Carne Mare
Piedmont Royalty With an East River View
South Street Seaport · New York · Italian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Carne Mare arrives with the same confidence as the room — Tuscan leather banquettes, Venetian mirrors, and a list that opens straight into Giacomo Conterno and Biondi-Santi without apology. This is a place that takes its Italian bona fides seriously, and the cellar backs it up. Wine Spectator handed them a Best of Award of Excellence in 2023 and the list earns it.
Selection Deep Dive
Piedmont is the undisputed star here — Barolo from Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, and Gaja anchor the Italian section with serious depth, and Barbaresco gets equal respect with Produttori del Barbaresco alongside Angelo Gaja. Tuscany doesn't get left behind: Biondi-Santi Brunello and Sassicaia round out Italy with the kind of names that make collectors put the phone down and just order. California shows up strong too — Caymus, Opus One, Ridge Monte Bello, Kistler, Far Niente — it's a classic, crowd-pleasing American lineup that fits the steakhouse half of the concept. France is present but feels more like a supporting cast: Chateau Margaux is the headliner, and the list doesn't appear to go much deeper than the hits.
By the Glass
With 20 to 35 pours on the glass list priced between $15 and $30, there's genuine range here — not just the usual Pinot Grigio and house Cab situation. That said, the list doesn't rotate aggressively, so regulars may find the same options month to month. Still, for a Seaport Italian chophouse, the by-the-glass program punches above its weight.
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco — $60-range
In a list loaded with Gaja and Conterno at serious collector prices, Produttori del Barbaresco is the honest answer — a co-op that consistently over-delivers on Nebbiolo without the trophy markup. If it's on the lower end of the bottle range, it's the smartest pour in the room.
Ridge Monte Bello
Everyone's eyes go straight to Screaming Eagle and Opus One, but Ridge Monte Bello is the California bottle that actually rewards patience and thought. It's a Cabernet-dominant blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains that ages like a great Bordeaux — and on a list this trophy-heavy, most tables walk right past it.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine for a chain steakhouse. At Carne Mare, with Conterno and Giacosa on the same list, ordering Caymus is like flying business class and spending the whole flight watching the same movie you've seen five times. The markup won't be kind, and the list has better answers at every price point.
Bruno Giacosa Barolo + Gorgonzola-cured Wagyu strip loin
Giacosa's Barolo brings the kind of tannic structure and dried cherry depth that can actually stand up to the richness of Wagyu without getting steamrolled — and the gorgonzola curing adds a funky, salty edge that makes the wine's acidity snap to attention. This is the pairing that justifies the reservation.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Carne Mare is the real deal — a serious Italian cellar dropped inside a stunning room on the East River, backed by sommeliers who know what they're pouring. Markups are New York steakhouse-steep, but if you navigate toward the Italian side of the list, you'll drink exceptionally well.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.