Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileFleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
West Hartford, CT · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Fleming’s runs a serious beverage program behind its steakhouse label. The cocktail list shows real intent—house-made five-spice syrup, clarified margaritas, and a smoked old fashioned—while the wine bar pours by the 2 oz and 6 oz, with flights and a sommelier’s prix fixe. Social Hour brings $9 cocktails and wines nightly. Zero-proof options are treated with the same care as the full-proof ones.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Signature Smoked Old Fashioned, which layers Basil Hayden Toast bourbon with Angostura bitters and house-made five-spice syrup. For something lighter, The Butterfly Effect mixes St-Germain, prosecco, and transformative tea. Wine drinkers should consider the Pretty in Pink flight for a three-part rosé comparison.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a polished, ingredient-driven list will find familiar creativity here. Wine lovers can explore a global list with varied pour sizes, from 2 oz tastes to full bottles. The zero-proof menu makes it a comfortable stop for designated drivers or those skipping alcohol.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature cocktails run $17 to $24, with Social Hour options at $9. Wine by the glass on the lunch menu spans $9 to $28; the wine bar offers 2 oz pours from $3 to $25 and 6 oz pours from $9 to $75. The Sommelier's Prix Fixe is $150 per guest.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The dual steakhouse and wine bar identity gives the program unusual range: a dedicated wine bar with flights and tasting events alongside a cocktail list that includes theatrical touches like bergamot-scented clouds and a smoked old fashioned. The nightly Social Hour makes this ambition accessible at a $9 price point.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The hand-crafted cocktail menu shows genuine range, from a smoked old fashioned with house-made five-spice syrup to clarified margaritas and elderflower-spiked sparklers. Social Hour offers $9 cocktails nightly, and one recent customer account singled out the Small Batch Smash as a standout for its strength.
Menu strengths
- — Eight named cocktails with layered, house-made components like five-spice syrup and salted caramel syrup.
- — Pricing spans a reasonable $17-$24, with a nightly Social Hour dropping cocktails to $9.
Standout selections
- — Signature Smoked Old Fashioned — Basil Hayden Toast bourbon, Angostura bitters, house-made five-spice syrup ($24).
- — The Butterfly Effect — St-Germain, prosecco, lime, transformative tea ($17).
- — Small Batch Smash — 1792 Small Batch bourbon, muddled mint, maple syrup, lemon ($17).
Pricing: $17-$24; $9 during Social Hour
Wine
The wine program is extensive, with a dedicated wine bar offering curated selections, flights, and a Sommelier's Prix Fixe. The list includes recognizable names like Caymus and Silver Oak, plus a rosé flight. The wine list is currently being updated, so selections may vary.
Menu strengths
- — Wide pricing flexibility with 2 oz and 6 oz pours, accommodating both tasting and full-glass preferences.
- — Dedicated wine bar with flights and a $150 Sommelier's Prix Fixe experience.
Standout selections
- — Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2019 — 2 oz $20 / 6 oz $60.
- — Pretty in Pink Wine Flight — three 2 oz rosés: Lucien Albrecht, Chateau d'Estoublon, Banfi ($15).
- — Domaine Laroche Saint Martin Chablis, 2022 — 2 oz $9 / 6 oz $27.
Pricing: 2 oz pours $3-$25; 6 oz pours $9-$75; lunch glasses $9-$28
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated zero-proof cocktail menu mirrors the full bar's creativity, using Seedlip and Lyre's spirits alongside house-made syrups. Lunch adds lighter options like Blackberry Lavenderade and TOST. Pricing is consistent with the cocktail list, making these more than an afterthought.
Menu strengths
- — Six named nonalcoholic options, from spirit-forward zero-proof cocktails to sparkling tea.
- — Creative use of Seedlip and Lyre's, with house-made vanilla-sage and golden turmeric syrups.
Standout selections
- — Espresso Yourself — Seedlip Notas de Agave, vanilla-sage syrup, fresh espresso ($13).
- — Golden State of Mind — Seedlip Grove 42, pineapple, golden turmeric syrup, ginger beer ($13).
- — Blackberry Lavenderade — blackberries, lemon, lavender syrup, sparkling water ($8).
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $13; other NA beverages $8-$13
Spirits
There is no standalone spirits list or flights, but the range is respectable and includes both familiar and craft labels.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktail menu incorporates a variety of spirits, including bourbon, vodka, gin, rum, and tequila.
- — After-dinner cocktails use Woodford Reserve bourbon and other premium pours.
Standout selections
- — Basil Hayden Toast bourbon — used in the Signature Smoked Old Fashioned.
- — 1792 Small Batch bourbon — used in the Small Batch Smash.
- — WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye — used in the Jones Street Manhattan.
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