The results are in, and after tabulating votes from more than 145,000 diners, Zagat’s 2010 America’s Top Restaurants survey was released today. Covering over 1,500 eateries in 45 major U.S. markets, the survey not only highlights the top restaurants across the country, it also provides insight into the nation’s dining habits and trends – and how they’ve been affected by the past year’s economic turmoil. Many surveyors reported cutting back: 43% say they’re eating out less and 36% are eating in less pricey places. But on the plus side, 54% report finding better deals, as restaurateurs took to extending Restaurant Weeks and offering more prix fixes (still, the average cost of a meal nationwide rose 1.2%, to $34.62). The economy also prompted a number of restaurateurs to open more affordable concepts, including Atlanta’s Abattoir, San Antonio’s Il Sogno and San Francisco’s soon-to-open Barbacco. You can get your copy of the survey here.