Union Square is #1 on Zagat

The new Zagat rankings for New York restaurants are out and the top restaurant is again Union Square Cafe, which had reigned as New Yorkers' favorite restaurant as tallied by Tim and Nina for 6 straight years (1997-2002) except last year, when sister restaurant Gramercy Tavern took over. The Le Coze fish shrine, Le Bernardin, is number one in food quality.

The Times takes a look at the surprising inclusion of Brooklyn's Grocery in the top ten for food quality with its 28 (out of 30) food rating. Co-owner Charles Kiely tells the Times, "I don't think we're doing earth-shattering food. We're just a really good neighborhood restaurant." That's it - you will never be able to get a table there again after this, especially as the Times shows how Grocery is the cheapest of the top ten for food restaurants.

Most popular restaurants

1. Union Square Cafe
16th St., between 5th Ave. and Union Sq.
2. Gramercy Tavern
20th St., between Bway and Park Ave.
3. Daniel
65th St., between Madison and Park Aves.
4. Gotham Bar & Grill
12th St., between 5th Ave. & University Pl.
5. Nobu
Hudson St. at Franklin St.
6. Blue Water Grill
Union Square West at 16th St.
7. Jean Georges
Trump Intl. Hotel, Central Park W. between 60th and 61st St.
8. Babbo
Waverly Pl., between MacDougal St. and 6th Ave.
9. Peter Luger
Broadway at Driggs Ave., Williamsburg
10. Le Bernardin
51st St., between 6th and 7th Aves.

Top food rankings

1. Le Bernardin
51st St., between 6th and 7th Aves.
2. Daniel
65th St., between Madison and Park Aves.
3. Peter Luger
Broadway at Driggs Ave., Williamsburg
4. Nobu
Hudson St. at Franklin St.
5. Bouley
W. Broadway at Duane St.
6. Jean Georges
Trump Intl. Hotel, Central Park W. between 60th and 61st St.
7. Grocery
Smith St., between Sackett and Union St., Carrol Gardens.
8. Gramercy Tavern
20th St., between Bway and Park Ave.
9. Gotham Bar & Grill
12th St., between 5th Ave. and University Pl.
10. Nobu, Next Door
Hudson St., between Franklin and N. Moore Sts.