2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Recipients — Page 20

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse is worth booking when the group wants a lively Napa dinner built around tableside rodizio rather than a quiet tasting-menu format. It works especially well for celebrations, client meals, larger gatherings, with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026 adding credibility for wine-minded diners.

Luigi's Italian Chophouse and Bar is Fayetteville's most complete answer if you want serious meat, Italian-leaning food, a bar program that goes beyond the basics under one roof. Booking is easy, making it a low-friction choice for weeknight dinners or small group outings. For the city's dining tier, it delivers a credible combination of chophouse format and cocktail ambition.

USS Nemo Restaurant is a good Naples pick when the brief is seafood fine dining with a playful nautical room, not a generic coastal dinner. The smart order starts with the miso-broiled sea bass, with other Asian-influenced seafood dishes supporting the case. At about $75 per person, it is worth booking for dinner when atmosphere and seafood matter equally.

Panza’s Restaurant is worth booking for classic Italian comfort, warm service, a supper-club-style evening with piano-bar energy. It is strongest for date nights, family dinners, small celebrations, especially if the group wants familiar dishes and a hosted feel rather than a tasting-menu format.

Macéo is a sensible 1st arrondissement choice when the brief is central Paris, credible wine, low booking drama. Star Wine List recognition gives it a clear reason to book, but the sparse menu and pricing detail mean it suits flexible diners better than anyone planning around a specific chef, format, or dish.

La Nouvelle Maison is a dinner-first Boca Raton pick for a polished, grown-up night rather than a casual lunch or bar-led plan. Book it when the occasion calls for a composed evening in the Palmetto Park area; cross-shop Trattoria Romana, Casa D'Angelo Boca Raton, AlleyCat, or Sunset Sushi Omakase if the group needs a clearer cuisine lane or format.

Book Little Mama’s Italian Kitchen when the table wants relaxed Italian-American comfort without a formal dining-room commitment. The Rea Farms location works especially well for south Charlotte families, groups, low-stress celebrations, with fresh pasta, just-made mozzarella, a casual dress code as the main draw.

Loro is worth booking for a polished Italian meal in central Moscow, especially for dates, client dinners, small celebrations. The draw is seasonal Italian cooking, open-fire technique, smart casual atmosphere, a wine program recognized with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026. Choose it when you want comfort and polish over tasting-menu theater.

STK is worth choosing when dinner is part of a bigger South Beach night: steak, seafood, cocktails, DJs, a dressed-up room with real group energy. It is less compelling for a quiet, chef-led steakhouse meal, but strong for birthdays, date nights, bachelorettes, brunch, late-evening plans.

Book Seasons 52 when the table needs polished New American cooking, a wine-bar feel, enough menu range for seafood, steak, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free diners. It is strongest for business dinners, date nights, low-friction celebrations around $45 per person, not for a chef-counter or tasting-menu experience.

Book The Golden Swan for a polished West Village night when atmosphere matters more than a documented chef-led menu. It is a better fit for dates and small celebrations than for large groups needing confirmed private-dining terms, fixed pricing, or a named tasting format before committing.

Del Frisco’s Grille is a good Gulch pick for steak, cocktails, brunch, mixed groups that want polish without fine-dining formality. The value is strongest when the table uses the à la carte format flexibly; skip it for a chef-led tasting menu or a quiet, locally specific destination meal.

Christy Hill is the Tahoe City dinner to choose for a polished lakeside evening rather than a casual drop-in meal. It is strongest for couples, wine-focused diners, small groups who want Modern American cooking with French, Italian, Mediterranean influence, plus a room where the Lake Tahoe view is part of the decision.

Should you book Pane e Vino in Dnipro? Yes, if you want a casual Italian restaurant with moderate pricing, easy planning, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that makes the wine side worth attention. It is less convincing as a tasting-menu or chef-led destination, so keep it for relaxed meals rather than high-stakes occasions.

The Flooded Gums Restaurant is worth it for a seated resort dinner built around Modern Australian food, wine service, a fairway-facing room after dark. It is not the right choice for takeaway or delivery; the value is in the setting, staff guidance, wine-led pacing.

A walk-in-friendly Southern restaurant in downtown Nashville, Deacon's New South delivers consistent fried chicken, shrimp and grits, catfish without the reinterpretation that defines the city's higher-profile kitchens. The 4–9 PM weeknight window and reliable service pace make it a practical fallback when headline spots are fully booked, though the cooking stays within familiar categories rather than pushing technique or sourcing.

Inn of the Seventh Ray is worth booking when atmosphere and a Topanga Canyon setting matter more than a chef-driven checklist. It is an easy-reservation choice for lunch, early dinner, or a low-pressure special occasion, with Reel Inn Malibu better for casual seafood and Mastro's Ocean Club better for a polished splurge.

