People eating out more often, Zagat Survey finds
People in and around Chicago are eating out more frequently for the first time since 2008, according to the 2012/13 Zagat Survey restaurant guide.
The popular guide, which released its biennial updated Chicago and suburban edition this week, reports that average meals eaten out per week ticked up slightly to three per week from 2.8 in 2010. Tipping also increased, with Chicago-area diners leaving an average of 19.4 percent, up from 19.2 percent in 2010. Editors compiled statistics and comments from more than 6,200 diners who ate 967,000 meals.
So what do Zagat diners consdier the best restaurants in the Chicago area? Here are the top five in each category in descending order (restaurants are in Chicago, unless otherwise noted):
Top food: Alinea, Katsu, Next, Riccardo Trattoria and Les Nomades
Top decor: Shanghai Terrace, Alinea, Sixteen, Courtright's in Willow Springs and L2O
Top service: Next, Alinea, Vie in Western Springs, Les Nomades and Tru
Best buys: Gene & Jude's in River Grove, Ba Le Sandwich, Dimo's Pizza, Fontano's Subs and Chicago Bagel Authority
Most popular: Alinea, Frontera Grill, Girl & The Goat, Gibsons and Charlie Trotter's
Top newcomers: NoMI Kitchen, Perennial Virant, Roka Akor, Telegraph Wine Bar, Bistro Voltaire