Oh Tim and Nina, how sweet it is (to be loved by you) [Photo: yamada3]
For the sixth consecutive year, Gary Danko topped the Zagat Survey as the best restaurant in San Francisco. Fisherman's Wharf finest was also scored the highest on the popularity scale in the annual survey that, despite a few welcome surprises, pretty much enforced the status-quo in a relatively ho-hum restaurant year.
Other results from the 2008 edition:
1) Following Danko, the rest of the top seven restaurants remain unchanged from last year: Boulevard, Slanted Door, French Laundry, Michael Mina, Aqua and Delfina.
2) In a bit of a surprise, Perbacco nabbed the best newcomer award, firmly cementing its place among the city's elite Italian restaurants.
3) Rounding out the best of the newbies: Farm (Napa) and Hime.
So much more after the jump, including average meal costs and the best take-out joints.
4) Only New York, Palm Beach and Vegas have more expensive average meals than San Francisco ($37.08). Meanwhile, the average pricetag at the Bay Area's 20 most expensive restaurants ($103.25) is second only to New York.
5) Service is still a point of contention in Bay Area restaurants, but "culinary creativity" got high marks.
6) The best "fast" food/take-out destinations: Underdog, Gialina, Burger Bar, Taylor's Automatic Refresher.
7) Favorite cuisines: Italian 22%, French 15%, Japanese 14%, American 13%, Thai 9%, Chinese 8% and Mexican 7%. Sorry, Indian and Nuevo Latino.
8) Carmel's Pacific Edge scored the highest for decor.
9) Top service honors went to Erna's Elderberry House in Oakhurst; is Oakhurst really part of the Bay Area though?
· Zagat announces top S.F. food [Examiner]
· San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants 2008 [Zagat]
· Food Awards, Part I: The Bon Appetit Awards [~ESF~]
