Streetside Seafood
California Classics, Great Lakes Charm
Birmingham · Birmingham · Seafood, Seasonal
Reviewed April 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Streetside Seafood reads like a California greatest hits album — Rombauer, Jordan, Far Niente, Cakebread. It's a confident, polished selection that makes no apologies for knowing exactly who it's trying to please. For a neighborhood seafood spot in Birmingham, Michigan, that's not a bad thing at all.
Selection Deep Dive
With 120-180 bottles and a firm California identity, Streetside leans hard into the Napa and Sonoma playbook. Chardonnay is clearly the star — Sonoma-Cutrer, Stag's Leap, Far Niente, Chalk Hill, and Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc round out a white wine section that's built for seafood. There's some red representation with Jordan Cab and Duckhorn Merlot, but don't come here expecting a deep Burgundy bench or anything from the Southern Hemisphere. The list has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2010, which tracks — this is a focused, well-curated program that knows its lane.
By the Glass
Eighteen to twenty-eight pours by the glass is a generous offering, running $10–$18 and covering the California bases well. The range is wide enough that you can work your way through dinner without committing to a bottle, though the rotation appears fairly static — don't expect a lot of seasonal surprises. For a seafood-forward menu, the glass program does the job.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay — $35–$50 (estimated bottle range)
Among the Chardonnay heavyweights on this list, Sonoma-Cutrer tends to offer the most honest price-to-quality ratio. It's cool, restrained, and genuinely food-friendly — exactly what you want with a plate of Great Lakes Perch.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc
Most people at a seafood spot reach for the Chardonnay by default, but Merry Edwards' Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma is a sharper, more vivid option that cuts through rich shellfish beautifully. It flies under the radar here, and it shouldn't.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is fine wine. It's also everywhere, heavily marked up at every restaurant that stocks it, and the buttery oak-bomb style competes with delicate seafood rather than complementing it. You can do better on this list.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc + South African Lobster Tail
The bright citrus and herbaceous edge of Merry Edwards' Sauvignon Blanc cuts right through the richness of lobster without overwhelming it — a cleaner, more precise match than the obvious Chardonnay call.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Streetside Seafood won't surprise you, but it will satisfy you — a well-run California-focused list with a real sommelier (Kris Doerfling) and a menu built to drink wine with. Skip the Rombauer, find the Merry Edwards, and you're in good shape.
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