Old Hollywood Power Lunch, California Cab Approved
Beverly Hills · Los Angeles · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Grill on the Alley’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads exactly like the room looks — dark wood, white tablecloths, and zero surprises. You know what you're getting before you open it: a California-forward steakhouse list built for expense accounts and anniversary dinners. That's not a knock, just a heads up.
The list leans heavily on Napa Cabernet and California Chardonnay, which makes sense for a Beverly Hills chophouse but leaves little room for adventure. You'll find the usual suspects — Caymus, Stag's Leap, Jordan, Cakebread, Far Niente — executed well but priced accordingly. There's no real exploration of Sonoma, Oregon, or any European alternatives to speak of in the research we found. If you came hoping to dig up a Barolo or a left-bank Bordeaux at a fair price, this probably isn't your night.
The by-the-glass program runs 12–18 options in the $16–$32 range, which tracks for Beverly Hills but still stings a little when you can see the retail ceiling on what's being poured. Rotation appears minimal — this is a set-it-and-forget-it program, not one driven by a passionate wine director chasing seasonal finds. You'll get something drinkable, but don't expect anything that makes you put your phone down.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $65
Jordan reliably overdelivers for what it is — structured, food-friendly, and not trying too hard to be Napa. On a list where bottles sprint toward the stratosphere, this is where you anchor your table.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Everyone at this table is ordering Caymus on autopilot. Stag's Leap is the more interesting pour — more elegant, more restrained, and it'll hold up better against a well-marbled ribeye without going toe-to-toe with it.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Caymus is fine. It's also everywhere, heavily allocated, and marked up aggressively at every steakhouse in America. You're paying a premium for a label that's become a self-fulfilling cliché — there are better bottles on this list for the same money.
Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley + Lobster
Far Niente has the richness and oak to stand up to a butter-forward lobster preparation without disappearing. It's a classic California Chardonnay move, and here it actually earns the price tag.
The Bottom Line
The Grill on the Alley is a dependable wine stop if you're already there for the steak and the scene — just don't come expecting a list that surprises you. Stick to Jordan or Stag's Leap, skip the Caymus markup, and let the room do the rest of the work.
Los Angeles · Los Angeles · Wine Bar / Butcher Shop
Butchr Bar is doing something genuinely different: a tight, weird, well-priced wine list in a space where you'd expect a refrigerator of craft beer. Go for the Arneis, stay for the field blends, and don't overthink it.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Adams · Los Angeles · Wine shop & bar
Adams is doing something genuinely rare in LA: a community-anchored wine bar with actual conviction behind the list and staff who can back it up. Send your friends here, especially the ones who think they don't like wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
· Los Angeles · Wine Bar
Augustine is doing the work: a genuinely eclectic 66-bottle list, half of it available by the glass, with pricing that respects what it's selling. If you like exploring wine without having to commit to a full bottle, this is exactly where you want to be.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Los Angeles · Wine Bar
Buvons is for people who already know what natural wine is and want nine well-chosen pours without a 50-page list getting in the way. If that's you, you'll feel right at home.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Los Angeles · Los Angeles · French Bistro / Wine Bar
Bar Etoile is doing exactly one thing, and it is doing it with conviction — if you want grower Champagne from serious small producers in a French bistro setting, this is your room. If you want options, look elsewhere.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Los Feliz · Los Angeles · Wine Bar
Tabula Rasa is the kind of wine bar that rewards regulars — the list rotates, the prices are fair, and the room alone is worth the visit. We'd send friends here on a Tuesday without hesitation.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Il Premio is a steakhouse that took its wine list seriously enough to skip the obvious plays, and the result is one of the more interesting Italian-focused lists in Atlanta right now. It's compact, priced fairly across the board, and built for exploration — whether you're going glass by glass through the Italian regions or just need a solid bottle of Chianti Classico at $72 to make a steak dinner feel right. We'd send a friend here specifically for the wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Healdsburg · Steakhouse
Stark's is the rare steakhouse that treats wine as something other than an afterthought or a cash grab. The list is compact but genuinely considered, markups are fair across the board, and the full bottle-to-glass availability is a policy every restaurant should copy. If you're eating in Healdsburg and want to drink well without overpaying, this is a legitimate stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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