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Three Cincinnati Restaurants Earn Prestigious Wine Spectator Award for First Time

The Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants across the globe that have outstanding wine programs.

Jul 1, 2024 at 1:35 pm

Subito at The Lytle Park Hotel Photo: The Lytle Park Hotel

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Three Cincinnati restaurants have for the first time landed on a prestigious list that recognizes excellence in restaurant wine service.

Wine culture magazine Wine Spectator released its 2024 list of Restaurant Award recipients last week, which features over 3,700 restaurants across the globe that offer outstanding wine programs. Ten Cincinnati-area restaurants are among the award recipients, including several newcomers: The Lytle Park Hotel’s Italian fine-dining restaurant Subito, upscale Hyde Park Italian restaurant Al-Posto and O’Bryonville’s Ripple Wine Bar, which also has a location in Covington.

“The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs,” Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, said in a press release. “Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about.”

Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards encompass three categories: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. Subito, Al-Posto and Ripple Wine bar were among the 2,150 establishments given the Award of Excellence. The Award of Excellence honors restaurants with wine lists that feature a well-curated selection of quality producers along with a thematic match in price and style to the menu.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, reaffirming Subito and its steward, The Lytle Park Hotel, as a premier wine destination in the Queen City,” The Lytle Park Hotel general manager Morty Valldejuli, said in the release. “Dedicated to offering a diverse collection of wines, Subito showcases a strong selection of Italian wines sourced from northern and central regions while also highlighting notable woman-owned and woman-made wines alongside selections from wineries engaging in sustainable, biodynamic, and ethical farming and employment practices.”

Past local winners that also appear on Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards list include Carlo & Johnny, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, The Precinct, Alfio’s Buon Cibo, Eddie Merlot’s, Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille.

Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards issue will be on newsstands July 9. Learn more about the awards here.

Slideshow

The Best New Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati, According to CityBeat Readers

No. 1 Best New Restaurant: Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar535 Madison Ave., CovingtonStunning views of Cincinnati and Covington and specially curated and intentional design elements that shift as you move throughout Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar will have you thinking you’re dining in a real gemstone. The design, lighting and food are a mood, the latter of which is an experience driven by the restaurant’s Grillworks wood-fired grill, the only one of its kind in a two-hour radius. This unique grill drives Opal’s open-fire grill and wine-forward menu, which features dishes made from fresh, local fare and products, and the craft cocktail menu and wine selection have been curated to complement the dishes.Menu recommendation: The Chicken: Al pastor yogurt chicken with carrots, charred onion, whipped feta, fennel pollen and piquillo peppers.

No. 9 Best New Restaurant: Al-Posto Italian Ristorante2710 Erie Ave., Hyde ParkThe home of Teller’s of Hyde Park for 25 years reopened last spring as “Italian-inspired” Al-Posto, an Italian phrase that translates to “at the spot.” The approachable Italian menu features a variety of classic pasta dishes, as well as dishes like a filet and gourmet cheeseburger. The compact list of wines available by the glass, according to the menu, is hand-selected by wine director & sommelier, Austin Heidt.Menu recommendation: Spaghetti Allo Scoglio: A pasta dish featuring clams, shrimp, bottarga (salted, cured fish roe), garlic and bread crumbs, paired with the pinot grigio or caposaldo.

No. 8 Best New Restaurant: VV The Italian Experience1026 Delta Ave., Mt. LookoutCafé and shop VV The Italian Experience dishes up an authentic Italian experience in Mt. Lookout Square. Owners Melissa and Andrea De Giorgi wanted to recreate an Italian la cafeteria, a place for family and friends to spend time together, relax for breakfast and lunch and enjoy aperitivo, or happy hour with delicious bites. The space is simple yet elegant and combines both vintage and modern Italian styles in a seamless and welcoming manner.Menu recommendation: Volare: A vegan panini featuring grilled vegetables, sundried tomatoes, almonds and VV’s red pesto.

No. 7 Best New Restaurant: Atwood Oyster House1220 Vine St., Over-the-RhineOver-the-Rhine’s Atwood Oyster House features a menu focused on oysters and seasonal seafood that is playful but elegant. Atwood also has a full bar, which serves a diverse menu of classic and creative house cocktails and a wine list of 16 wines by the glass and 80 bottles, all of which were selected to complement the restaurant’s seafood and vegetarian dishes. The dining room is sophisticated and intimate and characterized by low, romantic lighting.Menu recommendation: Anything from the raw oyster selection, served à la carte with mignonette and hot sauce.

No. 6 Best New Restaurant: Amador Cuban Restaurant1 Levee Way, NewportHavana has come to Greater Cincinnati. Amador’s menu features traditional Cuban dishes like empanadas, croquetas, and Cubano sandwiches, but with an “Amador twist.” The energetic and playful atmosphere aims to transport diners to a tropical vacation, with its jungle-esque vibe, lush greenery and an outdoor patio that overlooks the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline. And unlike other Cuban restaurants, their small plates are meant to be shared. To drink, the restaurant has Cuban coffee, craft cocktails and Latin American beers, wines and rare spirits.Menu recommendation: The Cubano: Featuring slow-roasted pork, Smoked City ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, Mojo mayo and house pickles served on Cuban bread. Try it with a classic mojito.

No. 5 Best New Restaurant: Five on Vine1324 Vine St., Over-the-RhineAt its core, Five on Vine’s menu is meant to represent owner Crown Restaurant Group’s perspective on how American food traditions have evolved. It includes savory shareables, homemade pastas and traditional entrees with a twist. It also has a beverage program that highlights its selection of reserve cocktails made from premier spirits and a crafted collection of martinis.Menu recommendation: As a starter, Five on Vine’s version of pigs-in-a-blanket, the OTR Wellington: Made with local sausage, mushroom, puff pastry and served with whole grain mustard. For dinner, try the roasted Amish chicken, served with kale panzanella and apricot jus.

No. 4 Best New Restaurant: Shake Shack7669 Blake St., Liberty TownshipPopular milkshake and burger chain Shake Shack finally opened its doors to its first Greater Cincinnati location this December. The fast-food chain is best known for its hand-spun milkshakes, as well as elevated American classics like their made-to-order burgers, crispy chicken, crinkle-cut fries and signature Hot-Ones Spicy ShackSauce.Menu recommendation: The classic ShackBurger — an Angus beef cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun — and a Cookies & Cream Shake.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...