Anyone have an in at Alinea?

I agree, I believe the 'Zagat' top-rated restaurants pay to have their names brought to the top culinary experience. Just as Angie's list does with listed businesses, the more you pay the further you move up in the rankings!

 

And I hesitate to make it more difficult to get reservations at my favorite places (and I've dined at some of the best inthe country) but my current favs for GREAT and innovative food, warm digs and fabulous service have to come from places where the owner is also the WORKING chef. Try Mexique on Chicago ave and Maijean in one of the west burbs-can't remember which one.

On another note - do businesses pay to get on Diners, drive-ins, and dives?

Food and ferraris. Sums up my life. There is one more 'f' just can't think of it right now. Oh yea falconry

 

Drive a bit further down Chicago Ave and stop at A Tavola(http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-tavola-chicago), it's just east of Anne's bakery in a converted house.

it's an under the radar type place that makes a very nice meal here in Ukrainian village...

 

Ernest, have you been to the new steakhouse in downtown Sterling?

 

I don't follow Zagat but for those who do, 3 Chicago restaurants scored 29 out of 30 for the 2012 survey:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/chi-three-chicago-restaurants-score-29-out-of-30-ratings-in-zagat-2012-survey-20111025,0,7881927.story

 

I don't think so. I believe the DD&Ds are nominated by customers of the diners.

 

Zagat's is a fraud, ratings are meaningless!