NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Boston dining scene is adapting well to the current economic crisis according to Zagat Survey, which today released the results of its 2009/10 Boston Restaurants Survey, based on the opinions of 6,767 avid local diners. A spate of modestly priced newcomers premiered in the past year, and surveyors are eating out as much as (44%) or more (31%) than they did two years ago. On the downside 25% say they are eating out less often. Nonetheless, one thing is clear: Bostonians are adjusting their spending habits by paying more attention to prices (35%), patronizing less-expensive places (32%), and skipping appetizers, desserts or alcohol (16 to 18%).
"Boston's restaurateurs have made some wise moves in this tough economy," noted Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey. "They're offering plenty of special deals on their menus and answering customers' calls for more midpriced eateries. That's a good recipe for survival."
From lunch spots Downtown to the best clams on the Cape, Zagat's new guide covers 1,214 eateries in Boston, its suburbs, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and even The Berkshires. Zagat's trusted ratings and reviews are available not only as a guidebook, but also on ZAGAT.mobi and via ZAGAT TO GO(tm) -- Zagat's mobile application for iPhone, BlackBerry and PDAs -- providing portable access to 40,000 Zagat-Rated establishments worldwide, featuring top lists, ratings, reviews, photos, maps, online reservation capabilities and more.
Paul Pierce Partnership: This year, Zagat teamed up with Paul Pierce, captain of the Boston Celtics and NBA Finals MVP, to present Spotlight on Boston Restaurants: Paul Pierce's Favorites for Healthy Dining. The separate guidebook features Pierce's favorite healthy dishes at Zagat's Most Popular restaurants in Boston, plus advice for eating healthy when dining out, fitness tips, even his pre-game meal. Pierce's guide has been developed to benefit his Truth Foundation, which offers programs and resources for underprivileged youth.
"In order to lead a successful life you need to live a healthy one," says Pierce. "I am thrilled to have collaborated with Zagat Survey to highlight ways for Bostonians to eat healthy while dining out. Even when I go out to eat -- and I eat out all the time -- I try to make healthy decisions."
Best Buys: Boston restaurateurs make fine dining accessible to all. At top-rated restaurants such as L'Espalier and Radius, diners can enjoy bargain-priced prix fixe lunches. Dinner deals under $40 can be found at Catch, EVOO, Lumiere and Rendezvous. To the joy of the 43% of surveyors who enjoy patronizing restaurants of famous chefs, several lower-priced options from high-profile toques premiered this year: Barbara Lynch's Drink and Sportello, Ana Sortun's Sofra Bakery & Cafe and Chris Douglass' Tavolo. More great buys can be found at new arrivals like Franky N the Boys, Lavender Asian Cuisine & Bar and Wheeler's Cafe & Ice Cream Bar. Finally, Bostonians continue to get the best Bang for the Buck at stalwarts such as 1369 Coffee House, Anna's Taqueria, Baja Betty's, Boloco and b.good.
Winners: Although Boston's favorite cuisine is Italian (cited by 25% of respondents), the highest ratings for Food, Service and Decor go to French places. The "inventive" New French fare at L'Espalier wins Top Food, with Aujourd'hui close behind. The "elegant" setting and "ne plus ultra" of staffs at Aujourd'hui earn it Top Decor and Top Service honors. Yet again, Legal Sea Foods is rated Beantown's Most Popular restaurant. Other leading local favorites include Blue Ginger, No. 9 Park and Hamersley's Bistro.
Newcomers: This year's Top Newcomer is Hungry Mother in Kendall Square, where ex-Lumiere chef Barry Maiden's "high-end Southern comfort" menu has caused quite a stir. Cambridge is also home to another leading newcomer, Sofra Bakery & Cafe, which features Middle Eastern pastries and savories. In spite of its suburban location in Newton Lower Falls, Hotel Indigo's Bokx 109 American Prime, a "dynamic hot spot," is gaining favor for its "creative" steaks and "innovative sides."
Neighborhood Watch: While the South End has cooled off a bit, with only a single high-profile entry among the newcomers -- Spanish tapas specialist Estragon -- there's been a lot of action in the Downtown Crossing/Financial District areas. Most of the freshmen -- Bina Osteria, Bond, The Littlest Bar, Marliave and Max & Dylans Kitchen & Bar -- offer plenty of sensibly priced options, a boon to the vicinity's belt-tightening professionals.
Highs & Lows: The average price of a meal in Boston is $33.64 -- a 4.6% annualized increase from our last survey and a higher rate of inflation than in other major cities such as Chicago (2.1%), Los Angeles (3.3%) and New York (3.3%). So it comes as no surprise that 63% of respondents say they are spending more to dine out than they were two years ago. Still, Beantown's average cost per meal remains below the national mean of $34.15.
Weighing In: Bostonians are very aware of the nutritional and environmental impacts of the food they eat. When opening a menu, 69% of respondents say they consider it important to have low-carb, low-fat or heart-healthy options available when dining out. In fact, 74% support banning trans-fats from food preparation in restaurants. Eco-friendly fare is a draw since 78% of surveyors like their food to be locally grown or raised -- so much so that 64% of them will pay more for sustainably raised food; another 60% will pay more for food that is organic.
The Guide: As with all Zagat surveys, 2009/10 Boston Restaurants is made by consumers for consumers. In addition to Top Lists for Popularity, Food, Decor, Service and Best Buys, the guide lists the Key Newcomers in each city and maps the Most Popular restaurants. The 2009/10 Boston Restaurants guide ($15.95) was edited by Bill Corsello, Eric Grossman, Lynn Hazlewood, Naomi Kooker and coordinated by Maryanne Muller. The guide is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through ZAGAT.com or by calling 888-371-5440.
About Zagat Survey, LLC
Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for information about where to eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and as 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.
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About Spotlight on Boston Restaurants: Paul Pierce's Favorites for Healthy Dining
Spotlight on Boston Restaurants: Paul Pierce's Favorites for Healthy Dining features Pierce's favorite healthy dishes at Zagat's Most Popular restaurants in Boston. This nonprofit endeavor supports Pierce's Truth Foundation, created in 2002 with the mission of providing educational and life-enriching opportunities for underprivileged youths by offering resources and programs that foster safe and stable environments. In 2008, Paul premiered The Truth Fund's newest initiative, The Truth on Health, a program to help empower and encourage young people to lead healthier lives in an effort to prevent obesity and illnesses that often come as a result, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. For more information, please visit www.paulpierce.net. Partners include USI Insurance, Mass in Motion and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.