Wolfgang's Steakhouse opens in Somerville

SOMERVILLE – It was like a glamorous Hollywood premiere.

There was a red carpet outside the front door and searchlights crisscrossed the sky over Main Street on Wednesday evening.

It was the grand opening celebration of Wolfgang's Steakhouse, the local home of a renowned international steakhouse chain that has four locations in Manhattan, two in Tokyo and one each in Miami, Honolulu, Beverly Hills, Calif. and Seoul.

"I opened the website today (http://www.wolfgangssteakhouse.net/) and there was Somerville," said Mayor Brian Gallagher shortly before cutting the ribbon to the restaurant which started serving customers on Thursday.

Gallagher could not stop smiling as he watched the restaurant, located on the ground floor of The Edge at Main, centerpiece of the Somerville Town Center and the borough's Main Street redevelopment area, fill with local officials and business people who were enjoying a complimentary buffet.

Wolfgang's Steakhouse is the creation of Wolfgang Zweiner, once head waiter at Peter Luger's Steakhouse in Brooklyn. He opened his first steakhouse in 2004 on Park Avenue in Manhattan and now has locations, around the world, including Somerville.

"We're proud to be part of the resurgence of Somerville," said Peter Zweiner, Wolfgang's son, who is now managing partner of the chain.

The signature dish at the steakhouse is a sizzling Porterhouse steak that has been aged for 28 days in the restaurant's own aging box and cooked in a 1,600-degree broiler.

But, like all classic New York steakhouses, there are other standout entrees on Wolfgang's menu, including grilled Chilean sea bass and filet mignon. Side dishes include creamed spinach and German potatoes with appetizers like ahi tuna tartare and sizzling Canadian bacon.

Initial reviews at the grand opening celebration were enthusiastic.

"This is great," said Somerset County Freeholder Peter Palmer. "This puts Somerville in the top tier. We're up here with New York and Tokyo."

Mike Kerwin, president of the Somerset County Economic Partnership and a former Somerville mayor, said Wolfgang's Steakhouse, will put "Somerville on the map."

"It's good for everybody in Somerville," said Councilman Dennis Sullivan, adding that it is "encouraging to see corporate America" coming to Main Street.

In a town known known for its variety and number of restaurants, Gallagher predicted that Wolfgang's Steakhouse will stand out and become "a destination."

"This will draw more and more folks to downtown Somerville," the mayor said. "This will attract people from all over the region."

Gallagher said the opening of Wolfgang's Steakhouse at 119 W. Main St., is another step in the continuing revitalization of downtown Somerville, which started a decade ago.

The mayor reiterated that Somerville has become a model for other towns that want to revitalize their downtowns. Construction is expected to begin this year on a parking garage behind Shop-Rite Progress also is expected on the plans for a transit village development near the train station and NJ Transit is finalizing an agreement for an ambitious project that could eventually result in the construction of 675 housing units next to the Raritan Valley Line train station.

"There are more good things to come," said Jack Morris, the developer of Somerville Town Center.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com