Over the past several decades, Italian dining in the United States has evolved from red- and white checkered tablecloths and big bowls of spaghetti and meatballs to sophisticated decor, refined expressions of regional Italian cuisine and, notably, world-class wine lists. Some of these wine lists are concise and focused, akin to the simplicity of some of the best Italian dishes in which one or two ingredients shine, while others dive deep into offerings from multiple regions, exploring the breadth and diversity of Italian wine.
Great examples of Italian-focused wine lists matched with the country's cuisine abound throughout the U.S. But five areas stand out for their concentration of Italian restaurants with Wine Spectator Restaurant Award-winning wine lists: New York City, south Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas and Southern California. In this story, we profile some of the highlights from each, places worth a visit when you're looking to enjoy the beauty of Italian wine and fine dining.
NEW YORK CITY
Don Angie
103 Greenwich Ave.; (212) 8898884; donangie.com
Don Angie, located in Manhattan's West Village, has retained a neighborhood feel while earning abundant accolades since its 2017 opening, including a Michelin star in 2021. The petite, 110-selection wine list packs a punch, with a focus on native Italian varieties, small estates from throughout the boot, and Italian-influenced offerings from domestic producers.
Don Angie's list is as much about education as it is exploration, organized primarily by grape variety-many of which are little-known to anyone other than serious Italophiles. What about a skin-contact version of Vitovska from Friuli-Venezia-Giulia in northwestern Italy, or a bottle of Gaglioppo from Calabria in the far south?
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