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City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
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City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
City & State or ZIP
Food and More with John Kessler

New Zagat Survey of Atlanta Restaurants released

1:27 pm May 2, 2012, by John Kessler

IMG_5238The Zagat Survey has released the biannual update of its  little red book of Atlanta restaurants. As it has in every edition since 1996, Bacchanalia once again receives the top ranking for food. On the guide’s 30-point scale, Bacchanalia scored a 29. It was followed by Antico Pizza Napoletana, Aria, Bone’s Restaurant and Valenza with scores of 28. Rounding out the top 10 are Chops, La Pietra Cucina, Star Provisions, Restaurant Eugene and Sotto Sotto.

The print guide is much smaller than those in years past; it seems more breast pocket and less glove compartment. It retails for $6.95.

Atlantans eat 48% of their meals out (compared to 49% in 2010). Of the respondents, 59% think the dining scene is the same as it was a year ago, 37% find it improved and 4% find it worsened.

Respondents overwhelmingly found the greatest irritant of dining out to be poor service.

Here are some other rankings:

Top 10 most popular restaurants (i.e., most often mentioned):

  1. Bacchanalia
  2. Bone’s Restaurant
  3. Antico Pizza Napoletana
  4. Canoe
  5. Atlanta Fish Market
  6. Chops
  7. Cheesecake Factory
  8. 4th & Swift
  9. Aria
  10. Rathbun’s

Top 5 Best Newcomers:

  1. Local Three
  2. Heirloom Market BBQ
  3. Chicken & The Egg
  4. No. 246
  5. Cibo e Beve

Top 5 for Decor:

  1. Nan Thai Fine Dining
  2. Canoe
  3. Aria
  4. Davio’s
  5. Kevin Rathbun Steak

Top 5 for Service:

  1. Bone’s Restaurant
  2. Bacchanalia
  3. Chops
  4. Restaurant Eugene
  5. Canoe

The rankings for these and more than 450 other restaurants were submitted by nearly 3,000 Atlanta-area restaurant goers.

What do you think of these lists?  Are they mostly on target?

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57 comments Add your comment

Frank

May 3rd, 2012
4:47 am

Atlanta Fish Market??? Is that place still open? After a 2 hour wait for a (7pm reserved table) my pregnant wife and I sat down for her Birthday dinner. We were rewarded with poor service, a snotty waiter and below average overpriced food. Hard to believe this is the best Atlanta can come up with sea food wise… Sad! Would recomend a trip to Captain D’s before this waste of space.

Empire Hate South

May 3rd, 2012
7:33 am

Most restaurants in Atl are way overpriced I agree. I mean really! I still always go back to my favorite in Midtown – South City Kitchen. Something to be said about American cuisine with a hint of the South that is priced reasonably and is very delicious.

I thought it was interesting how much positive press Empire State got. basically, just because of the chef. Apps were nothing to write home about, food was okay (small portion – big price), service was terrible. One and done with that place. Has it closed yet?

Empire Hate South

May 3rd, 2012
7:35 am

Frank, head up North just a bit to papa deaux’s. Not sure if I spelled it correctly. Somewhat of a chain but very good seafood with a kick.

missed

May 3rd, 2012
1:48 pm

There were a lot of fantastic restaurants that should’ve been listed WAY over cheesecake factory: Empire State South, Cakes and Ale, Fig Jam, Miller Union, Parish, Urban Pl8, Fritti, Local Republic… zagat is off on these…

missed

May 3rd, 2012
2:24 pm

and empire state is a fantastic restaurant… you really missed out. I eat there all the time, they have great specials and deals – including the brunch, and I’ve never had bad service.

Tech Guy

May 3rd, 2012
2:59 pm

What about the Varsity or Bulldogs?

Edward

May 4th, 2012
12:06 pm

It is amazing how completely clueless some people are, still complaining about Cheesecake Factory when it was clearly noted, and repeatedly pointed out by other comments, that it is only on the list of “MOST OFTEN MENTIONED”. It is NOT on the “BEST OF” list. I guess “missed” is missing a lot more than he/she/it realizes.

BTW, Empire State South truly is one of the best in the city, if not the South. The food and service is always impeccable when I’ve been. Perhaps someone saying otherwise brings their misfortune upon themselves (you’re just a lousy customer).

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