The 2009 Washington DC/Baltimore Zagat Guide was released today. A lot of the top ten names remain as the most recent previous years, with some newcomers.

They also published some interesting data about D.C. dining (national averages are in brackets). Out of 20 guide locations, D.C. diners eat out less than the national average at 2.9 times a week [3.3], but are more generous tippers, ranking fifth with 19.2 percent [19.0 percent]. Either D.C. diners are more critical of their food, or it’s not nearly as tasty as other cities, with an average food rating of 20.83 points [21.13], and having service problems ranking 18.91 points [19.22]. We’re paying 6 percent more for meals than in 2007, around $35.13 [33.86], with the average meal cost of the 20 most expensive restaurants increasing 2.6 percent to $83.63 [74.79]. The biggest problem for D.C. diners was service, garnering 75 percent of the votes, with Tom Sietsema’s favorite whipping boy, noise, trailing significantly at 8 percent.

Makoto received the most points for food, trading spots with the #2 restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington. Quick risers on the list were Komi, from #23 to #3, L’Auberge Provencale, from #29 to #4, and CityZen, from #15 to #5. Also interesting is some of the restaurant categorizations making Amsterdam Falafel the top Middle Eastern restaurant. Surprises in the “best in” category include Matchbox, with best hamburgers (though most of the ratings were likely prior to the big burger duke-out), and Pasta Plus for pizza. Let us know what you think of the latest results.

Top Ten Food
1. Makoto
2. Inn at Little Washington
3. Komi
4. L’Auberge Provencale
5. CityZen
6. Marcel’s
7. Citronelle
8. Restaurant Eve
9. Obelisk
10. L’Auberge Francois