Zagat 2010 Vancouver Guide in Time for the Olympics

    
    World-Renowned Restaurants Open to Serve Expected Wave of Visitors; Though
    Locals Feel the Economic Pinch, They Celebrate Better Dining Deals




    
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<p>NEW YORK, <chron>Dec. 16</chron> /CNW/ -- With the 2010 Winter Olympics approaching, Zagat today released its 2010 <location>Vancouver</location> Survey, covering 298 of the city's finest restaurants, nightspots, attractions and hotels. The Survey is based on the input of 2,721 local consumers, and spans venues across <location>Vancouver</location>, Whistler, Victoria and <location>Vancouver</location> Island. It shows that although locals are feeling the economic pinch, there is no shortage of good deals or new hot spots in <location>Vancouver</location>.</p>
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<p>"The commercial influx of tourism expected with the Games will no doubt stimulate the dining and entertainment industries throughout the region," said Zagat Survey CEO Tim Zagat. "We hope that our new guide will serve as a useful tool for both locals and visitors who want to experience all that <location>Vancouver</location> has to offer at this special time."</p>
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<p>Expanding Eats: In preparation for the throngs of athletes, spectators and media, <location>Vancouver</location> has expanded its ever-growing culinary scene. This year's top-rated newcomer, Maenam on the West Side, promises a mix of "authentic, flavourful" Thai plates and "elegant service." In addition, the city has welcomed a veritable "who's who" of restaurant industry leaders, including New York's Jean-Georges Vongerichten, with his Downtown Market by Jean-Georges and Daniel Boulud, who opened db Bistro Moderne and revitalized existing restaurant, Lumiere. Other exciting newcomers include affordable French Au Petit Chavignol, Downtown's Cibo, West End's Nook, and <person>Les Faux</person> Bourgeois on the East Side.</p>
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<p>Bargain Dining: Local diners feeling the economic pinch may be more attentive to prices (30%) and eating at less expensive places (24%), but there is no shortage of good deals in <location>Vancouver</location>. Leading the way is this year's Top Bang for the Buck, Nat's New York Pizzeria, a West End and West Side eatery that offers "superb" pizza at a modest price. The presence of prix fixe menus at Cru and Pied-a-Terre will continue to entice weary spenders, as will Dine Out <location>Vancouver</location>, which has been pushed back until after the Winter Games. The small-plates trend is reverting back to Spanish-style tapas, highlighted by newcomer Mis Trucos, newly opened (December '09) Cafe <location>Barcelona</location> and soon-to-open Judas Goat.</p>
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<p>West Side: The West Side is the focus for new restaurants, starting with the previously mentioned Maenam (Top Newcomer). Also on the West Side is the "local favourite" La Brasserie and Trattoria Italian Kitchen, a lower-priced sibling to Downtown's Italian Kitchen. These affordable newcomers, along with aforementioned prix fixe menus, explain why 40% of surveyors say they're finding better dining deals. Since the guide went to print, Fuel has closed and reopened as refuel, with a more moderately priced menu. Elsewhere in the city are Granville Street's The Edge and eco-friendly The Refinery, as well as Lebanese siblings Nuba Restaurant (Gastown) and Nuba Cafe (Downtown). The top ten Best Buys (in order of rating) include:</p>
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    1.  Nat's New York Pizzeria                     6.  Cafe Medina
    2.  Pajo's                                      7.  Saravanaa Bhavan
    3.  Go Fish!                                    8.  Nuba Restaurant/Cafe
    4.  Vera's Burger                               9.  Vij's Rangoli
    5.  Tomahawk Barbecue                           10. Gyoza King


    
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<p>Winners: This year's winner for Top Food is La Belle Auberge, located in Ladner and described as one of the "best-kept secrets" with "world-class" cuisine from chef <person>Bruno Marti</person>. Following behind are Vij's (winner for Most Popular in this Survey), Cioppino's, Le Crocodile and ToJo's. <person>Queen Elizabeth Park</person> serves as the backdrop for this year's Top Decor winner, Seasons in the Park, and Bishop's takes home the award for Top Service. The full list of restaurant winners is as follows:</p>
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                  Vancouver          Victoria/Vancouver Is.   Whistler
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    Top Food      La Belle Auberge   Panache                  Bear Foot Bistro
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    Top Decor     Seasons in the     Empress Room             Edgewater Lodge
                    Park
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    Top Service   Bishop's           Hastings House           Bear Foot Bistro
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    Most Popular  Vij's              Keg Steakhouse           Keg Steakhouse
                                       & Bar                    & Bar
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<p>Plan Ahead: As an expected 2.3 million attendees will descend on <location>Vancouver</location> by mid-February, locals and visitors should plan for changing traffic patterns, enhanced security zones and extra travel time when maneuvering the city. Keeping this in mind, anyone who wants to make reservations over the phone would be wise to call ahead.</p>
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<p>To Your Health: The healthy dining trend continues, with 72% of surveyors favouring low-carb, low-fat, heart healthy menu items and 81% favouring organic, locally grown foods. Even more impressive is the fact that 68% are willing to pay more for these "green" menu items. As for trans fats, an overwhelming 74% of surveyors feel they should be banned from restaurants. The locavore movement (born in British Columbia with the publication of 100-Mile Diet) continues to be trendsetting, with Raincity Grill offering a special tasting menu, as well as BC Wines, which promotes locally produced wines that are not only popular, but award-winning.</p>
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<p>Diners Speak Out: <location>Vancouver</location> diners eat out an average of 2.7 times per week, which is on par with <location>Toronto</location> and <location>Montreal</location> (2.7 and 2.8, respectively), but below the U.S. average of 3.2. When asked how their dining habits have been affected by the economic downturn, 32% say they are eating out less, while 19% are skipping appetizers/desserts and 17% are cutting back on alcohol. Service is still the weak link of the local dining scene, with 79% naming it their top dining irritant. On the upside, since the economic downturn, 33% of surveyors feel their patronage is more appreciated, 25% are eating healthier and 19% are able to score hard-to-get reservations.</p>
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<p>The Survey in Detail: Local Zagat content is available whenever and wherever diners need it, in a full range of formats: ZAGAT.com, the award-winning ZAGAT.mobi (for web-enabled mobile devices), ZAGAT TO GO for iPhone, Android and smartphones and Zagat's free augmented reality application nru, also for Android. These mobile applications offer signature ratings, reviews and cost estimates, as well as features ranging from click-to-call and online reservations capability to location-based widgets. The 2010 <location>Vancouver</location> guidebook (<money>$6.95</money> U.S.; <money>$7.95</money> Canadian) was edited by <person>Cynthia Kilian</person> and Tim and Heather Pawsey, and is available in all major bookstores or online at ZAGAT.com. For information about the Survey and to find additional statistics, please visit <a href="http://www.zagat.com/presscenter">http://www.zagat.com/presscenter</a>. And there's also Zagat via Facebook and Twitter @ZagatBuzz!</p>
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    About Zagat Survey, LLC
    
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<p>Known as the "burgundy bible," Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for information about where to eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and as such has become a symbol of quality. Zagat Survey rates and reviews airlines, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, resorts, shopping, spas and a range of other entertainment categories in more than 100 countries. It has been lauded as the "most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable guides ever published" and as "a necessity second only to a valid credit card." Zagat content is available in print, on the web, on the mobile web, iPhone, BlackBerry and on TV. For more information, visit ZAGAT.com.</p>
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