JW Steakhouse is worth booking when LAX convenience matters and the group wants a classic American steakhouse rather than a generic hotel meal. Expect an upscale-casual room inside the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, a steak-and-seafood à la carte menu, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list that gives the meal more credibility than its airport setting suggests.

Banyan Tree is a practical Lahaina pick for an easy resort dinner at the Ritz-Carlton address, especially if convenience matters more than chasing a documented chef or signature menu. It is less useful for breakfast, brunch, or casual daytime plans, where Kai Cafe, 'Olu Cafe, or Honolua Store are better fits.

Oak Steakhouse is worth booking for an upscale Old Town Alexandria steakhouse dinner, especially for private dining, business meals, celebrations. Expect about $75 per person, smart casual dress, an easy booking path, Prime Certified Angus Beef, a serious wine program, dinner-only hours rather than lunch service.

A sensible Lakewood dinner pick when the goal is relaxed but considered, not a high-ceremony reservation. Booking looks easy, so it works well for weeknight plans, dates, low-key occasions; compare Barroco Grill or Rood if the group wants a livelier room or more defined concept.

Seasons 52 is worth booking in Naples when the goal is a polished, wine-forward American grill that works for mixed groups. The appeal is flexibility: seafood, steak, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lighter seasonal options in an upscale-casual setting. Choose it for an easy special-occasion dinner or group meal, not for a chef-driven tasting-menu experience.

1-Alfaro is a sensible Singapore pick when you want a flexible lunch-to-late-dinner venue with wine credibility, backed by a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2026). It is less useful for diners choosing purely by cuisine or fixed budget, so price-check before anchoring the night. Cross-shop Keng Eng Kee Seafood for $ group dining or The Naked Finn for a seafood-specific plan.

Harvest is McKinney's most credentialed dining room, holding consecutive Michelin Plates in 2024 and 2025 alongside a La Liste Top Restaurants 2025 score at the $$ price tier. For a special occasion dinner in the northern Dallas suburbs, it delivers inspector-verified quality at a fraction of what a starred room would cost. Booking is straightforward and the historic downtown setting adds to the experience.

Devlin's Country Bistro is the Mount Pleasant pick for a dinner built around wine rather than a heavily publicized chef or tasting format. The World's Best Wine Lists 2025 1-Star recognition gives it a concrete reason to book for a date, anniversary, or small business meal, especially if the group values a quieter village setting over a larger destination property.

Public House on Coulter Street is a casual, accessible option for drinks and bar food on Amarillo's west side. Booking is easy and walk-ins are viable most nights, making it a practical choice for low-key evenings. Pricing and hours are not confirmed, so check ahead before planning a meal or group visit.

Vinothek is a practical Grassau pick for groups who want a relaxed wine-bar stop rather than a destination meal. The appeal is convenience and flexibility, not a documented chef, award, or tasting format, so it works better for casual 4+ plans than for a high-stakes dinner.

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is worth booking for a polished Princeton special-occasion dinner when the table wants both seafood and steak. Expect an upscale à la carte format, oyster bar options, prime center-cut steaks, live evening lounge music, business casual dress, a premium spend anchored by a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026.

Book Hondos Steakhouse for a polished Glen Allen steakhouse dinner when the occasion calls for comfort, structure, a grown-up room. It is strongest for business meals, anniversaries, larger celebrations, with steak, seafood, a wine program recognized by Wine Spectator in 2026.

Urban Grub is a strong 12 South choice for groups, casual celebrations, Southern seafood-and-grill dinners that benefit from a lively room. Book it when you want oysters, smoked or grilled plates, wine credibility, the option to linger across a patio, bar, beer garden, or cozier seating area.

Hart & Crown Tavern is worth booking for a drinks-led, upscale-casual pub dinner in historic Madison. The strongest reason to go is the combination of British-inspired comfort food, a serious wine-and-spirits angle, a cozy low-ceilinged room that suits repeat visits as well as low-pressure occasions.

Seasons of Durango is the safer pick for a polished Main Avenue dinner when the brief is steakhouse comfort, wine-bar flexibility, a room that works for dates or celebrations. Go first for the oak-fired grill and return for a slower wine-led meal. It is less compelling if you specifically want a tasting-menu format or chef-counter experience.

Cuerno New York earned a spot on Resy's Best of the Hit List for 2025, making it one of Midtown's most watched new openings. Booking is still easy, so this is the window to get in before demand builds. The Rockefeller Center address suits business lunches and pre-theatre dinners; full pricing and menu details are not yet widely published, so confirm specifics before committing a group.

