Domaine Hudson, Wilmington

Michael Ross's résumé includes stints as the director of the Nuclear Medicine Program and a professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Clinical Studies. So it's a little startling, amid those qualifications, to also see "restaurateur." Since 2011, however, Michael and his wife, Beth, have elevated Domaine Hudson into a critical darling that's racked up myriad awards.

Most of those—including a 2013 Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator—celebrate the eatery's wine list, which encompasses 450-plus bottles, as well as 40 wines by the glass. To help navigate the staggering selection, the entire Domaine Hudson staff is formally trained in pairing food and wine, as well as choosing which reds won't clash with your lipstick. Besides wine, the restaurant's beverage options extend to more than 60 craft beers, not to mention seasonal cocktails and more than a dozen brands of scotch.

In contrast with the seemingly endless drink choices, Chef Dwain Kalup supplies a concise menu of New American cuisine. The Domaine Hudson culinary team packs plenty of flavors into each inspired dish, from bay scallops dusted in curry spices to succulent duck breast served alongside roasted-chestnut purées. Dwain likewise showcases numerous artisan cheeses and sweet-tooth-tempting desserts, including pistachio tortes with brown-butter honey emulsions.