Wine Spectator honors 8 Iowa restaurants, including two newcomers, with accolades

One of Oak Park’s goals when it opened was to carry at least 500 wine labels, maybe growing that number to 1,000 within the first year with 7,000 bottles on hand to pair with the new American food on the menu.

The restaurant leadership also wanted to earn a goblet, the equivalent of a star, from Wine Spectator in their first year. Many on the team passed an introductory sommelier course, a two-day training and test. Sam Tuttle, a certified sommelier, joined the crew as the wine director. The Des Moines native’s goal — to assemble the region’s deepest and rarest cellar.

Now Oak Park is one of eight restaurants in Iowa honored Wine Spectator's 2024 Restaurant Awards. The restaurant won a Best of Award of Excellence, or two goblets, from the magazine. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which opened last year in August in West Des Moines, earned an Award of Excellence, or one goblet.

The magazine’s 2024 Restaurant Awards honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year 3,777 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 75 countries internationally earned recognition.

The magazine awards goblets based on three levels: the Award of Excellence (one goblet), the Best of Award of Excellence (two goblets), and the Grand Award (three goblets). No restaurant in Iowa won the Grand Award, bestowed on only 96 restaurants worldwide.

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Here’s a look at the winners in Iowa, including four in the Des Moines metro:

801 Chophouse: Best of Award of Excellence

Since 2007, Wine Spectator has recognized the steakhouse for its collection of wines. The magazine notes that 801 Chophouse specializes in wines from California and Italy. The restaurant has an inventory of 350 labels and 1,250 wines. All seven of the 801 Chophouse locations earned a spot on the list.

Find it: 801 Chophouse, 801 Grand Ave., Suite 200, Des Moines; 515-288-6000 or 801Chophouse.com

Oak Park: Best of Award of Excellence

This is the first year that Oak Park, the new American restaurant that opened last September on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, landed on the Wine Spectator list. The restaurant specializes in wines from California, France and Bordeaux, and reports 670 labels with an inventory of 2,845 wines.

Find it: Oak Park, 3901 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines; 515-562-02185 or oakparkdsm.com

Martini’s Grille: Award of Excellence

The Burlington steakhouse has been on the Wine Spectator list since 2018. Martini’s Grille specializes in California wines, with 100 wine labels in house and 900 wines on hand.

Find it: Martini’s Grille, 610 N. Fourth St., Burlington; 319-752-6262 or martinisgrille.com

Montage: Award of Excellence

Since 2002, Wine Spectator has recognized the Cedar Falls seafood restaurant with an Award of Excellence. Montage has a deep collection of inexpensive California wines on its list. Diners can find 105 labels and 750 wines at the restaurant.

Find it: Montage, 222 Main St., Cedar Falls; 319-268-7222 or montage-cf.com

Proudfoot & Bird: Award of Excellence

Wine Spectator has recognized this American restaurant at the Hotel Fort Des Moines with an Award of Excellence since 2022. The restaurant specializes in California wines with an inventory of 1,000 wines and 145 labels in the cellar.

Find it: Proudfoot & Bird, Hotel Fort Des Moines, 1000 Walnut St., Des Moines; 515-957-2400 or hotelfortdesmoines.com/dining/proudfoot-bird

Rubaiyat: Award of Excellence

This American restaurant in Decorah has been on the Wine Spectator list since 2009. Diners can find a wide selection of California wines on the list. Rubaiyat offers 225 different wines with 3,300 on hand.

Find it: Rubaiyat, 117 W. Water St., Decorah; 563-382-9463 or rubaiyatrestaurant.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Award of Excellence

This West Des Moines steakhouse joined the list for the first time this year. Ruth’s Chris leans into wines from California and France, with an inventory of 4,085 bottles and 280 labels.

Find it: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 950 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 1100, West Des Moines; 515-416-6080 or ruthschrisphg.com/west-des-moines

Splash Seafood Bar & Grill: Award of Excellence

Wine Spectator has honored the downtown Des Moines seafood restaurant since 2018. Splash specializes in California wines, with an inventory of 1,800 bottles and 235 labels.

Find it: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill, 303 Locust St., Suite 150, Des Moines; 515-244-5686 or splash-seafood.com

Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.