Steakhouse Wine List Without the Pretense
Orlando · Orlando · American
Reviewed February 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
RusTeak's wine list reads like a steakhouse playbook—California Cabs, a few token Pinots, some international heavyweights for the expense account crowd. Nothing here will shock you, but nothing will embarrass you either. It's the kind of list where you know exactly what you're getting before you flip the page.
The list skews heavily toward New World reds, with Napa and Sonoma dominating the Cab section and Argentina handling the value tier with Malbecs. There's a respectable showing from Washington State—expect Columbia Valley standards like Chateau Ste. Michelle and L'Ecole No. 41. The white section feels like an afterthought: a couple Chardonnays, some Sauvignon Blanc, maybe a Pinot Grigio for those who insist. Old World gets a token Bordeaux or two and possibly a Chianti, but this isn't where you come for Burgundy or Rhône exploration.
By-the-glass pours lean safe: a house Cab, a buttery Chardonnay, maybe a Malbec for the value-conscious. Rotation seems minimal—these are set-it-and-forget-it selections designed not to confuse the steak-and-potato crowd. Pours are generous enough, but don't expect anything adventurous or seasonal hitting the glass lineup.
Catena Malbec, Mendoza — $42
Reliable Argentine punch without the Napa markup—dark fruit and enough structure for ribeye
L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon, Columbia Valley
If they have it, this Washington white drinks way above its weight—waxy texture and stone fruit that works with scallops or pork
Any Napa Cab over $90
Steakhouse markups hit hardest here—you're paying 3-4x retail for recognizable labels
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot + Grilled ribeye with herb butter
Washington Merlot's softer tannins and dark cherry notes let the beef shine without fighting for attention
✔️ The Bottom Line
RusTeak plays it safe and charges accordingly. Come for the steak, order a mid-tier bottle, and you'll leave happy but not enlightened.
Winter Park · Orlando · Greek, Mediterranean
AVA MediterrAegean earns its Wine Spectator recognition by doing something genuinely rare in Florida: building a Greek-forward wine program with real depth and the staff to back it up. If you're eating here and not exploring the Greek section, you're missing the whole point.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Orlando · Orlando · French, Regional
The Boheme is the best wine list in the kind of restaurant Downtown Orlando needs more of — it's not groundbreaking, but it's honest, properly focused, and worthy of its Wine Spectator recognition. Send your friends here for a date night, order the Chablis to start, and resist the urge to default to Caymus.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
International Drive · Orlando · Brazilian Churrascaria
Texas de Brazil isn't a wine destination, but it's a smarter wine program than the I-Drive zip code would suggest, and Wednesday's half-price bottles make it a legitimate value play. Come for the meat, stay for the Achaval Ferrer.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Grande Lakes · Orlando · Italian, Mediterranean
Primo is a resort restaurant that takes its wine list seriously enough to back it up with a real sommelier and a WS credential — which puts it well ahead of most hotel dining rooms. Pricing is what it is in this zip code, but the Italian backbone and capable staff make it a genuinely good wine dinner if you pick smart.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Lake Nona · Orlando · Japanese
Nami is the kind of surprise that earns its Wine Spectator badge — a Japanese restaurant in Lake Nona that treats French wine with genuine seriousness, backed by a knowledgeable staff member who can actually guide you through it. Markups keep it from being a steal, but if you're eating omakase anyway, ordering from this list is the right call.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Orlando · Orlando · Brazilian Churrascaria
Chima's wine list does its job: it gives a celebratory crowd recognizable bottles that hold up to a carnivore's parade. If you're after discovery or value-hunting, look elsewhere — but if you want a solid Cab with your carved meats in a room that feels like a party, this delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Otay Ranch Town Center · Chula Vista · American
BJ's is a fine place to drink a craft beer and eat a Pizookie. It is not a place to drink wine. Order a Brewhouse Blonde, skip the wine list entirely, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SanTan Village · Gilbert · American
The Cheesecake Factory is a perfectly fine place to eat — the wine list just isn't a reason to go. Order a cocktail, split a bottle of Santa Margherita if you must, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.