ZAGAT.com Rolls Out New Features

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zagat Survey reveals a series of enhancements to its recently rebuilt ZAGAT.com. Since its debut in February, the website has expanded its already best-in-class restaurant search with the Compare, Matrix and Stats views, relaunched its deals program, Zagat Exclusives (powered by Savored), and has integrated OpenTable reservations within the site.

"We are continually working on new ways to help our users find the right restaurant for any occasion," said Nina Zagat, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Zagat Survey. "These most recent additions represent our focus on making it easier for our members to make smart decisions and take action."

New ZAGAT.com search features offer users, especially premium members, more powerful search capabilities:

• Compare – A first for a restaurant information site, the "Compare" feature offers a vertical side-by-side display of a selection of restaurants that includes all the pertinent information such as reviews, stats, signature dishes and more. This tool is ideal once you've narrowed your search to a few restaurants and want to make a final decision.

• Matrix view – Another major innovation, the "Matrix" view represents Zagat's foray into data visualization. The restaurants' ratings are plotted on an interactive chart that can be sorted and filtered. This first iteration plots Food score against Cost to display the relative value of a restaurant or its "Bang for the Buck."

• Stats view – The "Stats" view offers a tabular display for comparing not only the signature Zagat ratings for Food, Decor, Service and Cost but also for never-before-seen metrics relating to value and popularity. The results can be expanded to display up to 100 restaurants at a time and can be quickly sorted by any column of data.  

Reservations:  Once users have found the right restaurant, making a reservation is easier than ever. A new integration with OpenTable allows Zagat users to make dining reservations without leaving the site – providing a seamless experience.

Deals:  Through Zagat Exclusives (powered by Savored), users can search for deals at hundreds of highly rated restaurants in nine major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC). For just $10 a diner can book a table at any participating restaurant and receive 30% off the entire bill, including alcohol.* Zagat users will have first access to deals at three top restaurants on a weekly basis in each city. Some of this week's advance offers include DB Bistro Moderne (New York), Le Bec Fin (Philadelphia) and La Grotta Ravinia (Atlanta).

Since the discount is booked online, there is no need to present a voucher or coupon at the beginning or end of the meal; the bill is automatically adjusted. Users can search all available deals at http://www.zagat.com/deals, or view offers on participating restaurants' ZAGAT.com profile page.

* At the restaurants' discretion, tables may be limited. Also, Massachusetts liquor laws forbid restaurants from discounting alcoholic drinks. Restaurants in Boston will offer members 40% off their food total rather than 30% off food and drink.

About Zagat Survey, LLC: Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the "most up-to-date," "comprehensive" and "reliable" guide, published on all platforms. Zagat content is available to consumers wherever and whenever they need it: on ZAGAT.com, ZAGAT.mobi, ZAGAT TO GO for smartphones and in book form.

SOURCE Zagat Survey