Local Eateries Make the Wine Spectator Cut

Wine Spectator, the national magazine that celebrates wine and epicurean delights, has named several restaurants in the region to its 2011 Restaurant Wine List Awards program, including the Forbidden City Bistro and Art Gallery in Middletown.

In all, the wine magazine awarded 45 Connecticut Restaurants for their dedication to serving outstanding wines. Other restaurants that were recognized by the restaurant include the Griswold Inn Wine Bar in Essex, the Otter Cove Restaurant and Liv’s Oyster Bar in Old Saybrook, the Brasserie Pip  at the Copper Beech Inn in Essex and Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Newington.

Wine Spectator's Restaurant Wine List Awards recognizes restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers, according to the magazine’s website.

To qualify for an award, each restaurant’s wine list must present complete, accurate wine information. “It must include vintages and appellations for all selections, including wines available by the glass. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, while the overall presentation and appearance of the list is also taken into consideration. After meeting these basic requirements, lists are judged for one of our three awards,” the magazines website says.

The magazine gives out three level of awards: the Award of Excellence – the magazines basic award level – the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award.

All six of the local restaurants won the magazine’s Award of Excellence.

The Forbidden City is located at 335 Main St., in Middletown and serves up contemporary Chinese cuisine. Liv’s Oyster Bar is a seafood restaurant at 166 Main St., in Old Saybrook. The Brasserie Pip is a French restaurant at 46 Main St., in Ivoryton.  The Otter Cove, at 99 Essex Road in Old Saybroook, serves American food. Ruth’s Chris, located at 2513 Berlin Turnpike in Newington, is reknown for its hearty steaks and the Griswold Inn, at 36 Main St., in Essex, offers historic fare, a tap room and a wine bar.