Nearly 30 Tampa Bay restos recognized in 2016 Wine Spectator awards

Wine Spectator magazine has selected this year's top-notch wine lists around the region.

By Meaghan Habuda on Thu, Jul 7, 2016 at 2:25 pm

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Winners of Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards are announced around this time every year in three categories: Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, the magazine's highest honor.

The awards, which began 35 years ago, recognize first-rate wine programs at dining destinations around the globe, and in Tampa Bay, 29 restaurants walked away with 2016 accolades for their outstanding wine lists.

So, where does Wine Spectator advise you to drink?

Bern's Steak House has received the mag's Grand Award since the founding of its Restaurant Awards, so that's a given. But eateries that include 717 South in SoHo, St. Pete Beach's Maritana Grille, Del Frisco's Grille of Tampa and Clearwater Wine Bar & Bistro snagged an Award of Excellence, while Best of Award of Excellence titles went to spots like downtown St. Pete's Sea Salt, Rococo Steak, Clearwater-based Alfano's Restaurant and the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.

Starting with the biggest award, check out the full list of winners below, or Wine Spectator's newly minted awards website.

GRAND AWARD

Bern's Steak House (Tampa)

BEST OF AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Alfano's Restaurant (Clearwater)

The Capital Grille (Tampa)

Columbia Restaurant (Tampa)

Forlini's Restaurant (Clearwater Beach)

Haven (Tampa)

Rococo Steak (St. Pete)

Sea Salt (St. Pete)

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE