Zagat NJ Restaurant Survey 2005/06

[glenn]

The 2005/06 issue of the Zagat Survey, New Jersey Restaurants, has just been released. As usual, the "Survey" is more notable for its inclusions and omissions and unbiased [ahem ahem] reviews. Regardless, I’d like to join Lou in expressing my warmest congratulations to Nicholas for being chosen as NJ’s best restaurant.

Just a few ramblings on my hometown and surrounding area...

Jersey City had a sparse listing. The complete JC listing… Baja, Beechwood Café, Casa Dante, Hard Grove, Komegashi, Liberty House, Light Horse, Madame Claude, Marco & Pepe, Nha Tranh, Oddfellows, Porto Leggero, Pronto Cena, Puccini’s, Ria’s Café and South City Grill.

Most of the restaurants in JC weren’t rated – there was simply a paragraph giving a brief description. Of those rated, top honors went to Casa Dante (25 out of 30 for food.) [did they simply copy 1928's review?] Nha Tranh (a surprising inclusion considering all the omissions) fared extremely well with a 21 and a wonderful review --- “…at this “gem” in Jersey City that’s the closest you may come to finding amazingly authentic Vietnamese.” [umpteenth note to self… check this place out!]

While I’m honestly and truly happy for the owners of Beechwood and wish them congratulations for getting listed, how in the heck did a one month old place get included while other notables such as Amiya , Amelia’s, 95 Greene, Café Spice, Edward’s, Traders, etc. were omitted? Ah, the wonders of Zagat.

Hoboken’s top-rated restaurants were Augustino’s & La Isla (27 each) and Anthony David’s (congrats Anthony!), Grimaldi Pizza [jeez, a pizza place?] and Amanda’s (26 each.) Notably absent from the ratings or simply a mere listing was The Jefferson, among the best Hoboken has to offer.

[menton1]

I would like to refer to Lou's (LReda) signature line about this-- "Zagat is french for s___". That about sums it up for me. And I'm also sorry, that for all the lengthy threads here, that we are giving Zagat MORE publicity and exposure here. As Eg-ers, what the heck do we care at all what Zagat says?

Edited May 12, 2005 by menton1 (log)

[bobferdon]

I just noticed that La Griglia in not in Zagat's either.... a great place!

If I was a Zagat editor I would not list anyone who's motto was Zagat is French for shit. It's their book. I guess they have an agenda as does the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate. We are supposed to know better but I would never expect to get anywhere with them by trashing them.

It's odd to trash them but then hope for their blessing?

[pete ganz]

I just noticed that La Griglia in not in Zagat's either.... a great place!

If I was a Zagat editor I would not list anyone who's motto was Zagat is French for shit. It's their book. I guess they have an agenda as does the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate. We are supposed to know better but I would never expect to get anywhere with them by trashing them.

It's odd to trash them but then hope for their blessing?

←

Hey Bob, did you ever consider the fact that there might be a bit more history to it than that?

[menton1]

I just noticed that La Griglia in not in Zagat's either.... a great place!

If I was a Zagat editor I would not list anyone who's motto was Zagat is French for shit. It's their book. I guess they have an agenda as does the Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate. We are supposed to know better but I would never expect to get anywhere with them by trashing them.

It's odd to trash them but then hope for their blessing?

←

Zagat, in theory, is supposed to be an impartial, objective reporting survey. If you trashed a newspaper, they would still be obliged to print favorable news about you if it was the truth and an accurate story. Zagat is not supposed to have vendettas!!

Please do a search for Zagat on Egullet, bob, and you will be more informed as to just how sleazy Zagat really is!!

[cibo susci]

Zagat is the biggest crap going on.

[Curlz]

It's really no different than what higher education deals with in terms of the US News & World Report rankings that come out every year; if you had a clue as to how USN&WR gets their numbers, you'd scream! But that's what prospective students look at when they start to consider universities--just as prospective diners look at Zagat. SIGH...

[cibo susci]

That makes me want to cry????

[bobferdon]

I just read about 40 threads after searching egullet for Zagat as requested. There are complaints in other markets about Zagat but 85% are from NJ and a small group of people.

So either the Zagat editors need to be changed or the small group of people need to give up. Who will win? I'm ready for beating now...

How do you think I feel when editors of a major publication go into restaurants and tell owners to remove my wines from the list or risk their ranking...

We need to better educate the end user so we can all sign our posts the way we want without worrying about retaliation.

[Rosie]

Congratulations to Lou for being listed in Zagat although they have no ratings for his excellent restaurant. Also, I wouldn't consider An American Grill expensive. Moderate but certainly not expensive.