Zagat just released the 2011/12 Connecticut Restaurants Survey ($14.95) with 902 restaurants surveyed Conn_Flat_1112by 4,146 local diners.

Some highlights of the survey include:

Top food: Le Petit Cafe in Branford had the top Food score, with a near perfect 29 for Food out of 30 — followed by PolytechnicON20 (American) in Hartford, Thomas Henkelmann (French) in Greenwich, The Mill at 2T (American) in Tariffville, Jean-Louis (French) Greenwich, and Basso Cafe (Mediterranean) in Norwalk, each with 28 for Food

Top Decor & Service: PolytechnicON20 in Hartford

Most Popular: Frank Pepe Pizzeria

Top Newcomer: Boathouse at Saugatuck, in Westport, serving local New American cuisine

Other Noteworthy Newcomers: The Fez (Moroccan) Stamford,  Red Lulu (Mexican) South Norwalk, Bar Bouchee (French) Madison, The Brasserie (French) Fairfield, Cafe d’Azur (Mediterranean) Darien, Sails (American) Norwalk, Oaxaca (Mexican) New Haven, and Tappo (Italian) Stamford

Best Buys: Coromandel (All You Can Eat, Family-Style) many location; Basso Cafe (BYO) Norwalk; Osianna (Early -Bird) Fairfield; Jean Louis (Prix Fixe Lunch) Greenwich; Woodward House (Prix Fixe Dinner) Bethlehem; Bru Room at BAR (Pub Grub) New Haven; Lenny & Joe’s (Seafood Shack) Madison and Westbrook; and  Abbot’s Lobster (Seafood Shack) Noank.

Best Bang for the Buck: Shady Glen diner (Manchester) Super Duper Weenie (Fairfield) Isabelle et Vincent (Fairfield), Sycamore Drive-In (Beth-El), and Louis Lunch (New Haven)

For additional info click here.

–  bonnie