Latest Zagat Survey Shows Connecticut Diners are Increasingly Price Sensitive

Thomas Henkelmann Takes Top Food, Decor and Service for Fifth Straight Year; David Burke Prime is Top Newcomer; Chain Restaurants More Popular than Ever

NEW YORK, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The troubled economy is changing the ways that Connecticut restaurant-goers dine out, according to Zagat's 2009/10 Connecticut Restaurants survey, released today in hardcopy and on ZAGAT.com. The survey finds that while nearly half of locals' meals are prepared outside of the home, 78% of diners are making cost-saving adjustments such as eating out less, being more attentive to prices, eating in less expensive places, skipping appetizers and desserts or going easy on their alcohol consumption.

"Connecticut diners, like people across the country, are looking for great meals that also are great deals," said Tim Zagat, CEO and co-founder of Zagat Survey. "Going out to restaurants is a part of our culture, so despite the economic downturn, diners will continue to eat out, but now they are on a hunt for the best for less."

Over 4,000 surveyors contributed their opinions to the new guide, which covers 894 eateries in Connecticut and nearby areas of New York State and the Berkshires. Restaurant ratings and reviews are available in print, on ZAGAT.com and via ZAGAT TO GO(TM) - Zagat's mobile application for iPhone, BlackBerry and PDAs.

Bargain Bin: In response to budget-conscious crowds, the Connecticut restaurant scene is bustling with prix fixe menus and other attractive values. Top restaurants like Jean-Louis are drawing diners with a $30 prix fixe lunch, and others as low as $15 can be found at Saint Tropez Bistro and Sole Ristorante. For diners looking to get the most for their money, the new Zagat guide includes an extensive list of "Best Bang for the Buck" restaurants that offer high value, with low prices and stellar food reviews. This year's top Bang for the Buck is Super Duper Weenie, a Fairfield hot dog joint that surveyors say is "best-in-show." Following close behind are the "retro diner" Shady Glen, and perennial "classic" Firehouse Deli, which also promise great fare at reasonable prices.

Chain Meal: The new hunt for value has boosted the popularity of chain restaurants. Cheesecake Factory burst onto Connecticut's Most Popular list for the first time, ranking high at No. 3. Full-service chains P.F. Chang's, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse also cracked the Top 10 Most Popular list for the first time, having previously been ranked Nos. 27 and 26 respectively.

Health Nut: Despite the affinity for chain restaurants, an overwhelming majority of Connecticut diners consider it important for menus to offer low-carb, low-fat and heart-healthy items (72%), and believe that trans- fats should be banned from food preparation in restaurants (70%). They are also willing to put money where their mouths are: Over half of surveyors would pay more for food that is organic (52%) or sustainably raised/procured (54%). Despite this dedication to healthy dining, a surprising 60% of surveyors are not fans of the recent laws to post calorie counts on menus.

Dollars and Cents: Connecticut diners have the most affordable dining in the region with an average meal cost of $37.71 - a 1.8% increase from last year. While this is above the national average of $34.49, it is well below the nearby Westchester/Hudson Valley region ($38.99), New York City ($40.78) and New Jersey ($39.24).

In Vino Veritas: Although 18% of surveyors are cutting back on alcohol to save money while dining out, a hearty 86% still wine while they dine. To lure oenophiles, BYO restaurants continue to pop up and some, like Rowayton's River Cat Grill, are waiving corkage fees. In a similar spirit, Doc's (which recently relocated to Kent) reduced corkage fees from $25 to $15, while Little Thai Kitchen and Thai Spice charge a nominal $4.95.

Winners: For the fifth straight year, Thomas Henkelmann swept the competition, winning for Top Food, Decor and Service. Since opening in 1997, the restaurant, headed by husband-wife team Thomas and Theresa Henkelmann, has repeatedly proven itself to local diners as "extraordinary" and "ethereal." The funky, New American Woodward House in Bethlehem made an impressive leap to No. 2 in the Top Service list, up from No. 24. And taking the prize for Most Popular this year is New Haven's Frank Pepe, whose celebrated pizzas has earned it "non-stop crowds" for generations. David Burke Prime, helmed by the eponymous chef and located at Foxwood's Resort, won the title of Top Newcomer.

The Guide in Detail: The 2009/10 Connecticut Restaurants guide ($14.95) was edited by John Deiner, with local editors Lorraine Gengo, John Bruno Turiano, Judith Hausman, Julia Sexton and Lynn Hazlewood. The guide includes Top Lists for Food, Decor, Service, Popularity and Best Buys, as well as indexes for categories such as "Noteworthy Newcomers," "Outdoor Dining," and "Winning Wine Lists." Content is also available online at ZAGAT.com and on mobile devices via ZAGAT.mobi.

About Zagat Survey, LLC

Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for information about where to eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and as such has become a symbol of quality. Zagat Survey rates and reviews airlines, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, resorts, shopping, spas and a range of other entertainment categories in more than 100 countries. It has been lauded as the "most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable guides ever published" and as "a necessity second only to a valid credit card." Zagat content is available in print, on the web, on the mobile web, iPhone, BlackBerry and on TV. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.

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