Tim and Nina Zagat have ended efforts to sell their eponymous guide-book business, according to Dealbook this morning. Prospective buyers apparently balked at the $200 million asking price.

“While we considered some very attractive options, given our Company’s strong performance and continued momentum, and in light of the current economic climate, we have decided to continue to grow our business organically," the Zagats said in a statement.  read more »

Tim and Nina Zagat dish on the outer boroughs, Danny Meyer’s popularity and why New Yorkers love and loathe the meatpacking district.  read more »

Propaganda Below Canal

The special Larry Silverstein edition of Zagat wins for May because it 1) is actually useful, 2) does not shrink in the wash, and 3) didn't have much competition. But really, the 192-page guide is a brilliant marketing stroke. It is made up of all the downtown listings from Tim Zagat's restaurant, shopping, nightlife and gourmet marketplace surveys and was sent to 3,500 people on the developer's mailing list last week (and will be given to future tenants of 7 World Trade as they, um, become available). "We wanted to send out a 'We're moving' card," said Dara McQuillan, marketing and communications director for Silverstein Properties, which moved its headquarters to 7 WTC two weeks ago. "He's been a friend of Tim's for a long while and they had a discussion a while ago about what they could do to let people know what sort of neighborhood downtown was becoming."