ZAGAT LOS ANGELES/SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT SURVEY 1992...

ZAGAT LOS ANGELES/SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESTAURANT SURVEY 1992 edited by Merrill Shindler & Karen Berk, with Kitty Morgan & Leslie James (Zagat Survey: $9.95). The annual Zagat Survey is widely regarded as the most reliable guide to regional restaurants, probably because its ratings represent the consensus among more than 4,400 participating diners, rather than a single critic’s opinions. The reader invariably disagrees with a few of the rankings (the Broadway Deli only rates a 16 for food while the Daily Grill gets a 19 ?), but seeing some places get well-deserved slams (e.g. the writer who noted that the noise level in City Restaurant “makes you want to stuff food in your ears”) produces a malicious glow of satisfaction. Readers are more likely to be upset when they find favorite hangouts have received especially good reviews, because it means the crowds will be worse than ever. An excellent book to have on hand to solve that perennial, vexing question, “Where are we going to eat?”