More Great Restaurant Wine Lists

Calgary, Alberta

Thai Sa-On

Good inexpensive food, casual surroundings and a great wine selection ranging from the very modest to some of the world’s greatest wines. If you know your wines ask for Sam and be prepared for Canada’s finest Thai and wine experience. Service is friendly, if sometimes intermittent but you will see some of the best-priced wines in any Calgary restaurant. (STh) 351 – 10th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB, 403-264-3526, thai-sa-on.com

Toronto, Ontario

Ruby Watchco

It’s tough to create an ideal list for a highly anticipated restaurant opening, but it’s even more challenging when the chef (Food Network celebrity Lynn Crawford) operates without a menu. Wine consultant Zoltan Szabo has cleverly assembled a list of cool climate, super-versatile wines to match the dynamic food offering, with selections ranging from Prince Edward County all the way to northern Hungary. Gentle mark-ups should help keep the place booked several weeks in advance. (JS) 730 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, 416-465-0100, rubywatchco.ca

Wellington, Ontario

East & Main Bistro

Only open a year, this has become the gastro-hub of the booming Hillier wine scene in west Prince Edward County. Proprietors David O’Connor and Kimberly Humby offer the region’s best selection of County wines, all fairly priced. They are also confident enough to add a Tieffenbruner white from Italy or Penley cabernet from Coonawarra. (DL) 270 Main St., Wellington, Prince Edward County, ON, 613-399-5420, eastandmain.ca

Ottawa, Ontario

Black Cat Bistro

Richard Urquhart — a 30-year veteran of Capital dining — has assembled a well-rounded, relaxed, explorer’s selection of 50 wines from around the world in his comfy Glebe district bistro. Prices are relaxed too, and in a bistro setting this is mandatory. They could include more Ontario wine to round out the list. (DL) 428 Preston St., Ottawa, ON, 613-569-9998, blackcatbistro.ca

Fredericton, New Brunswick

the blue door

This list is cute and clever, a fact which is easily forgivable given the quality. There is a good reserve section and the by-the-glass selections match their tasty Asian Fusion cuisine perfectly, with each category fitting the "b d" font used in the initials of the restaurant, such as "be cool and dare" for sparkling wines, "be different" for exotic whites and "be careful, these are delicate" for light reds like pinot noir. (CP) 100 Regent St., Fredericton, NB, 506-455-2583, thebluedoor.ca