The New York City restaurant industry has remained surprisingly strong, while the price of an average meal has dropped slightly in the 12 months following the Sept. 11 attacks, according to the 2003 Zagat Survey, which goes on sale this week.
The new survey rates 1,924 restaurants by 26,000 respondents, who had collectively eaten a total of 4.7 million meals in New York restaurants over the past 12 months. Of the thousands of people surveyed – the first time it’s been conducted entirely online in 24 years – many noted a kinder, gentler restaurant scene, with improvements in service, prices and lower noise levels.
The annual dining survey also shows New Yorkers to be more patient than in years past. While Gothamites often gripe when not being seated immediately, they’re not as quick to give up and leave if made to wait. The average diner surveyed will linger almost 18 minutes for a table even if they have a reservation, and up to 33 minutes if they’re walk-ins.
The top restaurants ranked by food are No. 1, Daniel; No. 2, Sushi Yasuda; No. 3, Jean Georges; No. 4, Le Bernardin; and No. 5, Chanterelle. At the top of the popularity poll – a list based on number of responses – is restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Gramercy Tavern, replacing Union Square Cafe, another Meyer restaurant, after six years at the No. 1 spot.
Since last year, 186 new restaurants have opened – down from the record 311 openings two years ago – while the number of closings rose to 105 eateries.
The most notable closing was the late Warner LeRoy’s over-the-top Russian Tea Room, reopened two years ago after a five-year, $22 million face lift.
BEST FOOD
1) Daniel
2) Sushi Yasuda
3) Jean Georges
4) Le Bernardin
5) Chanterelle
6) Nobu
7) Gramercy Tavern
8) Nobu Next Door
9) Peter Luger
10) Gotham Bar & Grill
BEST SERVICE
1) Daniel
2) Alain Ducasse
3) Gramercy Tarvern
4) Chanterelle
5) Le Bernardin
MOST POPULAR
1) Gramercy Tavern
2) Union Square Cafe
3) Gotham Bar & Grill
4) Daniel
5) Nobu
6) Peter Luger
7) Jean Georges
8) Le Bernardin
9) Blue Water Grill
10) Babbo
BEST DECOR
1) Rainbow Room
2) Danube
3) Daniel
4) One if by Land, Two if By Sea
5) Lespinasse
BEST NEW RESTAURANTS
1) Compass
2) Fiamma Osteria
3) Harrison
4) Nam
5) Bistro St. Marks
6) Marseille
BEST BANGS FOR THE BUCK
1) Bereket
2) Big Wong
3) Pump
4) Mama’s Food Shop
5) X.O.
6) Joya
7) Vietnam
8) Rice
9) SEA
10) Sweet-n-Tart