Birravino is worth booking when the table wants modern Italian in Red Bank with house-made pasta, pizza, a wine program that adds real value. It is better for a lively date, group dinner, or casual celebration than for a quiet, formal meal. Order around the handmade pasta, then add antipasti and pizza for the table.

Lago East Bank is worth booking for a polished, social Italian meal in Cleveland’s Flats East Bank, especially for birthdays, group dinners, brunch events, wine-led nights. It is less compelling for diners seeking a quiet chef-driven format, but the upscale casual setting, flexible service windows, 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence give it a clear occasion-dining role.

Opus is the practical Worli pick when a polished hotel setting matters more than a narrow chef-driven concept. Choose it for mixed groups, business-adjacent meals, wine or tea-led visits, flexible all-day dining at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai; skip it if the brief is a small specialist room or tasting-menu focus.

Lamaii is worth booking for modern Thai in Henderson when drinks matter as much as dinner. Lunch is the easier value play, while dinner is better for dates and small celebrations thanks to the upscale casual room, smart-casual feel, wine-forward approach.

AMO Minsk is worth booking for a polished Minsk dinner that can also work on repeat visits. Use dinner for Belarusian-European comfort dishes and the bar program, then come back for weekend brunch if the first visit was heavier or more drinks-led. It is a stronger fit for dates and small groups than for a quick low-key meal.

A good choice for a formal Houston steakhouse dinner when the priority is comfort, heritage, wine credibility, a romantic garden setting. Go for dinner over lunch if it is a celebration; skip it if the table wants a tasting menu or a high-energy bar-driven night.

King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York is one of Midtown's most atmospheric places for a drink, anchored by the century-old Maxfield Parrish mural. Walk-ins are easy, the crowd skews professional and well-dressed, you are paying for the room as much as the glass. Book if atmosphere is your priority; go elsewhere for craft cocktails at fair value.

Cena Ristorante is worth booking if you want an easy Italian-inspired meal near Deer Valley with a polished alpine-hotel setting. Lunch is the value play for skiers and families; dinner is better for date nights, relaxed celebrations, wine with a more composed room.

Fairview Dining Room at the Washington Duke Inn delivers Southern American cooking with a wine list depth; 300 selections, 2,800-bottle inventory; that outpaces most restaurants in its $$ price tier. The floor-to-ceiling golf-course views and nightly piano make it the area's strongest option for a relaxed but properly considered dinner. Easy to book via OpenTable or phone.

Joni Restaurant at the Park Hyatt Toronto is a Modern British bistronomy concept with genuine credentials: ranked #148 on Opinionated About Dining's 2024 list and driven by Canadian regional sourcing that changes with the season. Book for an early dinner reservation or weekend afternoon tea; the Living Room next door handles casual drop-ins without a full booking.

Metropolitan Grill is the Springfield pick for celebratory groups more than minimalist tasting-menu diners. Book it when the table needs steak, seafood, wood-fired pizza, wine credibility, private-room flexibility in one smart-casual setting.

Glorietta Trattoria is worth booking for a seated Italian dinner in Jackson, especially if handmade pasta, wood-fired cooking, Italian wine are the point. It is less compelling as a takeout choice because the format is built around the room, pacing, grill-centered cooking. Plan ahead during peak Jackson travel weeks.

Lilou Brasserie is the Knoxville pick when the wine program is a real part of the night, not a side detail. Book it for a polished Gay Street dinner, date, or drinks-led occasion; cross-shop Potchke for lower-cost casual dining or J.C. Holdway if the priority is a more cuisine-specific Southern-Italian meal.

The Grove, Cucina & Wine is a strong Hobe Sound pick for a wine-led Italian and Mediterranean dinner, especially for date nights and smaller special occasions. At about $45 per person, it offers good occasion value without the expectations of a formal tasting-menu restaurant. Go for the intimate room, Wine Spectator-recognized wine program, classic comfort dishes, not for late-night energy.

Book The Tavern Grill & Lounge when you want a polished Tokyo hotel grill with views, wine credibility, an easy format for dates, client dinners, or small celebrations. It is stronger as a flexible high-floor restaurant-and-lounge than as a destination for a narrow chef-led meal.

Book Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse for a polished Westport celebration, date, or client dinner when the group wants steakhouse comfort with Italian range. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence makes it especially useful for wine-led meals, while the Playhouse-adjacent setting works well for later dinners and occasion nights.

AVA MediterrAegean is Winter Park's most-validated fine-dining Greek restaurant, holding a 2025 Michelin Plate and. The wine list; 230 selections, 1,540 bottles, with real depth in Greek varietals; is the standout reason to book. Plan at least two to three weeks ahead for dinner; weekday lunch is your best alternative if you need flexibility.

