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America’s Dining Trends Revealed
January 20, 2015
What trendy food has nearly half of avid American diners professing their love? According to the 2015 Zagat National Dining Trends survey, released today, it’s Brussels sprouts. The survey is based on the feedback of 10,727 avid diners nationally who shared their habits and preferences when it comes to dining out.
The survey shows that American diners eat out a lot - 4.5 meals (lunch and dinner) per week on average. The most frequent diners are in Atlanta (5.2) followed by Austin, LA and Miami (each at 4.9). Rounding out the bottom of the list is Portland, OR, Minneapolis (both 3.4) and Philadelphia (3.7).
The national average spend per person for dinner out is $39.40. Not surprisingly, New York is the most expensive dining city, followed by east coasters Boston ($42.24) and Miami ($41.35). The least expensive cities - and a relative bargain - are Austin ($25.81), Dallas/Ft. Worth ($30.34), San Diego ($34.10) and Portland, OR ($34.36), hailing from the South/West.
When it comes to gratuities, Americans leave an average 19.3% tip on their restaurant bill. Austin diners, who enjoy the lowest average meal cost, are the most generous tippers, leaving 20%. Following behind are Philadelphia (19.8%), Boston (19.6%), Chicago (19.6%) and Atlanta (19.5%). West coast diners happen to be less generous with Portland, OR (18.3%), Houston (18.4%), San Diego (18.5%), Seattle (18.6%) and San Francisco (18.7%) at the bottom of the list.
Service is the leading dining out irritant followed by Noise, Prices, Crowds, Food and Parking. Diners in Miami take the biggest issue with service (32%), while Portland, OR diners cite Noise (31%) as their chief complaint.
Additional findings: 16% of respondents admit to having stolen something (fork, salt shaker etc.) from a restaurant, with diners in Chicago and Houston (both 24%) reporting the highest instance of this. If a restaurant has a cash-only policy, respondents say they are less likely to go (45%) or avoid these places all together (15%). And what’s on the menu? Italian. It’s the favorite cuisine among diners in every city surveyed except for Austin and Minneapolis, where diners say they prefer American.
To learn more about this year’s results, see
here
.
Tim and Nina Zagat
Co-Chairs, Zagat
Zagat's 2015 Miami Restaurants Survey
January 13, 2015
Whether you’re a South Florida local or you’re dreaming about your next getaway to the Sunshine State, you’re in luck: today Zagat is out with the results of its 2015 Miami/So. Florida Restaurants survey.
Zagat covers over 600 of the area’s most exciting restaurants with ratings and reviews based on the combined opinions of 3,741 avid diners. Food, Decor and Service ratings are presented on a 30-point scale and surveyors’ “witty comments” are compiled into easy-to-digest reviews.
This year Miami’s big winners are
Zuma
(Top Food),
Juvia
(Top Decor),
Il Gabbiano
(Top Service) and
Joe’s Stone Crab
(Most Popular). In addition to these highly rated favorites, Miami welcomed hot newcomers including
Basil Park
,
Blackbrick
,
1826 Restaurant & Lounge
,
Finga Licking @ Royal Castle
,
Kush Wynwood
,
L'Echon Brasserie
,
La Mar by Gaston Acurio
,
Oolite Restaurant and Bar
,
Prime Fish
and
Shikany
.
According to the survey, Miami diners eat out a lot - 4.9 times per week (lunch and dinner) vs. 4.5 nationally. The average reported spend per person for dinner out is $41.35 which is slightly above the $39.40 national average. When it comes to gratuities, diners leave 19.3% which is on par with national figures.
Service is the No.1 dining out complaint according to 32% of respondents. Following behind are Noise (23%), Prices (14%), Crowds (12%), Food (7%), Parking (5%), and Traffic (4%). The leading complaints about service specifically are inattentive staff, slow service, inadequate training, and early plate clearing.
As with most U.S. cities, Miami diners say their favorite cuisine is Italian (27%), followed by American (14%), Seafood (12%), French (8%), Japanese (8%), Steakhouses (8%), Thai (6%) and Chinese (3%). All others total 14% cumulatively.
When it comes to restaurant reservations, 40% of respondents make them online. That’s below the 61% national average. Additionally, 29% feel it’s rude and inappropriate for children to use tablets/phones at the table.
Ratings and reviews for South Florida restaurants are available today at
zagat.com/miami
and across the Google products you use everyday including Search and Maps. Bon Appetit!
Posted by:
Tiffany Herklots, Zagat
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