Wine Spectator magazine has named the recipients of its 2018 Award of Excellence, with four restaurants in the Cape Fear region achieving recognition.
 
Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a carefully selected assortment of quality producers that complement menus in both price and style. These wine lists offer ample choices to satisfy discerning wine lovers, with many of the winning lists offering nearly 100 selections.  Globally, only 2,453 restaurants achieved recognition this year.
 
Three Wilmington restaurants earned the accolade this year: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Sweet n Savory Café, and Grand Cru Food & Wine. Both Sweet n Savory and Grand Cru are first time recipients.
 
 “After over a decade of building our wine catalogue with love and care,
we are excited and honored to have our wine program recognized by Wine Spectator,” said Sweet n Savory owner, Rob Shapiro. “We are looking forward to continuing to provide one of the largest, most diverse and affordable catalogues around, with wines at half the price of most other restaurants.”
 
Russell Snyder, restaurant director at Grand Cru Food & Wine, said it is a great honor to have received the award in just the second year of business.
 
“We believe that it speaks not only to the quality of our wine program, but to our commitment to excellence in all facets of our restaurant,” Snyder said. “From our unique and wonderfully presented food selections, to our handcrafted cocktail selections, to our ever hard working staff, we constantly strive for excellence in our craft. To be recognized nationally for a part of that effort is truly an honor.”

The Bistro at Topsail, the first Topsail restaurant to ever receive the award, is a proud recipient for the fourth year running. Owner and chef Bud Taylor and sommelier Jena Schmidt said they have worked hard to create a wine list that is approachable to the beginner as well as the enthusiast.
 
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