This morning, Tim and Nina Zagat were in New Orleans to announce the results of their 20th poll of New Orleans restaurants and nightlife. At a breakfast press conference at Galatoire’s, Tim Zagat announced that 80 percent of New Orleans diners are eating out as often as they did before Katrina, if not more. He also announced that across the board, New Orleans’ restaurants scored higher than restaurants in other cities. “This is not only one of the best places to eat,” he said. “It’s also one of the best values,” pointing out an average pre-tax dinner price of $28.52 versus $34.34 in other cities.
His comments took on a political tone when he noted that if one-tenth of the money spent on the Citibank bailout were spent on New Orleans, the city’s recovery would be a lot farther along, and that the governmental neglect was shameful. “New Orleans and everyone deserves better than that.”
The winners?
Top Food: Brigtsen’s
Top Decor: Commander’s Palace
Top Service: Brigtsen’s
Most Popular: Commander’s Palace
and in the Nightlife category, Preservation Hall won for Top Appeal, the Polo Lounge won for Top Decor and Top Service, and Pat O’Brien’s won for Most Popular.
This year’s guide is out now, edited by Sharon Litwin, Mimi Read and former OffBeat food editor Todd A. Price.
