6 Somerset County Restaurants Among Wine Spectator 2020 Winners

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The restaurant industry is perhaps the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Months into the crisis, many of us still aren’t venturing out to that quaint downtown bistro to savor a meal and a glass of our favorite merlot.

Putting aside the challenging year, Wine Spectator magazine recently released its list of 2020 Restaurant Award winners, honoring the best in the industry and recognizing the devotion displayed by an industry that has, according to a statement posted to its website, "come together to support its members and the communities they serve."

The annual list typically gives us a generous glimpse at the best spots in Somerset County. This year, six restaurants in our county earned a nod from Wine Spectator.

The annual Restaurant Awards honor excellence in restaurant wine lists, as well as those who have demonstrated passion and devoted extensive resources to creating outstanding wine programs.

This year, the awards honored 3,800 restaurants in 50 states and 80 countries and territories. Awards were given in three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award.

The Grand Award is Wine Spectator’s most prestigious honor, given to the world’s most elite wine programs. Read profiles of all 100 current Grand Award winners.

Candidates for the Grand Award are required to undergo a rigorous inspection by Wine Spectator judges; however, this year, travel restrictions and mandatory restaurant shutdowns made inspections impossible. As a result, the magazine named no new restaurants to the 2020 Grand Award list.

The Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster was among the few to earn a Grand Award. The restaurant set inside an 18th-century farmhouse earned its award for its strengths in Burgundy, California, Piedmont, Rhône, Bordeaux, Tuscany, Champagne, Loire, and Washington selections. Overall pricing for wine is listed as expensive.

Check out the other restaurants in Somerset County that earned nods for excellence this year:

• Seasons 52, Bridgewater: Award of Excellence
• Wolfgang's Steakhouse, Somerville: Award of Excellence
• The Stonehouse at Stirling Ridge, Warren: Award of Excellence
• Water and Wine Ristorante-Taverna, Watchung: Best of Award of Excellence

The hospitality industry remains hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and is still working to get back on its feet. Abrupt closures, inconsistent reopenings, changes in public health guidance for operations and other state-mandated orders have pushed the industry to the brink.

Two months into the pandemic, 40 percent of America’s restaurants were shuttered and 8 million employees out of work — three times the job losses seen by any other industry, according to a Forbes report. While some restaurants began reopening in May and June, most featured only takeout, delivery or outdoor dining options due to local restrictions.

In June, the number of diners remained down more than 65 percent year over year, and the National Restaurant Association has projected an industry revenue shortfall of $240 billion for the year.