Released today, our 2008 America’s Top Restaurants Survey – based on input from 132,000 surveyors and covering 1,416 eateries in 42 markets – reflected a greener, healthier and more casual U.S. dining scene.
Of all the restaurants surveyed, only 11 received a 29 rating for food: Bacchanalia in Atlanta, Barrington’s in Charlotte, Carlos’ in Chicago, Jean-Robert at Pigall’s in Cincinnati, Thomas Henkelmann in Connecticut, French Room in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Sanford in Milwaukee, Nicholas in New Jersey, Gary Danko in San Francisco, Inn at Little Washington in Washington, DC, and Xaviar’s at Piermont in Westchester/Hudson Valley, NY. No restaurants in New York or LA, where diners are notoriously picky, got a 29 rating, though ten did garner a 28.
Reflecting the growing interest in sustainably raised foods, an overwhelming majority of West Coast residents – Portland (80%), Seattle (72%) and San Francisco (67%) – say they are willing to pay more for it. Countrywide, nearly three out of five diners say they would pay more for sustainably raised food, and 55% say they’d pay more for organic food.
In addition, consumers are showing a growing interest in small plates and casual dining, with more and more diners tossing off the neckties. "Even at fine dining establishments, diners are insisting on casual dress and mien,” said Zagat Survey CEO Tim Zagat.