California Dreams With a Manhattan Skyline
Jersey City · Seafood, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Maddy Rose’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're sitting waterfront with the Manhattan skyline glittering across the Hudson, live jazz in the background, and a wine list that arrives looking confident. Flip it open and the California Greatest Hits parade begins immediately — Caymus, Silver Oak, Rombauer, all present and accounted for. It's a list that knows its audience and plays directly to them, which is either comforting or predictable depending on your mood.
This is a California steakhouse list through and through, and Maddy Rose earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence by doing that lane well. Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Cakebread — the producers are legitimate and the 100-150 bottle range gives you enough to navigate without feeling overwhelmed. What's missing is any meaningful departure: no Burgundy to speak of, no Rhône, no interesting Italian, nothing that challenges the comfort zone. If you came hoping a waterfront seafood menu might inspire some Muscadet or Grüner Veltliner, you'll be redirected back to Chardonnay from Sonoma — which, honestly, could be worse.
With 12-18 pours on offer, the by-the-glass program is workable and covers the major bases — Chardonnay, Cabernet, probably a rosé for the skyline crowd. The selections mirror the bottle list, so don't expect any curveballs here. No rotation program we can find, which means what you see is what you get, night after night.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $90
Jordan consistently punches above its restaurant markup bracket — it's an elegant, food-friendly Cab that doesn't demand your full attention the way a bolder bottle might, making it the right call alongside a steak without blowing up your dinner bill relative to the alternatives on this list.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cab, and that's exactly why you should pivot to the Duckhorn Merlot. It's a serious Napa wine from a producer who helped rehabilitate the grape's reputation — supple, structured, and better with seafood-adjacent dishes than anything else on this list.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, which means restaurants everywhere know they can charge a premium for the name recognition. At a waterfront venue with this kind of overhead, expect a markup that makes the bottle a poor value relative to what else is available — the wine is fine, but you're paying for the label.
Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay + Fresh Seafood
Sonoma-Cutrer is built for this exact scenario — enough body and oak to hold its own at a dressed-up dinner table, but crisp enough that it doesn't steamroll a plate of fresh seafood. It's the obvious call here for good reason.
The Bottom Line
Maddy Rose is a reliable pick for a special night out with the view doing heavy lifting — the wine list won't surprise you, but it won't embarrass you either. Send your friends here knowing they'll drink decent California wine against one of the best backdrops in Jersey City.
· Jersey City · Japanese
For a Japanese lounge with a 21-bottle list, Stingray is doing more work than it has any reason to. The Grüner, the Loire whites, and that Grand Cru Champagne are all legitimate finds at prices that won't sting. If you're nearby and want something better than the usual sushi-spot house white, this is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · Italian
Laico's has been doing this for over 30 years, and the wine list isn't why people keep coming back — the Chicken Francese and the neighborhood warmth are. If you're looking for a deep cellar or adventurous pours, this isn't your spot. But if you want a solid glass of something Italian to wash down a classic red-sauce dinner without getting gouged, Laico's delivers exactly what it promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Amanda's isn't going to make a wine lover's heart race, but it's doing the honest work: fair prices, enough variety to match a proper New American menu, and a by-the-glass program deep enough to drink your way through a multi-course meal without getting stuck. If you're in Jersey City and want a reliable bottle without a markup argument, this list delivers.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · American Bistro
Court Street's wine list is functional and fair — no embarrassing markups, a couple of genuinely good pours hiding among the Coastal Ridge, and glass prices that won't wreck your dinner tab. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but it's a perfectly fine neighborhood spot where you can drink the Rioja or the Sancerre and have a good night. Send your friends here for dinner; just steer them away from the mystery Champagne.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jersey City · Jersey City · Italian
Il Tavolo isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's a reliable Italian spot with fair pours, sensible pricing, and enough range to keep the table happy. If you're in Jersey City and want a glass of Chianti that won't cost you a car payment, this is a safe and honest bet.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Jersey City · New American
Anthony David's wine list is reliable without being exciting — it does the job for a casual dinner without making you work too hard or feel gouged at the lower price points. The by-the-glass program is legitimately strong for a list this size, and the Crémant de Loire is a smart pour. If you're a wine-first diner, this isn't your destination, but if you're coming for a neighborhood meal and want a decent glass to go with it, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Georgetown · Washington · Seafood, Steakhouse
An unpriced list that is easier to read for what it offers than for what it costs. If you want Bordeaux, ask for the 2020 Margaux de Brane Cantenac, or look at the Brunello di Montalcino in Sommelier's Selections, and get the price before you commit. This unrated guide covers the posted Beverage Menu, not service, storage or markups.
Back Bay · Boston · Seafood, Steakhouse
A beverage book that covers a lot more than California: 19 glass pours up front, then Napa, Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhône and Piedmont behind them. If you are spending, look at the Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay at $175; if you are not, the Zlatan Otok Plavac Mali is the lowest-priced full bottle at $39. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks list, not service, storage or markups.
Bend · Bend · Seafood, Steakhouse
Brickhouse posts a steakhouse list with a long Washington Cabernet section and 6 oz glass pours from $12. Start with the $12 Green Wing Cabernet by the glass, or step up to the Eyrie Estate Pinot Noir at 85 for a bottle; if you are spending, the Quilceda Creek Cabernets in the Washington section run 425 to 475. Confirm today's availability and prices; 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
