Zagat Releases 2011 Washington/Baltimore Dining Survey: D.C.'s Marcel's and Baltimore's Charleston Are Top Rated; Zaytinya and Woodberry Kitchen Voted Most Popular; Amsterdam Falafel and Five Guys Are Best Buys
Surveyors Report on Effects of Tough Economy - They're Eating Out Less but Getting Better Deals and Feeling More Appreciated; Service Remains the Principal Complaint; Health Issues and Green Trend Play an Increasingly Important Role in Dining Decisions
NEW YORK, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Zagat Survey today released its 2011 Washington DC/Baltimore Restaurants Survey, covering 1,219 eateries in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas, including Annapolis and Frederick, Md., the Eastern Shore and Northern Virginia. This year, 6,484 local diners submitted their opinions on ZAGAT.com, incorporating a collective 883,000 annual meals' worth of experience into the Survey -- from their favorite restaurant choices to their main complaints. The local diners eat out 2.6 times per week compared with Zagat's 3.2 national average. With virtually no inflation, the average cost of a meal in the Washington area this year is $35.99 and $34.29 in the Baltimore area, bookending the U.S. average of $35.36. In addition to bookstores, the guide can be accessed on ZAGAT.com, ZAGAT TO GO for iPhone and iPad, and nru for Android, as well as through Foursquare, where diners can unlock the Zagat Foodie badge.
Winners: This year's survey winners across the major categories are as follows:
Washington, D.C. Area |
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Top Food |
Top Decor |
Top Service |
Most Popular |
|
1) Marcel's |
1) Inn at Little Washington |
1) Inn at Little Washington |
1) Zaytinya |
|
2) Inn at Little Washington |
2) Trummer's On Main |
2) Komi |
2) 2 Amy's |
|
3) Komi |
3) CityZen |
3) CityZen |
3) Central Michel |
|
4) CityZen |
4) 2941 Restaurant |
4) Marcel's |
4) Citronelle |
|
5) Rasika |
5) Oya |
5) L'Auberge/Francois |
5) Inn at Little Wash. |
|
Baltimore and Surrounding Areas |
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Top Food |
Top Decor |
Top Service |
Most Popular |
|
1) Charleston |
1) Charleston |
1) Charleston |
1) Woodberry Kitchen |
|
2) Volt |
2) Pazo |
2) Volt |
2) Charleston |
|
3) Prime Rib |
3) Scossa*/E |
3) Prime Rib |
3) Volt |
|
4) Samos |
4) Milton Inn |
4) Tersiguel's |
4) Cinghiale |
|
5) Di Pasquale's |
5) Antrim 1844 |
5) Linwoods |
5) Prime Rib |
|
* Indicates tie with restaurant above. (E=located in the Eastern Shore) |
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The Economy's Impact: The following charts (particularly 1, 3 and 4) show how the slow economy caused diners to eat out less and be more price-sensitive. Chart 2, in turn, reflects the positive effects that the economic downturn has had in changing habits:
(1) What effect, if any, has the weak economy had on your dining out habits? (Check all that apply)
I'm eating out less |
38% |
|
I'm being more attentive to prices |
36% |
|
I'm eating in less expensive places |
28% |
|
I'm skipping appetizers and/or dessert |
19% |
|
I'm cutting back on alcohol |
15% |
|
I'm going to expensive places for lunch |
9% |
|
I'm less likely to try new places |
8% |
|
Other |
2% |
|
Economy hasn't affected my dining habits |
33% |
|
(2) Has the economic downturn had any positive effects on your dining habits? (Check all that apply)
Finding better deals at restaurants |
52% |
|
Cooking more and enjoying it |
44% |
|
Feel patronage is more appreciated |
34% |
|
Easier to get a table at popular places |
26% |
|
Eating healthier (cutting alcohol/rich foods) |
20% |
|
Dine at better restaurants to ensure value |
15% |
|
Other |
5% |
|
(3) Of 14 possible lunches & dinners in a week, how many do you:
2011 |
2009 |
2007 |
2005 |
||
Skip? |
0.9 |
0.9 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
|
Cook at home? |
7.5 |
7.0 |
6.8 |
6.7 |
|
Eat out/take out? |
5.6 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
6.4 |
|
Total per week out of 14: |
13.1 |
13.1 |
13.2 |
13.1 |
|
% of meals eaten/taken out: |
43% |
47% |
48% |
49% |
|
(4) Compared with 2 years ago, do you eat out…?
More |
24% |
|
Same amount |
44% |
|
Less |
32% |
|
NET DECLINE |
8% |
|
Health and Greening: Charts (5) through (12) illustrate the importance of health and "green" issues to the public:
(5) How important to you is having low-carb, low-fat, or heart-healthy menu items available when dining out?
Extremely important |
12% |
|
Very important |
20% |
|
Somewhat important |
40% |
|
Not very important |
21% |
|
Not at all important |
7% |
|
(6) Have the reports regarding the mercury levels in fish affected how you order when dining out?
Yes, I'm avoiding certain types of fish now |
20% |
|
Yes, I'm cutting down on all types of fish |
3% |
|
No, it hasn't affected how much fish I eat |
77% |
|
(7) Should trans fats be banned from food preparation in restaurants?
Yes |
67% |
|
No |
33% |
|
(8) Should restaurants be required to conspicuously post a letter grade reflecting the results of their health dept. inspection?
Yes |
83% |
|
No |
17% |
|
(9) How important is it that the food you eat is "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised)?
Extremely important |
6% |
|
Very important |
16% |
|
Somewhat important |
46% |
|
Not very important |
24% |
|
Not at all important |
8% |
|
(10) Do you typically seek out restaurants with menus that focus on "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised foods) ingredients?
Yes |
34% |
|
No |
66% |
|
(11) Has the environmental impact of bottled water affected the kind of water you drink at restaurants?
Yes, I've changed to tap/filtered water |
10% |
|
No, I always drink tap/filtered water |
75% |
|
No, I still order bottled water if available |
7% |
|
Changed to tap/filtered water to cut spending |
5% |
|
I don't drink water in restaurants |
3% |
|
12) Are you willing to pay more for food that is "green" (i.e. locally sourced, organic, or sustainably raised)?
Yes |
63% |
|
No |
37% |
|
Service is the Weak Link: Unfortunately, service remains the main complaint about dining out, with 68% of votes. All other complaints cumulatively total 32%:
(13) What irritates you most about dining out?
Service |
68% |
|
Noise |
14% |
|
Food |
6% |
|
Prices |
6% |
|
Parking |
3% |
|
Crowding |
2% |
|
Other |
1% |
|
Details: The 2011 Washington DC/Baltimore Restaurants guide ($14.95) was edited by John Deiner with local editors Olga Boikess and Marty Katz. For information on Zagat's mobile products, please visit http://www.zagat.com/mobile. Both the guide book and the above apps have many breakouts of top lists by cuisine type, special features and neighborhood. And be sure to follow Zagat on Facebook and Twitter @ZagatBuzz for daily news and updates!
About Zagat Survey, LLC - Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for information about where to eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and such has become a symbol of quality. Zagat Survey rates and reviews airlines, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, resorts, shopping, spas and a range of other entertainment categories in more than 100 countries. It has been lauded as the "most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable guides ever published" and as "a necessity second only to a valid credit card." Zagat content is available in print, on the web, on the mobile web, iPhone, BlackBerry and on TV. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.
SOURCE Zagat Survey
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