Smithfield Restaurant Earns 2021 Wine Spectator Award

SMITHFIELD, RI — Coronavirus has brought unique and unprecedented challenges to restaurants in Smithfield. Despite the hardships, at least one was still able to shine in the last year, earning a 2021 Restaurant Award from Wine Spectator magazine.

The annual Restaurant Awards honor excellence in restaurant wine lists, as well as those who have demonstrated passion and devoted extensive resources to creating outstanding wine programs. This year’s awards are featured in the Aug. 31 issue of Wine Spectator.

The list typically gives us a generous glimpse at the best spots in Rhode Island. This year, 18 restaurants in our state earned a nod from Wine Spectator. And in Smithfield, Tavolo Wine Bar & Tuscan Grille, located at 970 Douglas Pike, won the Best of Award of Excellence. The Italian eatery, which specializes in, you guessed it, Italian-style wines, as well as California wines, won the award for a second straight year.

More than 2,900 restaurants in 50 states and 72 countries and territories earned awards this year. The awards are given across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award.

The Grand Award is Wine Spectator's most prestigious honor, given to the world’s most elite wine programs. Read profiles of all 100 current Grand Award winners.

Typically, recipients of the Grand Award offer at least 1,000 or more wine selections, showcasing"“immense depth and breadth of regions, producers, vintages and bottle formats.” All Grand Award winners must also pass a rigorous inspection of their restaurants, including the wine cellars."

Three new restaurants won the Grand Award this year: Brennan's in New Orleans, Le Bernardin in New York and SingleThread Farms in Healdsburg, California.

See all winners of this year’s Wine Spectator awards.