Zagat Releases New Atlanta Dining Survey
Tech Savvy Atlantans Becoming More Budget-Conscious - Bacchanalia Wins for Food and Popularity
Zagat released the results of its latest Atlanta Restaurants survey today, with coverage of 737 restaurants in Atlanta as voted on by 2,741 local, online surveyors. This marks the 20th year of Zagat in Atlanta. The survey results can be found at www.ZAGAT.com and on its award winning mobile site ZAGAT.mobi, and ZAGAT TO GO(SM).
Plugged-In: This year, 51% of Atlanta surveyors said they typically make their restaurant reservations online – a jump from 40% in 2008. Only San Francisco has a higher percentage of reservations made online (52%).
Economics: When asked how the economy has affected their dining habits, surveyors reported eating out less (35%), eating in less expensive places (34%), being more attentive to prices (38%) and cutting back on appetizers, dessert and alcohol. Despite this, Atlantans eat out 3.3 times a week, slightly above the national average of 3.2 and despite meal cost inflation that was a surprisingly high 6.9%. Still, the city remains a relative bargain with the average meal costing $31.35, well below the national average of $35.25 and the price in places such as New York ($41.81) and Miami ($39.86). When asked what positive effects the economy has had on their dining habits, surveyors said they are finding better deals at restaurants (66%), feel their patronage is more appreciated (46%), feel it's easier to get tables at popular places (41%) and are eating more healthfully as a result of cutting back on alcohol, desserts, etc (25%).
Winners: On top this year is Bacchanalia, winning both for Food with a rare 29 out of a possible 30, and for popularity. Bacchanalia's win is especially impressive since its sibling, Quinones Room at Bacchanalia, came into #2 for food, #3 for decor and #1 for service. This year's top five winners in the major categories are below:
Top Food Top Decor Top Service Most Popular
-------- --------- ----------- ------------
Nan Thai Quinones Room
1) Bacchanalia Fine Dining at Bacchanalia Bacchanalia
Quinones Room at
2) Bacchanalia Nikolai's Roof Bacchanalia Bone's
Quinones Room
3) Aria at Bacchanalia Bone's Buckhead Diner
4) McKendrick's
Steak Canoe La Grotta Rathbun's
5) Chops Lobster
Bone's Dogwood Bar Canoe
Newcomers: Atlanta's Westside is home to a wealth of newcomers this year. As the following examples show, they vary in cuisine and price point:
- Antico Pizza – Pizza; M
- Bocado – American; M
- Bone Garden Catina – Mexican; I
- Evos – Burgers/Vegetarian; I
- Leon's Full Service – American; I
- Miller Union – American; M
- Ormsby's – Pub Food; I
- Ri Ra Irish Pub – Pub Food; M
- The Counter – Burgers; I
- Varazano's Pizzeria – Pizza; I
