Lidia's Italy, Transplanted to Kansas City
Crossroads Arts District · Kansas City · Italian-American · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Lidia'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
The wine list at Lidia's KC arrives with the confidence of a Bastianich family name behind it — and it mostly delivers. Italy leads the charge, which makes sense, and the 150-plus label count feels substantial without being overwhelming. What tempers the excitement is the pricing, which trends toward the generous side of restaurant math throughout.
The Italian backbone is legitimately good: Friuli gets proper representation through Bastianich's own house labels, Tuscany shows up with the Antinori Il Bruciato, and there's a Barolo from La Spinona for anyone ready to go deep. Napa sneaks in with a Paul Hobbs 2019 Cabernet and an Antinori Napa Cab from 2016, which feels a little like the kitchen hedging toward crowd-pleasing American palates. France makes a quiet appearance via Philipponnat Champagne, which is a thoughtful inclusion. The gaps are in the Southern Italian and natural wine directions — if you're hunting Campania, Sicilia, or anything skin-contact, you'll come up short.
Eighteen by-the-glass options is a genuinely strong number for Kansas City, running $11 to $24 a pour. The Bastianich Prosecco Flor Rosé anchors the sparkling end and is an easy opener. We'd like to see more rotation through the Italian regions — right now the glass program feels like it could be doing more work for the list.
Antinori Il Bruciato — $45
At 80% over retail, it's not a steal, but it's the most reasonable markup on the list and it's a genuinely crowd-pleasing Bolgheri red that drinks well above its price class. Order this before the Vespa Rosso.
Langhe Nebbiolo Andrea Oberto
Baby Barolo energy at a fraction of the cost. Most tables walk right past this and head straight for the big Barolo — don't be most tables. This is where the real QPR lives on the Italian side of the list.
Prosecco Baldi
117% markup on a $18 retail bottle is hard to swallow. At $39 you're paying for bubbles that have no business being that expensive. The Bastianich Flor Rosé is only a few dollars more and is a meaningfully better pour.
Vespa Rosso Bastianich + Pappardelle Bolognese
The Vespa Rosso is a Friulian blend built around Refosco and Merlot — earthy, dark-fruited, and structured enough to stand up to a rich, long-braised Bolognese without steamrolling it. It's the most Italian handshake on the menu.
The Bottom Line
Lidia's KC is a reliable, Italian-forward list with enough depth to keep a wine-curious table busy — just know that you're paying a premium for the name and the room. Go in with a target bottle in mind and you'll eat and drink very well.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
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Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
Ocean Casino Resort · Atlantic City · Italian-American
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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