Zagat Paris 2012-2013

And the Winners are: Taillevent (Food, Service), Cristal Room (Decor) and Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Popularity) Tim and Nina Zagat, founders of the eponymous and much loved guide, were in Paris last week to present the results of the latest guide. All was revealed at a chic party at Le Bristol whose Epicure restaurant, with chef Eric Frechon at the helm, is highly rated by diners. The Zagats revealed that the 2012/13 Edition of Paris Restaurants covers 714 restaurants in the Paris area. Results are based on the shared input of 8,015 alert diners and curated by Zagat’s editors. According to the survey, Parisians eat out 3 times per week, which is more than diners in London (2.4), but trailing those in Tokyo (4.0). When asked about their dining out habits, 21% of surveyors report dining out less than last year, vs. 17% who say more. As for the cost of dining, Paris continues to be among the world’s most expensive cities with the average meal costing 61.64€, more than London at 51.89€ and nearly double New York City at 32.76€. This year, 27% of surveyors admit to having a restaurant-related application on their smartphone, but 52% consider it “rude and inappropriate” for diners to talk, text, email or tweet from the table. In contrast, 83% say it is acceptable for diners to take photos of their food and/or dining companions. New arrivals, generating a buzz, begin with this year’s Top Newcomer, Septime, an affordable bistro in the 11th. Crowds are also flocking to Saint-Germain’s Agapé Substance to sample New French tapas, the luxury Cantonese Shang Palace: the left-bank L’Affable and hip bistro Chatomat. Romain Tischenko, winner of last years’ Top Chef, has opened Le Galopin, a bistro in the 2nd. Winners: This year’s top tickets include Chef Alain Solivérès’ “sublime” haute cuisine at Taillevent (winner for Food and Service), Atelier de Joël Robuchon, named Most Popular by surveyors, and the magnificent Cristal Room (decor winner). The full list of winners follow: Food Decor Service Popularity 1) Taillevent 1) Cristal Room 1) Taillevent 1) Atelier Joël Robuchon 2) Pierre Gagnaire 2) Cinq 2) Epicure (Le Bristol) 2) Taillevent 3) Guy Savoy 3) Grand Véfour 3) Meurice 3) Guy Savoy 4) Grand Véfour 4) Taillevent 4) Cinq 4) Jules Verne 5) Cinq 5) Meurice 5) Ambassadeurs 5) Alain Ducasse   Newcomer Best Buy Bistro (Traditional) Brasserie 1) Septime 1) As du Fallafel 1) Quincy 1) Comptoir/Relais 2) Agape Substance 2) Higuma 2) Chez L’Ami Jean 2) Relais Plaza 3) Auberge du 15 3) Chartier 3) Violon d’Ingres 3) Dressirier 4) Abeille 4) Al Taglio 4) Petit Pontoise 4) Chez Les Anges 5) Akrame 5) Baron Rouge 5) Régalade 5) Pétrus   Across the city, wine bars are popping up, with standouts including Au Passage and Le Dauphin in the 11th arrondissement as well as Albion and Vivant, creating a destination winescape in the 10th. Over in the 5th, Dans le Landes presents a ham-heavy menu of Southwestern tapas to accompany its wine bar and bistro atmosphere. When asked about what irritates most when dining out, an overwhelming 76% cited service, with noise a distant second at 17%. Diners split over celebrity chefs, with 48% saying they are more likely to dine at a restaurant of a celebrity chef, while 49% say it has no effect. The 2012/13 Paris Restaurants Survey (11.90€) was edited by Josh Rogers and Alexander Lobrano, with local coordination from Mary Dechamps. Available in English and French and distributed through Eyrolles locations in Paris and online at zagat.com. For news and updates, follow @Zagat on Twitter and add Zagat to your circles on Google+. About Zagat Survey, LLC: Known as the “burgundy bible,” Zagat Survey is the world’s most trusted source for consumer-generated survey information. With a worldwide network of surveyors, Zagat rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories and is lauded as the “most up-to-date,” “comprehensive” and “reliable” guide, published on all platforms. Zagat content is available to consumers wherever and whenever they need it: on zagat.com, on Zagat’s mobile applications and in book form. In September of 2011, Zagat was acquired by Google Inc.     Subscribe for FREE weekly newsletters. BonjourParis has been a leading France travel and French lifestyle site since 1995.     Readers’ Favorites: Top 100 Books, imports & more at our Amazon store We update our daily selections, including the newest available with an Amazon.com pre-release discount of 30% or more. Find them by starting here at the back of the Travel section, then work backwards page by page in sections that interest you. Current favorites, including bestselling Roger&Gallet unisex fragrance Extra Vieielle Jean-Marie Farina….please click on an image for details.               Click on this banner to link to Amazon.com & your purchases support our site….merci! <br>