Restaurants & Bars
Somerville Wine Bar Named 2026 Semifinalist For James Beard Awards
The business was opened in 2013 by its late founder.
SOMERVILLE, MA — A local bar has been named a semifinalist for a prestigious national culinary award.
Spoke Wine Bar at 89 Holland St. is one of the 15 chefs and restaurants in Massachusetts named as 2026 James Beard semifinalists, which was announced by the organization on Wednesday.
Sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” the awards recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the James Beard Foundation said. Awards also recognize a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. They have been a definitive source for culinary excellence for more than 35 years.
Receiving a James Beard Award can be transformational for restaurants and chefs. Recognition of any kind — whether as a semifinalist, nominee, or winner — can lead to significant visibility, new opportunities, and positive economic impact that helps sustain these vital businesses. In 2025, 96 percent of surveyed semifinalists reported a positive impact on their business and communities following their recognition, the organization said in a news release.
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See Also: 15 MA Restaurants, Chefs Named 2026 James Beard Semifinalists
Spoke Wine Bar launched in 2013 by founder Felisha Foster. Executive Chef John da Silva was brought on board to be the creator of small American dishes that have since earned the business critical acclaim. Its wine selection includes more than 60 bottle selections. Foster closed Spoke temporarily in 2016 after she was diagnosed with ALS. However, the closure lasted no more than six months, as former employee Mary Kurth purchased the business and reopened it. Foster died from her illness in October of 2017.
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Nominees will be announced on March 31, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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