Entertainment

The newly released 2009 Zagat "America's Top Restaurants" survey reveals some tasty morsels about Americans' — and Ohioans' — dining habits, from our favorite ethnic cuisines to our tipping practices to the importance we place on locally grown foods.

Oh, and the Zagat survey rates restaurants, too — in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, anyway. Dayton and Toledo are still chopped liver — or at least, not considered "major markets" by Zagat standards.

The survey firm did gather data from 145,000 diners nationwide and offers a glimpse into what is going on in the minds and on the palates of America's diners.

For starters, we're warming up to the locavore trend. "Across the country, more and more chefs are using fresh, seasonal and sustainable ingredients," Zagat said in a news release. "This trend spans high-end restaurants to casual local eateries. It's a smart move, since 69 percent of our surveyors ... say that locally grown fare is important to them, and 59 percent say they'd actually pay more for sustainably produced food."

In Ohio, 64 percent of Zagat's surveyors said locally grown or raised food was either very or somewhat important to them, and 56 percent said they'd be willing to pay more for food that is sustainably raised. Zagat's Ohio figures are based on the survey responses in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Brian Raison, community development director for Ohio State University Extension's Montgomery County office, said the "Miami Valley Grown" eat-local effort that he has spearheaded is working to produce window stickers that would allow restaurants to advertise that they serve locally grown foods. Group members are trying to determine what percentage of a restaurant's dishes must be local in order to qualify for a sticker.

Raison said he believes restaurants and caterers can charge a small price premium when they offer local foods, which he said "are harvested later, near peak ripeness, and thus contain the highest nutrient values. And when you buy local, the money stays in the local economy."

Of course, your tips also stay in the local economy, even when the service doesn't measure up. Zagat reported that, "When asked what irritates them the most when dining out, a staggering 68 percent of surveyors (nationwide) said service. Noise/crowds (13 percent), prices (6 percent) and food (6 percent) complaints follow. Despite poor service, diners in recent years have become increasingly generous. The nationwide average tip is now 19 percent, having inched up from approximately 17 percent 10 years ago."

In fact, Ohioans surveyed by Zagat were more generous tippers than the national average, adding a 19.4 percent average gratuity to their restaurant bills. Of 29 regions or markets, Ohioans' average tip ranked fourth behind only Charlotte, N.C., Denver and top-ranked Philadelphia — and that was before the Phillies' World Series win.

Ohioans' preference for favorite cuisine largely mirrored the country's. More than one in four Ohioans surveyed — 27 percent — identified Italian cuisine as their favorite, followed by "American" cuisine (20 percent) and French (10 percent). Japanese and Mexican cuisines were tied at 9 percent, followed by Thai (8 percent), Chinese (6 percent) and Indian (6 percent). About 5 percent preferred "other" cuisines.

As for restaurant rankings and descriptions, Zagat's guide reviews more than 1,500 eateries across the country, including Ohio's "three C's." The closest restaurant to Dayton to make the guide's Cincinnati-area list is Mesh in West Chester, which earned an impressive 25 (out of 30) score for its food. And Mesh's "decor" score of 26 was second only to Jean-Robert at Pigall's among Cincy-area restaurants.

Zagat released "Top 5" lists for each market surveyed in two categories: "Best food" and "Most popular," based on the rankings and preferences of the diners polled for the Zagat report.

The 2009 America's Top Restaurants guide ($15.95) is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through Zagat.com or by calling (888) 371-5440.

LESS THAN 60 MINUTES AWAY: The closest restaurant to Dayton to make the 2009 Zagat guide is West Chester's Mesh. The restaurant's focal point is a glass-enclosed wall of wine measuring 12 feet high and 26 feet long. The restaurant features seating for 200 that includes three private dining areas, an outdoor patio and an upscale lounge. The "décor" score for Mesh was second only to Jean-Robert at Pigall's among Cincinnati-area restaurants.

