Wine pairing with steak is as much an art as a science. The right wine can elevate the flavors, while the wrong match can clash or diminish the meal. But fear not — with a few guiding principles and a sense of adventure, you can make confident choices. And if you’re planning a night out for happy hour in Brentwood, TN, you’ll also be ready to pick a wine at the bar that enhances your steak dinner with Serrato’s Steakhouse. 

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into specific cuts, it’s helpful to know the core elements of wine that affect how well it pairs with steak:

• Body / Weight: Lighter wines (like Pinot Noir) are more delicate; heavier wines (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Sirah) have more structure.
• Tannins: These are compounds that make your mouth pucker. Tannins help cut through fat and enrich meat, but too much for a lean steak can overpower it.
• Acidity: Wines with good acidity freshen the palate and cut richness.
• Fruit, Oak, and Flavor Profile: Oak-aged wines, or those with dark fruit, earthy or herbal notes, can add complexity to the pairing.
• A general rule: richer, fattier, or more strongly flavored steak cuts call for a bolder, more tannic wine. Leaner cuts invite lighter, more subtle wines.

Ribeye / Delmonico / Prime Rib 

These cuts are well-marbled, juicy, and often rich with fat. They shine when paired with full-bodied wines that can stand up to their richness.

• Classic match: Cabernet Sauvignon (especially Napa or Bordeaux-style). Its bold tannins and dark fruit often complement the marbling beautifully.
• Other good picks: A big Malbec (especially from Argentina), Petite Sirah, Syrah / Shiraz, or Zinfandel.
• Fun twist: Try a robust Bordeaux blend (e.g. blending Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec) or a textured Rioja Gran Reserva.

New York Strip / Striploin 

The strip is a middle ground between very fatty cuts and lean ones. It has good flavor but isn’t overwhelmingly rich.

• Go-to wines: Merlot (especially the richer, fuller styles), medium-plus Cabernet Sauvignon, or a well-structured Grenache blend.
• Alternative: A red Bordeaux (with more Merlot than Cabernet) or a St. Emilion might yield a nice balance.

Filet Mignon / Tenderloin 

Filet is prized for its tenderness more than bold flavor. It’s a lean cut, so it needs a more delicate wine to highlight nuances.

• Top pick: Pinot Noir (from Oregon, Burgundy, or California). The red fruit and gentle tannins are harmonious.
• Others to try: Nebbiolo (Barolo or Barbaresco), a well-aged Merlot, or even a lighter-aged Bordeaux or Cabernet Franc.
• If you want red but bold: Go for a well-aged Bordeaux or a softer Australian Shiraz, or decant a Cabernet to soften the tannins.

Porterhouse / T-Bone

Because a T-bone or porterhouse includes both a strip and a piece of tenderloin, your wine pairing has to satisfy both textures and flavors.

• Smart approach: Pick a wine in the medium to full-bodied spectrum that has both structure and finesse.
• Good choices: Bordeaux blend (Cabernet-dominant but with softer Merlot), premium Rhône blend, a well-made Cabernet Sauvignon with some age, or even a premium Malbec.

Serrato’s Steakhouse’s Happy Hour in Brentwood, TN

Serrato’s Steakhouse offers happy hour in Brentwood, TN Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, available at the bar or patio. That’s a perfect window to explore small pours, pair light bites with wine, or warm up your palate before a full dinner.

Ready to try it? Reserve a table at Serrato’s Steakhouse and explore our wine list alongside your steak choice. Cheers to delicious pairings!

As the leaves turn and the evenings grow crisper, there’s nothing quite like gathering around a table for a warm, comforting fall dinner. Below, we share seasonal ingredients, dinner tips, and favorites from restaurants in Franklin, TN, to try with Serrato’s Steakhouse! 

Seasonal Ingredients to Highlight

Fall is the moment when our palettes shift toward heartier flavors: root vegetables, rich meats, warming spices, and bold red wines. It’s a time to slow down, linger over courses, and let the outside chill push us inside—into glowing kitchens and candlelit dining rooms. 

• Squash & Winter Squash: Roasted butternut, delicata, or acorn squash make excellent purées or roasted side dishes.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, turnips, and sweet potatoes add color and depth when roasted.
• Crisp Apples & Pears: Great in salads (like shaved fennel & apple) or desserts (like tarte Tatin or poached pears).
• Mushrooms & Chestnuts: Earthy mushrooms or roasted chestnuts pair especially well with game or beef.
• Herbs & Spices: Sage, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg, all enhance the warming character.

Whether you’re cooking at home or seeking a delicious night out, these ideas will help guide you.

What to Order at Serrato’s Steakhouse

On Serrato’s Dinner Menu, you’ll find hand-cut prime steaks, fresh seafood, and elegant sides. Some standout selections include:

• Signature Steaks (all served with rosemary garlic butter and choice of side). Options range from 6 oz cuts to 14 or 16 oz mains. 

• Bourbon Glaze Pork Chop: French cut pork chop with bourbon glaze, candied bacon, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. 
• Shrimp Scampi: Linguine pasta in scampi sauce with jumbo shrimp, capers, fresh Parmesan & garlic bread. 

Serrato’s also offers a curated happy hour (Monday–Friday, 3:30–5:30 pm) that includes shrimp tacos, filet mignon tacos, truffle parmesan fries, crispy calamari, and more. 

Fall-Friendly Ordering Tips at Serrato’s

Serrato’s combines a refined ambiance with high culinary standards, making it ideal for date nights, special celebrations, or an elevated evening out: 

• Enhance any steak with seasonal side upgrades or truffle mashed potatoes or mushrooms.
• Consider surf-and-turf combos when you’d like both land and sea on one plate.
• Start with a happy hour bite or a seafood appetizer as a lighter welcome.
• For dessert, check if they offer seasonal sweets or a dessert cocktail from their dessert-drink menu (e.g. Espresso Martini, Port Manhattan). 

With a full-service bar, handcrafted cocktails, a rich wine list, and a menu that can flex between steak-forward and seafood-forward dishes, it’s a versatile spot. 

Make It a Night to Remember at Serrato’s Steakhouse

If you’re looking for a standout fall dining experience among restaurants in Franklin, TN, Serrato’s Steakhouse is worth considering. Whether you go for a perfectly cut steak, a surf-and-turf, or one of our elegant seafood dishes, you’ll find a menu built to impress. Complement it with our cocktails or wine, and finish with a dessert-drink or sweet offering.

Ready to dine? Visit us at Serrato’s Steakhouse to secure your table for a memorable fall dinner!