Il Lupino, La Mer and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse were given Best of Award of Excellence recognitions by Wine Spectator magazine, which highlights the best places to visit for a glass of wine in its 2016 Restaurant Awards, released last week.
Maui’s Lahaina Grill, Longhi’s Lahaina and Wailea, Merriman’s Kapalua and Nick’s Fishmarket were also given the same award.
The magazine selects venues in all 50 states and 72 countries around the world.
Restaurants are recognized in three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. In 2016, 3,595 restaurants were recognized; 1,093 were given the “best of” award, with just 88 earning a Grand Award.
According to Wine Spectator, honored restaurants must offer wine lists that feature a “well-chosen assortment” of selections with a “thematic match to the menu in both price and style.”
Best of Award of Excellence recipients provide “more extensive selections with significant vintage depth and excellent breadth across multiple regions.”
No Hawaii restaurant earned a Grand Award, which recognizes “the world’s best wine programs.”
To make things easier for mobile users and those traveling to new cities, Wine Spectator has launched a free app and dedicated website (restaurants.winespectator.com) with a complete list of winners. The list also will be available in Wine Spectator’s August issue, due on store shelves July 19.
Wine Spectator 2016 Restaurant Awards
Hawaii island
>> The Fish Hopper
>> Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill
>> Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar
>> Merriman’s Restaurant
>> Ray’s on the Bay
Kauai
>> Beach House Restaurant
>> Gaylord’s
>> Merriman’s Fish House
Maui
>> Fleetwood’s on Front St.
>> Gannon’s
>> Gerard’s
>> Hali‘imaile General Store
>> Honu Seafood & Pizza
>> Humuhumunukunukuapua‘a
>> Lahaina Grill
>> Longhi’s Lahaina
>> Longhi’s Wailea
>> Mala Ocean Tavern
>> Merriman’s Kapalua
>> Morimoto Maui
>> Nick’s Fishmarket
>> Pacific’o
>> Pulehu
>> Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Oahu
>> Beachhouse at the Moana
>> BLT Steak
>> Chart House Waikiki
>> d.k Steak House
>> Fresco Italian Restaurant
>> Hoku’s
>> Il Lupino Trattoria and Wine Bar
>> La Mer
>> Morton’s
>> Teppanyaki Ginza Onodera
>> Vino
>> Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
