The James

The wine list at The James reads like a greatest hits of California Cabernet — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap all present and accounted for. It's the kind of list that a Napa loyalist pulls up on their phone to show you why Long Island still knows how to eat. Nothing will surprise you, but nothing will disappoint you either.

The list runs 100-150 bottles and stays firmly planted in California, which makes sense for a steakhouse but leaves almost no room for adventurous drinkers. The heavy hitters dominate: Far Niente and Rombauer anchor the Chardonnay side while a murderers' row of Napa Cabs fills out the red section. There's no meaningful detour into Burgundy, Barolo, or even a rogue Malbec to break things up — if you came looking for an old-world rabbit hole, you're eating at the wrong restaurant. That said, within its lane, the list is well-curated and the producers are genuinely good.

Twelve to eighteen by-the-glass options at $12–$18 a pour is a reasonable spread for a steakhouse of this caliber. The glass program mirrors the bottle list — California-forward, familiar names — so you're not getting anything adventurous, but you can absolutely find something good without committing to a full bottle. Rotation appears minimal; this list feels like it stays put season to season.