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Generous Ohioans choose their favorite restaurants, cuisine
Sure, the 2009 Zagat “America’s Top Restaurants” Survey rates restaurants, but it contains many more fascinating nuggets about America’s dining habits, right down to the tipping habits of Ohio diners.
Here are some of the survey’s highlights:
— When asked what effect the weakening economy had on their dining habits, 33% said they are eating out less and being more sensitive to menu prices; 28% said they are eating in less expensive places, and roughly 20% said they are cutting back on alcohol, appetizers and desserts. Only 34% of surveyors report being unaffected by the economic downturn.
— Going Green and Health Conscious: Across the country, more and more chefs are using fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. This trend spans high-end restaurants to casual local eateries. It’s a smart move, since 69% of our surveyors - especially those on the West Coast - say that locally grown fare is important to them, and 59% say they’d actually pay more for sustainably produced food.
In Ohio, by the way, 64 percent of Zagat’s surveyors said locally grown or raised food was either very or somewhat important to them, and 56 percent said they’d be willing to pay more for food that is sustainably raised. Zagat’s Ohio figures reflect a combination of Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
— If restaurants want a remedy for the slowing economy, they should teach their staffs to be nicer. When asked what irritates them the most when dining out, a staggering 68% of surveyors said service. Noise/crowds (13%), prices (6%) and food (6%) complaints follow. Despite poor service, diners in recent years have become increasingly generous. The nationwide average tip is now 19%, having inched up from approximately 17% ten years ago.
In fact, Ohioans surveyed by Zagat were more generous tippers than the national average, adding a 19.4 percent average gratuity to their restaurant bills. Of the 29 markets surveyed and reported, Ohioans’ average tip ranked fourth behind only Charlotte, Denver and Philadelphia.
More than one in four Ohioans surveyed — 27 percent — identified Italian cuisine as their favorite, followed by “American” cuisine (20 percent), and French (10 percent). Japanese and Mexican cuisines were tied at 9 percent, followed by Thai (8 percent), Chinese (6 percent) and Indian (6 percent). About 5 percent preferred “other” cuisines.
As for restaurant rankings and descriptions, Zagat’s guide reviews more than 1,500 eateries in 45 “major markets,” but the Zagat folks still apparently consider Dayton and Toledo proverbial chopped liver — or minor markets, anyway.
The closest restaurant to Dayton to make the guide’s Cincinnati-area list is Mesh in West Chester, which earned an impressive 25 (out of 30) score for its food. Mesh’s “decor” score of 26 was second only to Jean-Robert at Pigall’s among Cincy-area restaurants.
Cincinnati’s top five restaurants based on their quality-of-food rankings were: Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, Daveed’s at 934, Boca, Nicola’s and Bonberie.
Columbus’ top five restaurants based on their food rankings were: L’Antibes, The Refectory, Starliner Diner, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse and G. Michael’s Bistro.
And on Ohio’s North Coast of Cleveland, Chez Francois came out on top of the food rankings, followed by Downtown 140, Three Birds, Johnny’s Bar and Lola.
The 2009 America’s Top Restaurants guide ($15.95) was edited by Bill Corsello and Shelley Gallagher and is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through Zagat.com or by calling 888-371-5440.
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By Really?
October 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Where are Olive Garden, Applebee’s and Bob Evans? Those are really the favorite restaurants of Ohioans. check out those parking lots. Where’s the fried cheese? The half-priced happy hours? Sauces that come out of a bag and frozen? 2800-calorie loaded nachos? Those are the signs of a true restaurant.