Legal stays no 1 in Zagat's Boston Survey

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Legal stays No. 1 in Zagat's Boston survey
April 27, 2005

Bostonians think poor service is the most irritating part of restaurant dining. They'd like more places that serve Mexican food. And they're paying more for eating out than before. All of this comes from the 'Zagat Survey 2005/06 Boston Restaurants." The annual guide was published today.

The survey was based on answers from 5,650 diners, of which 53 percent are female, 47 percent male. The top five most popular restaurants are, in order: Legal Sea Foods, Blue Ginger, No. 9 Park, L'Espalier, and Hamersley's Bistro. All except No. 9 Park were on last year's top 10 list. No. 9 Park moved up from 13th last year.

In the same popular category, Boston's ongoing love of steak may have catapulted Abe & Louie's from 22 last year to 10 this year.

In the food rankings, Oishii, L'Espalier, and Aujourd'hui each retained their places from last year's survey as first, second, and third respectively. No. 9 Park moved up from 13th last year to fourth this year. Hamersley's Bistro, seventh last year, was fifth this year.

Also notable on the top food list was the leap that the South End's Icarus made, from last year's 33d place to eighth this year.

In the category of top restaurants rated by cuisine, Tim's Bar & Grill in the South End was rated best pub food; Mr. and Mrs. Bartley's Burger Cottage best hamburgers; Peach Farm best Chinese; Il Capriccio best Northern Italian; Brown Sugar Cafe best Thai.

The Four Seasons's Aujourd'hui was rated best service; Anna's Taqueria best bang for the buck.

According to those surveyed, after Mexican food, Bostonians want French cuisine, then Japanese.