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Dining out in London is like a breath of fresh air
By Katherine Barney, Evening Standard 12.09.07
Smoke-free: Researchers say air quality in restaurants has improved
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More than 90 per cent of London diners welcome the smoking ban, with a third saying they have started eating out more since its introduction.
In the first major survey since the new rules came into force on 1 July, 93 per cent of more than 5,000 diners questioned said they were in favour of the ban. The news comes in the same week that researchers in Scotland found that heart attack rates have dropped 17 per cent and air quality in restaurants and pubs has dramatically improved since smoking in public was banned there.
Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "Many restaurants turned non-smoking without legislationbut it has helped those who weren't quite sure what the impact would be to become fresher places and given them the extra push.
"The findings don't particularly surprise me. I think restaurateurs would prefer diners to enjoy the food rather than the smoke."
Today's survey, carried out by restaurant guide Zagat, also found that London diners are still concerned about poor service, with 53 per cent of respondents citing it as their main gripe about eating out.
The researchers found that London officially has the most expensive restaurants in the world. Over the past year the average price of a meal has risen to £39.
The key dining trends this year include a greater emphasis on organic food and renewed enthusiasm for European cuisine and "haute couture" restaurants.
More than half of the diners questioned said they would be willing to pay more for organic food but some chefs have already responded - Tom's Kitchen in Cale Street, South Kensington, the latest venture from chef Tom Aikens, features photographs of suppliers on the walls.
The survey found tastes have become more European. Although Asian food is still popular, Italian food was the favourite with a quarter of those questioned.
The guide says the most upandcoming location to eat out this year is likely to be Mayfair, with a string of new restaurants.
Dining at more expensive restaurants is growing in popularity, with over a third of respondents preferring the more formal to the casual option. Chez Bruce in Wandsworth claimed the top food honour, ending Gordon Ramsay's Chelsea restaurant's sevenyear winning streak. Tim Zagat, cofounder of Zagat, said today: "It's astonishing to see how expensive the London dining scene has become. It's interesting to note that the average cost of a meal at the top-rated Chez Bruce (£57) is a full £50 less than the runner-up, Gordon Ramsay (£107)."
• Zagat London Restaurants 2008 is published today, price £9.99.
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Reader views (2)
I echo Elfinpunk's comments. I am a never smoker and find it hard to understand how total smoking bans can be democratic. Modern systems of ventilation/filtration can remove 99.97% of all air borne particulates making indoor air cleaner than outdoors. Smoking bans result if 20% of carcinogens remaining. Surely the obvious answer is a regulated Indoor Air Quality Standard making the need for bans obsolete. Isn't that democracy?
- Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon
I am not surprised more people are eating out more often. It is less smokey. Yes the smoking ban has helped but if you actually talk to most smokers, like myself, we didn't light up in food outlets anyway.
Keep the ban there but bring it back to the non food serving pubs and clubs. Every weekend my local club is empty inside but the pavement outside is packed with smoking people. Put a sign on the door that says "smoking pub" or "smoking club" then leave it to the landlord to decide if they want a smoke free pub/club or not.
When did democracy in England disappear so simply (about 1997 wasn't it, when a certain Mr Blair came to power)?
- Elfinpunk, Weston-super-Mare, England
