The industry figures are in according to Zagat. The new Zagat Orange County Dining Guide is now on the bookstore shelves, as are guides covering other major cities. This is, in fact, the first time that OC is not the tail of the L.A. Zagat Guide, and has a book all its own (well, to be truthful, Long Beach is now included in our guide). All Zagat books are compiled yearly completely from scores given to restaurants by customers in the areas of food, d & #233;cor, service and cost. The method does give rise to questions about people possibly commenting on restaurants that they’ve not even been to, but one cannot deny that the pocketsize books do carry weight. The guides were founded 22 years ago in New York, and now virtually every major metropolitan area has one.
Here’s what our 2002 guide tells us about dining habits and perceptions in OC. There are 528 establishments covered. More than 6,000 people submitted written surveys. The average cost of a meal here is a reasonable $26.34, while the national average is $27.38. The most expensive 20 restaurants in the county average $47.42 per tab, with national figures for that category at $51.86. Tip averages in OC are 17.4%; it’s 18% nationwide. We dine out 3.6 times per week. The majority of us prefer to dine about 7 p.m., few make reservations after 9 p.m. And, here’s an eye-opener: The single most irritating aspect of dining out in OC for 71% of those completing the written survey is poor service. Complaints about noise, food, parking and cost total only 26% of all gripes. I guess that means the restaurants need to lead off their staff meetings with some finger-shaking at servers for inattentive and sloppy service.
So now, you want to know which of our restaurants scored the highest? Pavilion in the Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach, tied for most points for food (on a 30-point scale) with Pinot Provence and Napa Rose (the new restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel). They each got 28 points. Five restaurants received 27 points for their food: The Ritz, Aubergine, Hobbit, Troquet and Gustaf Anders. Ten restaurants compiled 26 points for food: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Back Pocket, Ruth’s Chris, Abe, Pascal, Picayo, Plum’s, Golden Truffle, 230 Forest and Five Feet. At 25 points were Seafood Paradise (the king of dim sum restaurants) and Accents in the Sutton Place Hotel.
Do I agree with all this? Not at all. For instance, you cannot convince me that Napa Rose has better food (by a mere two points, but better nevertheless according to the guide) than Alan Greeley’s inspired and passionate dishes at his Golden Truffle. It just is not so. I have had some very good meals at Napa Rose, but the only OC meals I’d rank with those of a three-star Michelin chef have been eaten at Golden Truffle. I also feel strongly about Pascal, which also came in two points less on food overall than the top three. I have other differences of opinion as well, but you may agree fully with the findings in the guide.
For the $9.95 price tag, the book is very worthwhile in giving an overview of so many restaurants,certainly all the top spots are covered and lots of ethnic dining, as well. I use my guides throughout the year, because I am no different from any of you in making a quick pick when someone says, “Let’s go out and eat, choose a place.” I often come up empty-minded at the moment. Those are times when Zagat saves me.
Incidentally, the three top restaurants for Long Beach are Frenchy’s Bistro for food, The Madison for d & #233;cor and L’Opera for service
Dine Like the Dickens
It is not too early to make reservations for a special holiday treat at the Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. I am talking about their three Dickens Dinners, the first time they’ve been offered. The dates are Friday, Nov. 23, and Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 28 and 29. Reservations are a must for the charming, nostalgic evenings.
There is no restaurant in OC that lends itself better to the holiday season than Five Crowns. The old English feeling that it already exudes, the service and the style of food might have been plucked from jolly old England. Add the Christmas theme, and it’s a sure-fire winner.
In costume, the Cratchit Family and carolers will be there for the Dickens Dinners to celebrate a Victorian Christmas experience with the public. Each evening will feature a special three-course dinner comprised of the Cratchit holiday salad with cranberry vinaigrette, a choice of entrees (roast prime ribs of beef, roast goose or fresh salmon) and traditional English trifle for dessert with a choice of coffee or tea.
Throughout the evening there will be live theater and merriment,LA Troupe, a touring group of veteran actors, will perform excerpts from “A Christmas Carol.” Everyone is a part of the production, which will feature parlor games enjoyed in Tiny Tim’s time.
Strolling carolers will sing festive holiday songs, while Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past carry you back to London.
The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. each evening. Price is $79, tax and gratuity included. Due to limited seating, all seating will be family-style. Reservations must be paid in advance and can be made by calling (949) 760-0331.
