Jonathan's Ristorante
Long Island's Italian Night Done Right
Huntington · Huntington · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 19, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list arrives looking like a love letter to the Italian peninsula, with California playing a supporting role that earns its spot. White tablecloths, warm lighting, and a 150-plus bottle list that takes itself seriously — this is a neighborhood Italian joint that actually respects the wine side of the equation. Wine Spectator has handed out their Award of Excellence here since 2020, and it's not hard to see why.
Selection Deep Dive
Piedmont and Tuscany anchor the list the way they should at a place like this — Barolo from the likes of Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa, Brunello from Biondi-Santi and Banfi, Super Tuscans including Sassicaia and Tignanello, and Amarone from Allegrini and Masi. California holds its own with Jordan and Stag's Leap on the Cab side and Rombauer and Sonoma-Cutrer carrying the Chardonnay flag. The range tops out with prestige bottles like Gaja Barbaresco and Opus One for those looking to spend. What's missing is any real adventure outside these two regions — no Friuli, no skin-contact, nothing from southern Italy — but for its target audience, this list delivers exactly what it promises.
By the Glass
With 10 to 16 options by the glass, there's enough rotation to keep regulars from ordering the same Chianti every Tuesday. The program isn't flashy — you're not going to find a grower Champagne or a Jura Chardonnay up there — but the quality floor is solid. Alex Vergara on staff means someone is actually paying attention to what's in those bottles.
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2018 — $165
Brunello at this price point at a white-tablecloth restaurant is genuinely reasonable. Banfi is a reliable, well-distributed producer and the 2018 vintage in Montalcino was excellent — you're getting a serious wine without the ego pricing that usually comes with it.
Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021
In a room full of Italian heavyweights, this one gets overlooked. Flowers works a rugged stretch of the Sonoma Coast where the fog actually matters, and at $92 on a restaurant list it's a lighter touch that earns its place next to pasta without bullying it.
Opus One 2019
At $595 you're paying almost entirely for the label. Opus One is a Napa icon, sure, but it's also one of the most allocated, most marked-up bottles in American dining. The wine is good — it's not $595 good. Put that money toward two bottles of something that will actually surprise you.
Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019 + Short Rib Agnolotti
Barolo and braised short rib pasta is not a revelation — it's a classic for a reason. The Vietti Castiglione is a more approachable entry point into Barolo's tar-and-roses universe, and at $195 it's one of the more defensible luxury calls on the list alongside a dish that can take the weight.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — the single best reason to plan your week around dinner here.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Jonathan's is the kind of neighborhood Italian spot that actually earns its white tablecloths on the wine side — knowledgeable staff, a serious Italian backbone, and Wednesday half-price nights that make the steep markups more palatable. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, especially if they're skipping the Opus One.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.