Zagat Survey(R), the world's leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content, today released its 2005 San Francisco Restaurants Survey. This marks the 25th year that Zagat Survey has reported on the shared experiences of diners and the 19th year that the company has covered San Francisco.

This year's participants dined out an average of 3.2 times per week with the average price per meal falling slightly since last year from $34.07 to $33.75. Demonstrating signs of an economic recovery, one-third of Zagat diners report they are eating out more often than they did two years ago - and 55% are spending more money in restaurants, with surveyors reporting that 84% of their total meals out are for leisure vs. business.

"San Francisco's restaurant scene is experiencing a healthy resurgence, demonstrating more signs of life than in the past four years," said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey. "The recent improvements in the local economy have resulted in new, exotic, fancy restaurant openings, offering Bay Area diners more diversity than ever. This Guide helps diners choose a restaurant that best fits their needs. From a night out on the town to a casual Sunday brunch to the best place for small plates, our guides are designed to help consumers make smart dining choices."

The new guide covers 953 restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding areas including the Wine Country, Silicon Valley and the Monterey Peninsula. These restaurants were tested and tasted by more than 6,350 avid local restaurant-goers who used Zagat Survey's signature 30-point scale to rate Food, Decor and Service. The guide also reflects the estimated cost for a meal.

Key Zagat Survey Restaurant Findings and Trends:

In addition to rating and reviewing Bay Area restaurants, Zagat Survey measured consumer sentiment regarding service, the economy and wine consumption.


* Regime Change: Gary Danko became San Francisco's Most Popular restaurant
in the new survey -- ending Boulevard's seven-year hold on the title.
Meanwhile, Top Rated Food honorees, Fleur de Lys and Le Papillon,
experienced significant advancements, rising to #4 and #5 respectively,
up from #11 and #15 last year.

* We'll Never Quit Wine-ing: It's no surprise that Golden Gaters are fond
of the Grape given the proximity of the wine country. According to the
Survey, 44% of surveyors prefer wine by the bottle when dining out. Wine
by the glass is still a popular option (40%), while only 5% report
bringing their own bottle.

* Service is the Weak Link: A substantial 71% of San Francisco diners cite
service as the most irritating issue when it comes to dining out.
Collectively, noise, food, prices, parking, crowds and cell phones
account for the remaining 29% of complaints.

* Neighborhood Noshing: Not surprisingly, Downtown is surveyors' No. 1
neighborhood for eateries. This is followed by the Mission District and
North Beach.

* It's a Small World After All: The proliferation of small-plates
restaurants has San Franciscans wanting more. Small wonder when 80% of
surveyors approve of this trend, putting such small-plate practitioners
as A Cote, Isa and Tamarine on the Survey's Most Popular list for the
first time.

* Lights Out: No smoking in restaurants has become the norm and San
Franciscans (and the local economy) don't want that to ever change. In
fact, 73% of diners said they would eat out less if smoking were
permitted.

Meesha Halm, Bay Area restaurant critic and cookbook author and Troy Segal, Zagat Survey editor, edited the Zagat Survey 2005 San Francisco Restaurant Guide. The book was coordinated by Maura, Sell, a specialty food industry consultant. The book ($12.95) is available at bookstores and other retail outlets, through http://www.zagat.com/ or by calling toll free at 888- 371-5440.

The results of the new Zagat Survey will be discussed today at the MasterCard International and Zagat Survey 3rd Annual Restaurant Industry Forum. Tim and Nina Zagat along with MasterCard executives will join more than 100 San Francisco chefs and restaurateurs to discuss developments in the local dining landscape. The event, which begins at 8:30 am PT, will be held at The Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco.