Encinitas Restaurant Celebrated For Wine List, Service

ENCINITAS, CA — Wine Spectator released their annual list noting the best restaurants for wine across the country and this year 27 San Diego County restaurants received nods — including Firenze Trattoria in Encinitas.

Some 3,169 restaurants made the cut in 2022, receiving recognition at three different levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award or Excellence and the Grand Award — the most prestigious.

Honored restaurants not only feature interesting and extensive lists, but have wine selections that complement their food menus and appeal to a wide range of drinkers, according to Wine Spectator. A winning restaurant must also have an accurate and complete wine list with descriptions of where the grapes are grown.

“These awards not only guide our readers to dining establishments with impressive wine lists and outstanding service, but also serve to honor restaurants for their achievements and commitment to maintaining pristine cellars,” Wine Spectator Editor and Publisher Marvin Shanken wrote in a news release.

Only 97 restaurants across the country received the magazine’s highest award, the Grand Award. This award is reserved for restaurants with a whopping 1,000 selections including vintage choices, large-format bottles, superior presentation and service and a menu to match. One California restaurant made the top award for the first time: Press Restaurant in Napa Valley.

One restaurant in San Diego received this prestigious honor:

• Addison, 5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego

The second-best award covered 1,290 restaurants across the country for their selections of at least 350 wines. These restaurants show “a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team,” according to Wine Spectator. Eight San Diego area restaurants received the Best of Award designation:

• Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego
• Island Prime, 880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego
• Stake Chophouse & Bar, 1309 Orange Ave., Coronado
• The Marine Room, 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla
• Nine-Ten, 910 Prospect St., La Jolla
• The WineSellar & Brasserie, 9550 Waples St., San Diego
• Pony Room, 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe
• Paon Restaurant & Wine Bar, 2975 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad

Some 1,782 restaurants received the Award of Excellence, meaning their list features at least 90 selections with variety and quality. These wine lists will satisfy a discerning wine lover, according to Wine Spectator. Here are the 18 San Diego area restaurants that qualified:

• STK San Diego, 600 F St., San Diego
• Fogo de Chão, 668 Sixth Ave., San Diego
• Morton's, The Steakhouse, 285 J St., San Diego
• Eddie V's Prime Seafood, 789 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego
• Juniper and Ivy, 2228 Kettner Blvd., San Diego
• Solare Ristorante, 2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 100, San Diego
• JRDN Restaurant, 4551 Ocean Blvd., San Diego
• The Fishery, 5040 Cass St., San Diego
• Seasons 52, 4505 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
• Eddie V's Prime Seafood, 1270 Prospect St., La Jolla
• Truluck's, 8990 University Center Lane, San Diego
• A.R. Valentien, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
• Prime Cut, 14145 Campo Road, Jamul
• Avant, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego
• Firenze Trattoria, 162 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas
• Barona Oaks Steakhouse, 1932 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside
• The Grove Steakhouse, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine
• The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza, 1706 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside