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The directory options are useful as you can see in the example screenshots above. The main breakdowns are shown below.
The first allows you to either search in basic or advanced mode as you can see above.
The second allows you to find restaurants based on characteristics of each one. You can see two examples above.
The last lets you search based on the popularity of the location. This is bases on quite a few factors and you can choose the top list that you wish to use as a reference.
Once again between each of these selections that you make you will see the download toolbar. This is because none of the information is stored locally so every request requires a new download.
Once you make a selection as you can see above you will get some very good detailed information about the restaurant or nightclub. They also include some very nifty features that I found very useful. The descriptions are quite good but I could not get a good screenshot of them.
The top of each listing has two buttons allowing you to either call the location by clicking the call button or viewing a map of the location.  The maps are pretty good and allow you to zoom in and out. You can also ask for directions to and from the location. The downside is that there is no saved address option or GPS support so you would have to enter in the address manually each time which can get frustrating. They also offer the option of getting route information on a turn by turn basis but sadly you cannot view the map and the route information at the same time.
At the bottom of each listing you will find some cool integration options. There is a button to add the listing to your address book which I found useful. They also offer you the ability to add an item to your calendar but they do it through their interface which is not as user friendly as the native BlackBerry calendar. Last of all they also offer you the ability to send the listing by email to a friend but once again this is done through a clumsy Zagat interface that does not allow you to grab addresses from your address book.
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion: In truth I would highly recommend Zagat To Go to all professionals who would otherwise be carrying a paperback Zagat guide. Personally I found that using Beyond411 got me results that were almost as good in half the time it took to even start Zagat To Go. The interface for Zagat To Go is a bit clumsy all around and could use refinement. I found that it had great in depth ratings and content on each of the locations but the presentation and accessibility left me wanting. I really wish they found a way to cache the listings locally so that searching would be an easier process since currently every selection requires communication with the server. Hopefully Zagat will get a GUI (Graphic User Interface) expert to help them redesign their application because the content is great but the delivery could use alot of work.
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I have used Zagat to go on my Palm for years and it was my favortie program.I am very disappointed with Zagat to go. I no longer have a wish or favorite list. and the shopping guides for food and stores are not available (which I used) I am also concerned about lack of access when my phone is out of range – too bad – I am now looking at other options. A drawback for Blackberry and Zagat
I agree Fern. The fact that it has to download the information every time has made me give up on the application. I am hoping Mobipocket will manage to get a copy of Zagat to work as a database. The current implementation is just a pain that makes it completely useless. I use Beyond411 and they have some ratings built in which are decent
One major drawback for me is that you cannot enter your current location and look for nearby restaurants. Neighborhoods is as close as this application will get. I guess I was spoiled by Vindigo on my palm device.
Yeah it could really be so much better. The Palm and WM versions just prove that