Special to the
Opelika Observer
Wine Spectator has uncorked the winners of the 2019 Restaurant Awards, which includes three establishments in the Auburn-Opelika area.
Acre, Amsterdam Cafe and The Depot are among 3,800 dining destinations from all 50 U.S. states and 79 international countries to receive honors from the Restaurant Awards program.
Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are judged on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,447, 124 and 100 winners this year in each respective category.
“We’re pleased to shine a spotlight on the destinations around the world that show devotion to their wine program, while also creating a comprehensive global dining guide for our readers to enjoy,” said Wine Spectator Editor and Publisher Marvin R. Shanken. “Both novice wine lovers and seasoned sommeliers alike actively seek and frequent restaurants with exciting, well-curated wine lists. Bravo to all the 2019 recipients—we raise a glass to you.”
All winners are profiled at Restaurants.WineSpectator.com and in the Restaurant Awards app. The app, available free on the App store, allows iPhone and iPad users to find nearby award-winning restaurants, with maps, plus helpful information about cuisine, wine and pricing.
The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers. Best of Award of Excellence recipients offer more extensive selections with significant vintage depth and excellent breadth across multiple regions.
The Grand Award is the program’s highest honor. This elite group comprises the world’s best wine programs, which deliver serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vantages, excellent harmony with the menu and superior presentation. Wine Spectator carefully assesses each Grand Award candidate, including rigorous independent, on-site inspections of the wine program, cellar, service, ambiance and cuisine of the restaurant.
The full list of award winners is available in print in Wine Spectator’s August issue, on newsstands July 16.
Follow the Restaurant Awards on Twitter and Instagram, with the hashtag #WSRestaurantAward.
Following is the location of each of the local winners:
• Acre – 210 E. Glenn Ave.
• Amsterdam Cafe – 410 S. Gay St.
• The Depot – 124 Mitcham Ave.
About Wine
Spectator
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches nearly three million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 15,000 wines each year. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.