California hits, Tampa prices, no surprises
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Reviewed April 12, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Élevage reads like a greatest-hits compilation of California wine — the names everyone recognizes, presented in a warm, candlelit room that wants badly to be your favorite upscale neighborhood spot. It's confident and comfortable, which is both its strength and its ceiling. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2023, and honestly, you can see why — the list is curated, not lazy.
The backbone here is California, full stop. Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Cakebread — these are the reliable workhorses of the American steakhouse canon, and Élevage leans into them without apology. The 150-250 bottle count suggests some depth, but the producer lineup skews toward the recognizable rather than the revelatory. Don't come here hunting for a Paso Robles field blend or a skin-contact Chenin — this list is built for the diner who already knows what they like and wants to find it in a nicer glass. What's missing is any meaningful old-world presence or adventurous domestic outliers to keep wine-curious guests on their toes.
With 20-35 by-the-glass options, there's genuine range here — more than most restaurants in Tampa bother to offer. The program pulls from the bottle list's California focus, so expect Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and Duckhorn Merlot to anchor the whites and reds respectively. Whether the pours rotate with any meaningful frequency is unclear, but the sheer count means you can work your way through a few different bottles without committing to one.
Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay — $12
If this is landing anywhere near the bottom of the by-the-glass price range, it's the smart order — a well-made Russian River Ranches Chard that consistently overdelivers on name recognition without the Silver Oak price tag.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Jordan gets overshadowed by flashier Napa names, but it's one of the most food-friendly Cabs in California — lower alcohol, elegant structure, and it doesn't demand a dry-aged ribeye to show well. Most tables walk right past it.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and everywhere it's marked up. At a restaurant operating at these price points, you're paying a premium for a bottle you could find at Total Wine for considerably less. The name does the heavy lifting; the wine stopped earning it years ago.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot + Dry-aged steak
Duckhorn Merlot has the structure to hold up to a well-marbled dry-aged cut without the tannin assault of a full-throttle Cab — it's the move when you want the steak to stay the star.
The Bottom Line
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.
Water Street · Tampa · Seafood, Steakhouse
Driftlight is doing something real here — a dedicated sommelier, a properly sized list, and a Wine Spectator credential earned in its first year of eligibility. Pricing will run hotel-restaurant steep, but if you're eating on Tampa's Water Street and want a bottle that was actually chosen by someone who cares, this is your best bet in the neighborhood.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· 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
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
Hudson Yards · New York · American, Seasonal
A hotel restaurant whose list opens with a 13-pour glass page and then moves through Champagne, Burgundy, Austria and other regions. Start with the $29 Prager Grüner Veltliner or the $24 Do Ferreiro Albariño by the glass alongside the chilled oysters, and confirm current pricing since the list is dated 09.30.26. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Lovejoy Wharf · Boston · American, Seasonal
A compact glass list and a bottle list sorted by mood instead of grape, with a $55 floor and a few real splurges at the top. Start with the $55 Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages or the $63 Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon, and confirm availability because the bottle list is dated 4.19.26. This unrated guide covers the posted wine and drinks lists, not service, storage or markups.
Millcreek Canyon · Salt Lake City · American, Seasonal
A wide-ranging list that posts names and vintages but almost no prices. Try the Kranso Belo by the glass, or the Longoria "Lovely Rita" Pinot Noir with the elk loin, and ask your server what each costs. The page is undated apart from the 1998 - 2024 award badge, so confirm availability. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
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