Wolfgang's Steakhouse is the Limassol pick for a polished, meat-led dinner with stronger wine credentials than a standard resort-area steakhouse. It makes the most sense for business dinners, birthdays, travelers who want familiar steakhouse structure rather than a local tavern meal.

Print Works Bistro is an easy Greensboro pick when you want a polished, low-stress meal rather than a hard-to-book destination dinner. It is better for mixed groups, first-timers, conversation-led meals than for diners chasing a narrow chef-driven format or a specific cuisine brief.

Restaurant 8 is the practical Incheon pick for groups who need range: Korean, Asian, Western cooking across buffet and à la carte formats in a polished hotel-style room. Book it for family celebrations, business meals, or airport-area convenience; skip it if the goal is a quiet, chef-led tasting menu.

The Depot is the Auburn pick for a polished seated dinner with credible wine attention, especially when 1856 Restaurant feels too formal and Hey Day Market feels too casual. It is a better fit for couples, visiting parents, small groups than for diners who want a flexible market-style meal.

Seasons 52 is worth booking in North Bethesda when the table needs polished New American cooking, wine-list credibility, enough flexibility for seafood, steak, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian preferences. At about $40 per person, it is a practical upscale-casual choice for business lunches, date nights, group dinners, especially if wine is part of the plan.

Book H Tasting Lounge when the occasion calls for waterfront drinks, polished lounge energy, shareable Pacific Northwest plates rather than a formal tasting-menu dinner. The bar program is the main draw, backed by a 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, with smart casual dress and an easy Coal Harbour setting that works for dates, hotel guests, small celebrations.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood is a stronger pick for a polished Paramus celebration than for a casual weeknight meal. Its 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence makes the drinks side part of the reason to go, especially if the table wants seafood-leaning dining near Garden State Plaza. For a steakhouse default, The Capital Grille is the cleaner alternative.

Book Ralu if you want a refined overwater brasserie meal at Heritance Aarah without committing to a formal tasting menu. The draw is Mediterranean and French-leaning à la carte cooking, lagoon views, live stations, sommelier-assisted wine guidance. It is stronger for couples and mixed groups than for diners seeking a chef-led progression.

Choose The Rams Head Inn for a coastal American dinner that can become the whole evening: seafood, pasta, local produce, a bar, a waterfront inn setting built for celebrations. At about $80 per person with smart casual dress and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026, it is strongest for dates, family gatherings, Shelter Island weekends.

Prasino St. Charles works when the goal is an easy, flexible St Charles meal rather than a high-ceremony destination dinner. Choose it for mixed groups, casual dates, or family plans; cross-shop Spiro's for a more classic occasion feel and Bristol Seafood Grill for a seafood-led night.

Steakhouse Bourré Bonne is the right Louisville booking for a polished downtown steakhouse dinner with bourbon built into the experience. Go for client meals, date nights, or a celebratory table that wants premium beef, seafood, a refined hotel setting rather than a chef-led tasting menu.

The H Orlando is a strong Dr. Phillips pick for a celebration, date, or polished group dinner, especially if wine matters. Choose it over more cuisine-specific Orlando options when the occasion and late-night flexibility are the priority; cross-shop Christinis Ristorante Italiano, Chatham's Place, or Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine - Orlando if the group wants a clearer culinary lane.

Jin Sha holds a Michelin star, Black Pearl 3 Diamond (2025), and an OAD Asia ranking of #53; making it the most decorated Zhejiang restaurant at the ¥¥¥ price tier in Hangzhou. The weekend dim sum format on the garden terrace is the format to book, the private pavilions make it the clearest choice in the city for group occasion dining. Book ahead for any weekend service.

Blue Ridge Grill is a strong Buckhead choice for polished American steakhouse and seafood dining, especially for business meals, celebrations, groups using the semi-private wine room. Expect a classic lodge-influenced room, signature dishes like Georgia trout and hickory-grilled rib-eye, a wine program with a 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Zwin is worth booking in Lviv if wine discovery matters more than a chef-led destination meal. The strongest case is the guided, approachable wine program with a clear Ukrainian focus, plus a flexible room that works for daytime conversation or a more social evening. Go for bottles, context, a relaxed modern bar format.

Ario is a stronger fit for a special-occasion dinner than a casual Marco Island meal, mainly because the clearest signal is its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (2026). Go when wine matters and the group wants a more composed night. If cuisine type or price certainty drives the decision, compare nearby peers before committing.

