Zagat surveys Chicago, through Feb. 3

Whatever you may think of Zagat as a guidebook, it is at least a handy compendium of restaurant names and addresses that fits in the glove compartment. Participating in the survey means you get the book for free.

It also may be a chance to give endangered or favorite eateries a little stroking -- don't overlook the option for write-in votes.

They are also doing a Chicago shopping survey, which seems to be mostly hoity-toity boutiques. No food stores.

http://www.zagat.com

Deadline is Feb. 3; you can do the survey a bit at a time up till then.