but come on a Tuesday when the bottles are half off, because that's the only time the wine program makes financial sense. Any other night, order a cocktail.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
East Akron · Akron · Japanese / Hibachi
Hibachi Japan's wine list isn't going to make anyone's bucket list, but it's priced fairly, covers the basics, and won't embarrass you on date night. Order the Riesling or Pinot Gris, enjoy the show, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Rapid City · Steakhouse / Fine Dining
Delmonico Grill won't blow any wine nerds away, but the markups are fair, the glass program is broader than most South Dakota steakhouses bother with, and a few genuinely good producers sneak onto the list. Send a friend here for dinner — just steer them toward the Maysara or the Altocedro and away from the splits.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Square · Tyler · Steakhouse / Fine Dining
Jack Ryan's is a reliable steakhouse wine list in a pretty room — it'll get the job done, especially if you steer toward Jordan or Stag's Leap and avoid the Caymus trap. Don't come here expecting to discover anything, but you won't leave disappointed if you order smart.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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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