The 2020 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award, a recognition program launched in 1981, took place this year despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s Wine Spectator Restaurant reviews featured 3,776 restaurants from across all U.S. and more than 79 international dining destinations. Seven (7) Westchester restaurants in New York, were adjudged as deserving of honors recognizing the excellence of their wines.

Marvin R. Shanken editor and publisher of Wine Spectator, said they decided to move forward with their program of honoring awardees despite the dire conditions faced by restaurants.

To celebrate the dedication, resilience and bravery of restaurants during these unprecedented times.” ”We hope all of the winners and the people working to make these New York restaurants special, will eventually find their way through the ongoing crisis, so they can welcome us again through their doors”

Unfortunately, one of the awardees, Winston Restaurant in Mount Kisco, has closed its doors permanently as a result of the extraordinary difficulties brought on by the pandemic.

Another fine dining destination, the BLT Steak in White Plains, is currently but temporarily closed, although management has signified intentions to reopen by September, 2020.

The Seven Westchester Restaurants and Their 2020 Wine Spectator Restaurant  Award

All the Westchester restaurant awardees are repeat winners, either as undisputed holders for years or as one-time honorees.

Topping the list as the Grand Award winner, is the Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills. Blue Hill has consistently earned the annual Grand Award recognition since 2016,

Another consistent winner is the Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua, which has been named 2020’s Best of Award of Excellence; a recognition garnered since 1994.

The Moderne Barn in Armonk Moderne Barn also won the Best of Award of Excellence, which it constantly garnered since 2012.

The Steakhouse in White Plains also won Best of .Award of Excellence, which the restaurant previously garnered in 2016.

Alba’s Ristorante in Port Chester was also honored with the Award of Excellence, which is a repeat of the restaurant’s achievement in 2014.

BLT Steak and Winston both received the 2020 Best of Award. The two are likewise repeat winners, when they received the Wine Spectator Restaurant Best of Award in 2015 and 2013, respectively.