MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

High class dinning out: two for one in New York

Dining out in New York continues to be cheaper than in Tokyo, London or Paris, in spite of the fact that an average meal in one of the Big Apple's restaurants has risen 5% between 2005 and 2006.

Zagat 2007, the US main gastronomic guide states that dining out in New York costs on average of 39.43 US dollars, well below the 75 US dollars of Tokyo, 72 US dollars in London and 67 US dollars in Paris.

However dining in a luxurious place has become considerably dear since the average price of a category meal in New York has increased 14.5% and now averages 129 US dollars. But this is considerably less than in Tokyo where a similar treat averages 206 US dollars per head.

But the Zagat guide excluded from its listing the Asian restaurant "Masa" considered the most expensive of New York, since dining averages 450 US dollars.

Lower costs, compared to other cities, are more attractive in the Big Apple where its residents on average dine out 3.4 times a week compared to 2.9 times for Paris and 2.4 times in London.

Behind New York the most costly cities in the US are Palm Beach, Las Vegas, Long Island and San Francisco with the average meal in restaurants averaging 33 US dollars.

As to tipping, although it differs from state to state, the national average is 18.8% with the most generous city Philadelphia with 19.4%.

"Le Bernardin" for the fourth year running was chosen the best restaurant while "Gramercy Tavern" the most popular.