Council Oak Steaks & Seafood in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine for its impressive menu of over 300 fine wines from more than 13 countries and staff trained in all of the exacting nuances of proper wine service. This is the 10th straight year the restaurant has been awarded this accolade.
The Award of Excellence recognizes wine lists that offer interesting selections and are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
There are four requirements:
- The wine list must present complete, accurate wine information.
- It must include vintages and appellations for all selections, including wines available by the glass.
- Producer names and correct spellings are mandatory.
- The overall presentation and appearance.
After meeting these basic requirements, lists are judged for one of the three awards. The Award of Excellence is offered for lists that feature a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood offers selections that represent numerous varietals, regions and prices ranging from $50 to $7,000, and features popular Napa Valley classics, Veuve Clicquot Champagnes and an eclectic selections of wines from Plumpjack Estate to Paul Hobbs Winery and more.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood hosted various wine pairing dinners over the last year that were true show-stoppers for wine enthusiasts showcasing some of the top wines in the industry!
The team members are the restaurant’s best asset. The fine dining establishment provides staff with an intensive six-week training program with wine training as a key component. In addition, regularly scheduled informational meetings on the topic are held, including visiting wine experts who share their expertise during special staff seminars. Each and every food server is educated on wine and regularly tested on this knowledge.
Be sure to check out Council Oak Steaks & Seafood’s award winning wine program and share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Cheers!