Cincinnati’s top five restaurants based on their quality-of-food rankings:

1. Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, 127 W. Fourth St. downtown, (513) 721-1345, www.jean-robertatpigalls.com

2. Daveed’s at 934, 934 Hatch St. in Mt. Adams, (513) 721-2665, www.daveeds.net

3. Boca, 3200 Madison Road in Oakley, (513) 542-2022, www.boca-restaurant.com

4. Nicola’s, 1420 Sycamore St. downtown, (513) 721-6200, www.nicolasrestaurant.com

5. Bonberie, 2030 Madison Road, (513) 0321-3399, www.thebonbon.com

Cincinnati’s top five restaurants based on surveyors’ popularity rankings:

1. Jean-Robert at Pigall’s, 127 W. Fourth St. downtown, (513) 721-1345, www.jean-robertatpigalls.com

2. Montgomery Inn, three locations including 9440 Montgomery Road in Montgomery, (513) 791-3482, www.montgomeryinn.com.

3. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, 700 Walnut St. downtown, (513) 784-1200, www.jeffruby.com

4. JeanRo, 413 Vine St. downtown, (513) 621-1465, www.bistrojeanro.com

5. Nicola’s, 1420 Sycamore St. downtown, (513) 721-6200, www.nicolasrestaurant.com

Columbus’ top five restaurants based on food rankings:

1. L’Antibes, 772 N. High St. in the Short North, (614) 291-1666, www.lantibes.com

2. The Refectory, 1092 Bethel Road, (614) 451-9774, www.refectory.com

3. Starliner Diner, 5240 Cemetery Road, Hilliars, (614) 529-1198, www.starlinerdiner.com

4. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, 569 N. High St., (614) 224-2204, www.hydeparkrestaurants.com

5. G. Michael’s Bistro, 595 S. Third St. in German Village, (614) 464-0575, www.gmichaelsbistro.com

Columbus’ top five restaurants based on surveyerors’ popularity rankings:

1. Lindey’s, 169 E. Beck St. in German Village, (614) 228-4343, www.lindeys.com

2. Mitchell’s Steakhouse, two locations including 45 N. Third St. downtown, (614) 621-2333, www.mitchellssteakhouse.com

3. The Refectory, 1092 Bethel Road, (614) 451-9774, www.refectory.com

4. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, 569 N. High St., (614) 224-2204, www.hydeparkrestaurants.com

5. Rigsby’s Kitchen, 698 N. High St., (614) 461-7888, www.rigsbyskitchen.com

Cleveland’s top five based on food rankings:

1. Chez Francois, 555 Main St. in Vermillion, (440) 967-0630, www.chezfrancois.com

2. Downtown 140, 140 N. Main St. in Hudson, (330) 656-1294, www.downtown140.com

3. Three Birds, 18515 Detroit Road. in Lakewood, (216) 221-3500, www.3birdsrestaurant.com

4. Johnny’s Bar, 3164 Fulton Road in Cleveland’s West Boulevard neighborhood, (216) 281-0055, www.johnnyscleveland.com

5. Lola, 2058 E. Fourth St. downtown, (216) 621-5652, www.lolabistro.com

Cleveland’s top five restaurants based on surveyors’ popularity rankings:

1. Lola, 2058 E. Fourth St. downtown, (216) 621-5652, www.lolabistro.com

2. Blue Point Grille, 700 W. St. Clair Ave., (216) 875-7827, www.hrcleveland.com

3. Fire Food & Drink , 13220 Shaker Square, (216) 921-3473, www.firefoodanddrink.com

4. Parallax, 2179 W. 11th St. in Tremont, (216) 583-9999, www.parallaxtremont.com

5. Three Birds, 18515 Detroit Road in Lakewood, (216) 221-3500, www.3birdsrestaurant.com

Source: Zagat America’s Top Restaurants 2009

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2258 or mfisher@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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