California and Italy Done Right in Lakewood
Lakewood · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed April 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Sarita a Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The list at Sarita arrives and immediately signals that someone here actually thought about wine. It's not a sprawling tome, but 100-plus bottles with a clear California-and-Italy backbone tells you the kitchen and the cellar are speaking the same language. For Lakewood, Ohio, this is genuinely impressive.
The California side leans hard into the classics — Stag's Leap, Jordan, and Duckhorn represent the Napa Cabernet lineup, which is a smart play for a crowd that wants familiarity with quality backing. Sonoma gets a nod through Meiomi and La Crema on the Pinot Noir side, though both skew a bit commercial for our taste. Italy is where the list quietly earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, with Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti Classico all present — that's genuine depth, not just a token Pinot Grigio. The gaps are real though: no serious Spanish, German, or Southern Hemisphere representation, and the French section appears to be an afterthought if it exists at all.
Ten to sixteen options by the glass is a reasonable spread, and the $10–$18 range keeps things accessible without scraping the bottom of the barrel. We'd love to see more of the Italian selections make it onto the glass pour menu rather than staying bottle-only, but what's here is functional and honestly priced.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $60
Jordan consistently punches above its weight as an approachable, food-friendly Napa-adjacent Cab, and at a fair restaurant markup it's the sweet spot on this list — recognizable enough for the table skeptic, good enough for the person who actually cares.
Pinot Grigio from Friuli or Alto Adige
Most tables will sleep on this in favor of something bigger and bolder, but a well-sourced Friulian or Alto Adige Pinot Grigio is a completely different animal from the flabby grocery-store stuff — crisp, mineral, and genuinely interesting. It's also the sleeper pairing for the lighter dishes on the menu.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a fine wine if you're buying it at Costco. On a restaurant list with Barolo in the wings, paying a markup on something this mass-market and sweet is hard to justify. Spend the extra few dollars and get the La Crema, or better yet, jump to the Italian side entirely.
Chianti Classico + Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza
High-acid Sangiovese and tomato-forward, fatty, cured-meat pizza is one of the most time-tested combinations in existence for a reason. The wine cuts the grease, the pizza makes the wine sing, and everyone at the table looks like they know what they're doing.
The Bottom Line
Sarita is a genuinely solid neighborhood restaurant wine list that earns its Wine Spectator credential, especially on the Italian side. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's absolutely worth ordering a bottle rather than defaulting to cocktails — and in Lakewood, that's saying something.
Lakewood · Lakewood · Italian, Mediterranean
The Adriatic is the kind of wine program that makes you wish you lived in Lakewood just so you could come back on Tuesdays. Deep Washington list, a sommelier who clearly cares, and fair pricing — send your friends here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Lakewood · Lakewood · Seafood
Pier W holds its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for good reason — the list is deep, the cellar is serious, and the setting makes every pour feel intentional. Bring a budget, bring a special occasion, and skip the Caymus.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Worcester · American
The Boynton is a great neighborhood spot for a cold beer, a burger, and a game — and that's exactly what it should be. The wine program is along for the ride, not driving the car. If wine matters to you tonight, this isn't your destination; if you're here for the food and the vibe, order a beer and enjoy it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Atlanta · Atlanta · American
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta's wine list is a Lazy List by every measure — grocery store brands, steep markups, no specials, and a rotating staff with little incentive to know what's in the glass. If you're here for the memorabilia and the atmosphere, lean into a cocktail or a beer. If wine is non-negotiable, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Columbia Crest Cab will get you through the night without regret.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · American
The real headline here is Friday: half-price bottles under $250, which is a legitimately good deal in any zip code. Add a sommelier in a neighborhood grill context and Tin Cup earns a look that most Cumming restaurants don't. We'd go in on a Friday, ask for a recommendation, and let the staff do their job — that's what they're there for.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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