New Zagat rankings for Baltimore shake up the top 10

The Zagat’s “2013 Washington, DC/Baltimore Restaurants Survey,” is released on Tuesday. Among the guide’s new listings, editors have designated 10 “key newcomers,” including, Hersh’s Pizza, Of Love and Regret, Pabu, Thames Street Oyster House and Wit & Wisdom.

Although Zagat publishes annual updated guides, established restaurants are only re-rated, and re-ranked, every other year. Charleston remains on top of the Food and Decor ranking, with 29 out of a possible 30 points in both categories, and remains tied with the Prime Rib for best service, along with newcomer Tersiguel’s. Top ranked restaurants by cuisine include Charleston (new American), Miss Shirley’s (traditional American), Black Olive (seafood), Faidley’s (crab houses) and Samos (Greek).

There’s a big shake-up, however, on the Most Popular list, which Zagat compiles by asking surveyors to rank their five favorite restaurants they've voted on. Woodberry Kitchen still has the top spot, but the Helmand, Black Olive, Petit Louis and Pazo have dropped out of the top 10. (So, has Volt, which is now listed in the Washington section.) In their places are the Double T Diner (no. 2) G&M Seafood (no. 5), Miss Shirley’s (no. 6), Tio Pepe (no. 8) and Sabatino’s (no. 10). If there’s a shocker, it’s the new no. 7 — the Four Seasons Grille in Gambrills. The other Most Popular restaurants are the Prime Rib (no. 3) and Charleston (no. 4)

In addition to the print guide, Zagat's scores and reviews are now available — and for free — via Google products. The Baltimore, Annapolis and Eastern Shore section of the survey was edited by Marty Katz and Martha Thomas.

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