Zagat released 2012 America’s Top Restaurants guide. The book features reviews and ratings of 1,578 of the best eateries in 45 markets across the U.S.
The guide also offers some eye-opening statistics: the national average of meals eaten out per week is 3.1, which is steady from last year but down from 3.3 before the recession hit. Meanwhile, the average price per meal around the country has gone up slightly – from $35.37 last year to $35.65 this year, representing the lowest annual inflation in five years.
While no one is excited about paying more, diners have shown enthusiasm about the new letter grades being issued by health departments in some cities, which restaurants have to post for customers to see. Since a majority of surveyors in those towns reports that the grades influence their dining choices, don’t be surprised if you see A’s, B’s and C’s popping up in a restaurant window near you – 81% of diners nationwide favor the system.
The America’s most expensive restaurant is Masa (New York City), where a meal there costs $585 per person. Prices include meal, one drink and tip.
Here are The 20 Most Expensive Restaurants In The U.S.
#1 A meal at Masa in New York City costs $585 per person
#2 A meal at Urasawa in Beverly Hills costs $488 per person
#3 A meal at Per Se in New York City costs $325 per person
#4 A meal at French Laundry in Yountville, Calif. costs $297 per person
#5 A meal at the Brooklyn Fair Kitchen in Brooklyn costs $241 per person
#6 A meal at Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas costs $230 per person
#7 A meal at Herbfarm in Seattle costs $215 per person
#8 A meal at Alinea in Chicago costs $199 per person
#9 A meal at Guy Savoy in Las Vegas costs $190 per meal
#10 A meal at The Kitchen in Sacramento costs $163 per person
#11 A meal at Meadowood, The Restaurant in Napa Valley costs $163 per person
#12 A meal at Momofuku Ko in New York City costs $163 per person
#13 A meal at Victoria & Albert’s in Orlando costs $163 per person
#14 A meal at Saam at The Bazaar by José Andrés in Los Angeles costs $156 per person
#15 A meal at Manresa in Los Gatos, Calif. costs $150 per person
#16 A meal at Mélisse in Santa Monica, Calif. costs $150 per person
#17 A meal at Le Bernardin in New York City costs $146 per person
#18 A meal at Menton in Boston costs $145 per person
#19 A meal at the Inn at Little Washington in Washington, D.C. costs $145 per person
#20 A meal at Benu in San Francisco costs $143 per person.
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