Wine Spectator Hands Out 2010 Restaurant Awards

Wine Spectator has announced its annual Restaurant Awards, honoring exemplary wine lists around the world.

(Actually, the magazine might have announced these a few weeks ago. Gut Check's subscription lapsed a year back -- though I do prop up my monitor on a stack of 2008 issues.)

This year two restaurants joined the list of local honorees: the Clayton location of J. Buck's and Niche. Both were given the Award of Excellence. Returning winners of the Award of Excellence, the first of the magazine's three award tiers, are Cardwell's at the Plaza, Charlie Gitto's on the Hill, Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Lucas Park Grille, the Melting Pot (both locations), Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood, Morton's, Remy's Kitchen & Wine Bar, Tony's and Vin de Set.

St. Louis restaurants winning the Best of Award of Excellence, the second tier of the awards, are Annie Gunn's, Monarch and Truffles.

No St. Louis restaurants were granted the highest award, the Grand Award.