Zagat 2011/12 NYC Food Lover's Guide Reports People Are Cooking at Home More

NEW YORK, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zagat released its 2011/12 New York City Food Lover's Guide today. The Survey covers 1,491 food purveyors, party suppliers and other gourmet shopping establishments in the City. Of the 6,355 New York foodies who participated in the Survey, two-fifths named overcrowding and waiting in line as their main complaint. The guide includes 380 party venues as well as 100 outstanding online sources to help users plan and shop at every price point.

Cooking at Home: This year, 46% of surveyors reported that they are cooking dinner at home more than before – only 2% said less. When it comes to entertaining guests, 42% responded that they entertain outside the home less than before, while only 2% say more.

A Bronx Tale: There is much to celebrate in the Bronx this year, as the top two Quality purveyors in the entire Survey call this borough home. In the top spot, hailed as the "definitive source" for "homemade mozz," is Casa Della Mozzarella, while the "shrine" of "sublime" pastas, Borgatti's Ravioli, comes in second. It is especially notable that these two are among 20 establishments that have earned a near-perfect 29 rating on Zagat's 30-point scale for their Quality. Other top-rated spots in the Bronx include Arthur Avenue's historic grocery Teitel Brothers, as well as Terranova Bakery and Addeo Bakery.

"New York City offers a wealth of options for anyone passionate about food, shopping and entertaining. This year we're excited to see so many outer-borough establishments scoring highly, with the top two for Quality being in the Bronx," said Nina Zagat, Co-Chair of Zagat Survey.

Walking Tours: The guide newly offers "Neighborhood Food Tours" highlighting an array of shopping resources, perfect for exploring the corners of the City. Whether touring Chinatown and Little Italy to stop at Ten Ren Tea and DiPalo Dairy, searching SoHo for specialty items at Kee's Chocolates and Jacques Torres or even exploring the Upper West Side's renowned and historic markets Barney Greengrass and Zabar's, these lists underline why New York is a food lover's paradise.

Newcomers: There are 70 major arrivals in this year's guide, ranging from the Italian food behemoth Eataly (voted NYC's No. 1 Major Market) to coffee shops, wine purveyors and mobile vendors. This year's top-rated newcomer is Dickson's Farmstand, featuring an "incredible display" of locally sourced meats in Chelsea Market. Other notable newcomers are the high-end Chocolate Library in the East Village, local meats from Williamsburg's Meat Hook and Wine at Whole Foods on the Upper West Side. The guide includes market vendors such as Keith's Farm and La Newyorkina and features for the first time, food trucks like Big Gay Ice Cream, Dessert Truck Works and Wafels & Dinges. The top newcomers are as follows:

1. Dickson's Farmstand (Meat/Poultry)
2. L.A. Burdick (Candy/Nuts)
3. Eataly (Major Market)
4. Dessert Truck Works (Baked Goods)
5. Brooklyn Wine (Wine/Liquor)
6. Brooklyn Farmacy (Ice Cream)
7. Baci Gelato (Ice Cream)
8. Screme (Ice Cream)

Waiting Woes: The top complaint according to 41% of surveyors is overcrowding and waiting in line, followed by prices (34%) and service (15%). To help ease waiting in line, the guide contains a new Online Resources Directory, covering 100 standout websites, many offering overnight delivery. The top web resources include Quality winner Cowgirl Creamery (cowgirlcreamery.com), Display winner Big Island Candies (bigislandcandies.com) and Service winner Maine Lobster Direct (mainelobsterdirect.com).

Party Time: For anyone entertaining at home, the guide features a wealth of caterers, food suppliers and party planners at various price points such as Union Square Events that offers moderate costs for great quality, Dahlia for flowers or the historic Williamsburg pastry shop Fortunato Bros. For those looking to entertain outside the home, there's an index of Party Sites that recommends hundreds of event venues.

Food on TV: When asked to name their favorite TV food personality or chef, Bobby Flay ranked No. 1 with Ina Garten and Rachael Ray following in that order. When asked about their favorite competitive cooking show on TV, surveyors named Top Chef the favorite, earning 22% of the vote.  

All About the Green: Even in a fluctuating economy, 76% of New York surveyors consider finding locally sourced, organic or sustainably raised food items to be important, and 64% are "willing to pay more" for these items. In a nod to environmental friendliness, 40% are bringing their own grocery bags to the store. To help "know before they go," the new guide includes a Green Glossary as well as a list of Greenmarket locations.

Category Winners: The top-rated shops (based on Quality Score) include the following:

• Bagels/Bialys: Absolute Bagels
• Bread: Terranova Bakery (Bronx)
• Cakes: Lady M Cake
• Candy: Teuscher Chocolates
• Caterers/Events: Great Performances
• Caviar/Smoked Fish: Russ & Daughters
• Cheese/Dairy: Casa Della Mozz. (Bronx)
• Coffee/Tea: McNulty's Tea
• Cookies: Levain Bakery
• Cookware/Supplies: Korin Japanese
• Cupcakes: Ladybird Bakery (Bklyn)
• Delis/Charcuterie: Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto
• Flowers: Gramercy Flowers
• Health/Natural: Whole Foods
• Herbs/Spices: Dean & Deluca
• Ice Cream: Il Laboratorio/Gelato
• Ices/Frozen Yogurt: NYC Icy (multi)
• Major Markets: Eataly
• Market Vendors/Trucks: Keith's Farm
• Meats/Poultry: Simchick, L.
• Nuts/Dried Fruits: Sahadi's (Bklyn)
• Pastries: Bouchon Bakery
• Pies/Tarts: Soutine
• Seafood: Pisacane
• Soups: Zabar's
• Wines/Liquor/Beer: Le Du's Wines

Survey Details: The 2011/12 New York City Food Lover's Guide ($14.95) was edited by Carol Diuguid and is available now in bookstores. For more information on Zagat, please visit http://www.ZAGAT.com. And don't forget to follow Zagat on Facebook and Twitter @Zagat for news and updates.

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, ZAGAT.mobi, ZAGAT TO GO for smartphones and in book form.

SOURCE Zagat Survey