Zagat and Mobil 2006

You know, I don't think I've cracked a zagat book or read one of their reviews in a few years, and I thank chowhound and LTH for that.

But still, the 2006 survey came out today, so here's some info over at ChicagoBusiness.com.

A list of top restaurants in Chicago is looking a little less stuffy this year, with Wicker Park's Mirai Sushi outscoring legendary Charlie Trotter's to rank among the best food in the city.

Zagat Survey LLC today released its 2006 survey of the best restaurants in America, listing 1,352 restaurants in 41 cities. Forty Chicago eateries made the cut. According to Zagat, the top six Chicago-area establishments, scoring 28 out of 30 for food served, include:

* Tallgrass
* Carlos'
* Tru
* Ambria
* Mirai Sushi
* Seasons.

Edit: Oh, hey, Mobil today too:

Also today, Mobil Travel Guide released the names of its four and five star-rated restaurants. The only Chicago eatery to capture the five-star rating was Charlie Trotter's, but nine establishments won four stars. Those are Ambria, Avenues, Crofton on Wells, Everest, Les Nomades, The Dining Room, Seasons, Spring and Tru.

Wow. Both guides seem to have taken a big step toward irrelevance, at least as far as the top-end places go. IMO, both used to more accurately reflect current, informed opinon.

Interesting that the Trib and the Reader (and to a lesser extent the SunTimes and Chicago) have stepped up quickly to provide content competitive with TOC as regards non-4 star dining. I wonder if Zagat and Mobil have done likewise (I did notice a few unrated ethnic ringers last edition, added by the editors in Zagat, almost an admission of the product's basic flaw).

For high-end food criticism, we have Phil Vettel and, increasingly, the national and international press. While I have not always loved what the Trib's food section has to say, I think Vettel's opinions at this point are much more reliable regarding the top-tier expense account choices (that is, the kinds of restaurants about which an out-of-towner or special occasion local diner would look to Mobil and Zagat). I suppose I won't waste my money, again, on either book.

Edit: I was reminded after writing this that the Reader has been covering cheap and ethnic eats for a long time, so to say it has "reacted" to TOC is not correct. I do think that the writing at the Reader has stepped up considerably in the last few years, however. The new feature focus on food topics is great, and Mike Sula is one of the few journalists in town who is writing articles that are in the vein of Apple, Steingarten, and (a local fave of mine from Tampa/St. Pete), Chris Sherman.

Jeff, that was my feeling. That selection is just shockingly out of touch, I think.

Doesn't the fact that Zagat's (and Mobil?) is a survey mean that it's necessarily going to be a year or so behind? I would be surprised if places like Alinea or Avenues would have enough ratings yet to get on this list. (another reason this forum is so valuable...) Though, that list is perhaps more than a year behind the times, so maybe that blows my theory. Just a thought.

Zagat only does a full-fledged survey every two years, so this ranking in their national list is based on the survey they did before their 2005 Chicago guide.

Interesting that both guides list Ambria and Seasons, both of which are living off their reputations alone and have been for some time.

Zagat's great . . . for storing in the car using as an address and phone number reference.

As for actual information and opinion, I'd rather rely on a select group of the informed than a consensus of anonymous folks who aren't even required to prove they've eaten somewhere before they rate it.

I agree with Phil Vettel fairly frequently, so I do consider his opinion on a regular basis. On the same note, there are folks here and at the eGS whose impressions I seek out. Opinions from those sources are the most valuable of all, IMO -- and yes, almost always far more current as well.

=R=