Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster, NJ: A Restaurant Review
The Pluckemin Inn: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Very Expensive
Food Quality: Creative, well-executed seasonal menu using local farm to table, fresh ingredients from nearby farms.
Service: Professional, friendly, attentive.
Ambiance: Attractive, upscale, set in a restored Revolutionary War-era farmhouse
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 Stars
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Upscale casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well prepared new American food in an attractive, upscale setting with a warm & inviting ambiance.
Not Recommended For: Diners who prefer simpler food in a less upscale, classic tavern setting.
Recommended dishes: When available; The Scottish Salmon; The Muscovy Duck; and The New York Strip Steak
Liquor: Full service bar with over 40,00 wine bottles in stock.
Restaurant Review
The Pluckemin Inn has consistently managed to be rated as one of New Jersey's top restaurants
This 140-seat restaurant, set in a restored Revolutionary War-era farmhouse, gets high marks for well-prepared contemporary American food, service, and decor.
It is a destination restaurant and an ideal place to celebrate a special occasion, or for business dining, people watching, or for a quiet dinner conversation. It's popular with 50 + upscale dinners who are willing to pay a higher price for good food and good wine.
From the outside, the building resembles a colonial northeast structure, yet once you step foot inside, the ambiance is rustic California wine country with hard wood floors, amber colored walls, French oak accents, brick archways, with seating around the perimeter of a multi-story wine tower surrounded in glass. With two levels of dining, there is also a private dining room and a lively bar & lounge area. In the wintertime the fireplace is on adding to its charm.
ThePluckemin Inn is owned by Gloria LaGrassa who has managed to build a reputation of hiring and grooming some of New Jersey's top chefs.
The kitchen is run by Executive Chef Jason Ramos who comes with impressive culinary credentials. Chef Ramos received his formal culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America. He later honed his culinary skills at Harvest Moon Inn in Ringoes, followed by serving as chef de cuisine at Stage Left in New Brunswick. In 2009 he spent three years as executive sous chef at the Pluckemin working under Michelin-starred chef Juan Jose Cuevas. He later left the Pluckemin Inn to become the chef de cuisine of the Bernard’s Inn, followed by a brief stint as the executive chef of the Dog & Cask Gastropub in Rochelle Park. In 2015 he served as the executive chef at the Peacock Inn in Princeton, before returning to the Pluckemin Inn in 2016.
Chef Ramos is adept at preparing a creative, a well-executed seasonal menu. He is technique driven in the preparation of simple, approachable menu.
The menu items are prepared using local farm to table, fresh ingredients from nearby farms.
The service at the Pluckemin Inn is professional, well trained, knowledgeable, and anticipatory.
The Pluckemin Inn is also a great destination for wine enthusiasts, with an impressive selection of wines under the management of sommelier Brian Hider.
For those who prefer to do lunch, or for a more casual setting, you can enjoy your meal in “The Plucky” tavern at The Pluckemin Inn.
The Pluckemin Inn is open six days. week: Mon - Thurs 11:30 am - 8 pm Fri 11:30 am - 8:30 pm Sat 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
There is valet parking for dinner service on Friday & Saturday evenings.
Updated: October 2023
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