The duel in dining guides

GUIDES. When it comes to dining guides, Americans have long been able to rely on the trusty Zagat Survey. The guides rate restaurants in dozens of cities around the country based on the input of tens of thousands of frequent diners.

Its new rival is none other than an esteemed French guidebook that doles out restaurant ratings based on the findings of professional food critics. Zagat is locked in an intensifying battle with the 107-year-old Michelin Guide, a little red book that intends to crack Zagat’s fierce hold.

Jean-Luc Naret, director of the Michelin Guides, said he’s eyeing guides for Boston, Miami, Chicago and Washington, D.C.