Jenna Intersimone|Bridgewater Courier News
It's undebatable that COVID-19 has ravaged the restaurant industry, leaving a slew of permanently closed doors in its wake and even more to come.
The New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association (NJRHA) predicts that at least 40 percent of restaurants will close.More than 23 percentof independent restaurants in New Jersey have already closed, according to Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
READ: These Central Jersey restaurants shut their doors in 2020
However, it isn't all doom and gloom. Despite the dumpster fire that was 2020, several restaurateurs were still able to see their dreams come to fruition with the openings of several new spots throughout Central Jersey this year.
Here are just a few that should be on your must-try list.
The Inn at Glen Gardner, Glen Gardner
When the former owners purchased theGlen Gardner Inn, a longtime special occasion spot in a 250-year-old building, in 2016, they changed the name to Humphrey's Tavern. Following that restaurant's closure in mid-2019, though, the new owners went back to a play on the original name: The Inn at Glen Gardner.
The Inn at Glen Gardner focuses on American comfort food with local ingredients, such as braised lamb shank, pan-roasted chicken, turkey meatloaf and butternut squash lasagna.
It also plans to highlight a new brewery each month and dedicate four taps to that brewery. Through December, that brewery is Sunken Silo Bew Works, located in Lebanon.
Go:161 Main St., Glen Gardner;908-574-5341,theinnrestaurant.com.
Lobster Alley, Raritan
Although the pandemic keptNew Jersey residents at home this summer, Lobster Alley, which opened June 18 in Raritan, quickly stepped in to bring a taste of the shore to Central Jersey.
The restaurantgets lobsters sent overnightfresh, never frozen, from Maine. ItoffersConnecticut and New England-style lobster rolls, Cajun shrimp rolls, lobster mac 'n’ cheese andboardwalk fare like Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches, ice cream sandwiches and lemonade.
READ: In 14 days, a Raritan lobster roll joint is born from a catering company
Although the restaurant currently only offers outdoor, heated seating as well as takeout service, next year, the interior of Lobster Alley may be reconfigured to accommodate indoor dining.
Go:18 W Somerset St., Raritan; 908-566-6414,mycateringsolutions.net/lobster-alley
Oink and Moo Market, Somerville
After Oink and Moo BBQ and Brew, a restaurant born of a food truck, closed in Union Township in Hunterdon County in August, it made a new home in Somerville with a market and fast-casual concept at the former home of Main Street Gourmet Deli, which also closed in August.
The new Oink and Moo BBQ Market opened Oct. 7 with dishes such as stuffed cornbread, smoked BBQ wings, pork belly bao buns and Carolina pulled pork sandwiches, in addition to market items such as meats, sauces and rubs; and wood chips, charcoal and grill accessories.
READ: Oink and Moo BBQ replacing Main Street Gourmet Deli in Somerville
Joshua Sacks, the owner of the food truck, is a joint partnership with Kevin Trimarchi, former owner of Main Street Gourmet Deli and owner of 22 West Tap and Grill in Bound Brook.
Go:63 W. Main St., Somerville;908-864-4277, oinkandmoobbq.com.
Orchard Park, East Brunswick
With five restaurants throughout New Jersey, David Burke has already made his mark on the Garden State. But with the opening of his newest restaurant, Orchard Park, the restauranteur and frequent guest on "Top Chef Masters" has finally stepped foot in Central Jersey.
Orchard Park opened Dec. 8 at the Chateau Grande Hotel on the grounds of 15-acre French country estate-inspired Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick, servingtried-and-true dishes he is best known for, including clothesline bacon, pretzel crab cake, lobster dumplings and salt-aged prime steaks.
READ: David Burke's first Central Jersey restaurant is opening Tuesday
The colossal 5,700-square-foot restaurantfeatures high ceilings, an open kitchen, chef’s table, wine room and Burke’s signature illuminated pink Himalayan salt brick wall, and includes 170 seats inside and 70 outside.
Go:670 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick;732-307-8833,orchardparkbydb.com.
TAPGastropub, Warren
When 30-year-old Somerset Hills Hotel closed in late 2017, so did its popular local watering hole, the 15-year-oldTap Room. But following a $22 million renovation, the hotel is back as a Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel— and so is the Tap Room, reimagined.
TAP Gastropub, which pays homage to the Tap Room,opened Dec. 7, offering artisanal pub fare such as18-hour Pat LaFrieda short ribs,Barth’s Market bangers and mash, eggplant tikka masala, fried cheese curds and a TAP burger.
READ: Somerset Hills Hotel to reopen as Tapestry Collection by Hilton following $22M renovation
The pub also offers six beers on tap, most of them local, as well as beer cans and bottles, craft co*cktails and wines.
Go:200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren;908-542-1111,tapgastropub.com.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA Today Network New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone.