Carmello's is Manassas's no-frills Italian option; garlic-heavy red-sauce cooking served in a casual, counter-order setting. Open only Wednesday through Sunday from 5 PM, it's the pick when you want pasta or pizza without tablecloths or ceremony. Takeout works well; dining in feels more like a neighborhood pizzeria than a destination restaurant.

Del Frisco’s Grille is worth booking for a lively Sundance Square steakhouse-bar meal, especially with a business group, pre-show plan, or mixed table that wants steak without a formal steakhouse mood. The smart order is built around shared starters, one or two premium cuts, cocktails or wine rather than treating it like a tasting-menu destination.

Canvas Restaurant is a practical Miramar pick for diners who want an easier San Juan reservation without turning dinner into a major tasting-menu commitment. Choose it for location and flexibility; cross-shop ORUJO if the night needs a more defined splurge, or Comedor and Bartolo Restaurant for a more casual.

Bistro M is worth considering in Mendoza if the priority is a city-centre dinner with a credible wine angle. Star Wine List recognition in 2026 is the main trust signal; choose it for cellar confidence and convenience, while comparing Centauro for clearer value and Soberana for a higher-spend contemporary option.

The Players Retreat on Oberlin Rd is Raleigh's reliable neighborhood bar; best for casual weeknight drinks, sports viewing, or a no-pressure group outing. Walk-ins are easy and the crowd skews local. It is not a destination for serious cocktails or special occasions, but for low-key, affordable drinks with genuine neighborhood character, it delivers consistently.

STK Chicago is the safer pick for a lively River North celebration than for a quiet, food-first dinner. Book it for birthdays, dates, client drinks, or groups that want a central Chicago setting with late operating hours; cross-shop if you want stronger published culinary credentials or a more restrained room.

Eddie Merlot's is a strong Burr Ridge pick for steak, seafood, wine, polished special-occasion dining without a rigid formal feel. At about $75 per person, it makes the strongest case when the table leans into bone-in steaks, seafood, a wine-led meal rather than treating it as a casual dinner.

Pearl-recommended and ranked #256 on Opinionated About Dining's Casual North America list (2025), Husk is the go-to for serious Southern cooking in Charleston. Chef Ray England's daily-changing menu is built entirely from Southern-sourced ingredients; no exceptions. At $$ pricing with easy booking, it delivers clear value for a food-forward dinner on Queen Street.

Mosu is Hong Kong's most globally recognised creative tasting menu restaurant, ranked #86 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 and Tatler's Best 20 in Hong Kong 2025. Chef Sung Anh's Korean-French approach plays out in a spare, composed room inside West Kowloon's M+ Tower. Booking difficulty is near impossible; plan four to eight weeks ahead.

Book The Griswold Inn Wine Bar for a polished Essex dinner built around wine, bistro comfort, a cozy historic setting. It is a stronger fit for dates and small celebrations than for loud groups or tasting-menu seekers, with a credible wine-program signal from its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

il Cigno Italiano is worth booking when you want Swansboro’s coastal setting with a more polished Italian dinner rather than another casual waterfront meal. The strongest reasons to go are the White Oak River location, housemade pasta and mozzarella, romantic room, 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. It is better for couples and small celebrations than for bargain dining.

Villaggio Del Vino is worth booking when the brief is polished Italian comfort with a wine-bar feel, especially for dinner, dates, small celebrations. At $45 per person and with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2026, it delivers stronger value for atmosphere and wine-led dining than for tasting-menu ambition.

Le Bouchon Bistro & Wine is a practical pick in downtown Huntsville when the group wants casual French-style comfort food, a relaxed cottage-country room, a wine program with Canadian strength. It is better for lunch, cozy dinners, families, repeat visits than for a formal chef-driven night.

BOSQA is the Podlesie pick for a calm, polished Polish-European meal built around native flavours, seasonal tasting-style dishes, a scenic, intimate room. The $$$ price makes sense for special occasions and wine-minded diners, helped by a 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Book ahead rather than treating it as a last-minute fallback.

Book Omakase Experience by PrimeFish when the occasion calls for a focused, chef-led sushi meal rather than a flexible group dinner. Chef Robin Anthony's omakase format and 2025 Michelin Plate recognition make it the stronger Charlotte choice for serious sushi diners, while Yama Asian Fusion or Barrington's will suit guests who want broader menus.

A practical Nags Head dinner pick for visitors who want an easy-to-plan evening meal rather than a high-commitment destination booking. Go when the schedule fits its dinner-only service window; cross-shop The Kill Devil Grill, Chilli Peppers Coastal Grill, Thai Room, Rundown Cafe, or Proof Bakery if the group needs a clearer cuisine lane or daytime stop.