Need an excuse to uncork a fresh bottle of wine? National Wine Day is just around the corner. Whether you love wine for its health benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease and type two diabetes or you just love the taste of a glass of red, pour yourself a glass of wine this May 25 and enjoy it without guilt.
If you'd rather have someone else pour your wine this National Wine Day, make sure to stop by one of the places on this list. Each restaurant below stocks a variety of reds, whites, and everything in between to satisfy even the most discerning wine drinkers.
The
Steakhouse at Harrah's
When you visit Harrah's, you can stay on one of the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel's 26 floors and enjoy a visit to the in-house casino. But, on National Wine Day, Harrah's hotel and casino are just lagniappe when compared to The Steakhouse's nine-page wine menu. Even if you don't consider yourself the biggest fan of wine, this restaurant, which received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2019, is sure to have something you'll enjoy. One of only 28 restaurants in the city to have received this honor, The Steakhouse at Harrah's serves everything from rosé and orange wines to grenache and syrah wines. 8 Canal St., 504-533-6111, caesars.com.
Orleans
Grapevine
You may have heard through the grapevine that Orleans Grapevine is one of the best wine bars that New Orleans has to offer, and you'd have heard right! Located in a building built over two centuries ago, this wine bar and bistro offers customers an intimate, but casual dining experience, as well as a lengthy wine menu. Order by the glass, the bottle, or even in a flight if you'd like to try all the varieties of a particular wine Orleans Grapevine has to offer. If you're still not in a rush to eat indoors because of COVID, this wine bar and bistro features a picturesque courtyard in which you can enjoy your glass of wine away from the crowds indoors. 720 Orleans St., 504-523-1930, orleansgrapevine.com.
Red
Gravy
What better way to enjoy a glass of wine than with some delicious Italian fare? Red Gravy is known for its handmade pasta and family-inspired recipes. Reviews of the restaurant say its staff is friendly and that its food is delicious. Like Orleans Grapevine, Red Gravy also has outdoor seating to accommodate patrons looking to enjoy wine, pasta, and fresh air. As far as the wine goes, part of its restaurant description on reservation service opentable.com says "life is too short to drink bad wine," so you can confidently enjoy a great glass at Red Gravy! 4206 Magazine St., 504-561-8844, redgravycafe.com.
Briquette
Located in the 200-year-old former home of Rodd Brothers Molasses Refinery, Briquette is all about ambience with its open floor plan and open kitchen. Inside, you'll also find an 18-foot seafood display supplying its coastal dishes with the best of fish. Just like wine goes well with Italian at Red Gravy, so too does wine pair well with fish! Briquette's 15-page wine list is something to celebrate. Bottles range in price greatly, so whether you're looking to splurge on a nearly $700 bottle of Opus One or save on a $30 bottle of Michele Chiarlo, "Le Orme," Barbera d'Asti, you'll find something to enjoy. 701 S. Peters St., 504-302-7496, briquette-nola.com.
New
Orleans Vampire Cafe
If you're seeking a unique wine-drinking experience, look no further than Vampire Cafe. This restaurant boasts the kind of exquisite dining experience you might enjoy if your host was the famous blood-sucker Dracula. Not only can customers enjoy a delicious "bite" at Vampire Cafe, you can also have your tarot cards and tea leaves read. The cafe offers a variety of cocktails, aptly named after various blood types, or Vampire®️ Wines with spooky names like Dracula, Trueblood, and Fangria. Vampire Cafe will certainly provide you with a spooky and boozy experience like no other. 801 Royal St., 504-581-0801, nolavampirecafe.com.
