According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Nina Zagat appears in 204 case documents, 2 flight log entries in the Epstein files.
Co-founder with her husband Tim Zagat of the Zagat Survey restaurant rating guides, which became the standard consumer restaurant reference in New York and later worldwide before Google acquired the brand. In February 2002, flight records confirm Nina and Tim Zagat traveled on Epstein's private jet along with cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker and television executives Geraldine and Kit Laybourne. The group was traveling to the TED conference in Monterey, California, in what organizers described as a ride arranged by TED. The Zagats also dined with Epstein at New York restaurants on multiple occasions documented in his schedule. TED 2002 attendees whose names appear in Epstein files prompted Yahoo News coverage in 2026 describing the conference as a meeting point for Epstein contacts.
No allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein's criminal activities have been made against Nina Zagat.
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Nina Zagat is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Nina Zagat (née Nina Safronoff) is an American businesswoman best known as the co-founder of the Zagat Survey, a widely recognized restaurant and hospitality rating guide. She built the Zagat brand alongside her husband, Tim Zagat, and the couple became prominent figures in the New York City dining and social scene.
The Zagat Survey, which began as a compilation of restaurant reviews from friends and colleagues, grew into one of the most influential consumer guides in the hospitality industry. Nina Zagat's expertise in the restaurant world is reflected in the documentary evidence, which frequently shows her in the context of organizing or attending restaurant outings.
Nina Zagat appears in at least 50 documents from the Epstein case files, often alongside her husband Tim Zagat, who appears in 230 shared documents. The evidence primarily reflects a social relationship with Jeffrey Epstein that extended from at least 2010 through early 2018, including after Epstein's 2008 conviction and registration as a sex offender. No allegations of wrongdoing have been made against Nina Zagat.
Epstein Connection
Nina Zagat's connection to Jeffrey Epstein is documented as a social relationship centered around dining and social gatherings. Documents show she and her husband Tim Zagat maintained contact with Epstein over a period of years, coordinated through Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff. Specific documented interactions include being on guest lists for social events alongside figures such as Woody Allen and Nick Pritzker, having scheduled lunches with Epstein, and organizing restaurant outings in New York. Notably, the documented relationship continued well after Epstein's 2008 conviction, with email exchanges in 2017 and 2018 showing active social planning between the Zagats and Epstein.
Key Allegations(6)
Nina and Tim Zagat were scheduled for a lunch with Epstein on a December 19 (Sunday) at 1:00 PM, followed by a 4:00 PM departure ('Wheels up to the island').
documentedNina Zagat was included on a guest list for a social gathering alongside Jeffrey Epstein, Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Bobby Slayton, David Brenner, Nick Pritzker, and Craig Robins, with a driver (JOJO) arranged for transportation.
documentedJeffrey Epstein confirmed Nina Zagat's inclusion in plans in a December 17, 2010 email exchange with assistant Lesley Groff, responding 'of course' when asked 'Nina Zagat too??'
documentedNina Zagat was in direct email communication with Epstein's staff regarding an Italian restaurant outing in the Bronx in May 2017.
documentedNina Zagat coordinated dinner plans with Epstein through email in January 2018, asking 'What time would Jeffrey like? Should we pick the place.'
documentedThe Zagats maintained an active social relationship with Epstein through at least January 2018, well after his 2008 conviction.
documentedLegal Status
Nina Zagat appears in Epstein case file documents as a social contact. She has not been charged, investigated, or named as a witness or victim in relation to the Epstein case. No allegations of wrongdoing have been made against her.
Notable Statements(3)
“Monday works for us. What time would Jeffrey like? Should we pick the place”
“OK. We'll call you to follow”
“of course”
Key Relationships(5)
Tim Zagat is Nina Zagat's husband and co-founder of Zagat Survey. They appear together in 230 shared documents and are consistently referenced as a couple in Epstein-related communications and guest lists. [efta-01809654, efta-02116597, efta-02236327]
Jeffrey Epstein maintained a social relationship with Nina Zagat, documented through scheduled lunches, guest lists, and email exchanges about restaurant outings spanning at least 2010-2018. They share 168 documents. [efta-01809654, efta-02116597, efta-02236546, efta-efta01830389]
Lesley Groff, Epstein's executive assistant, served as the primary intermediary coordinating social plans between the Zagats and Epstein. She appears in 96 shared documents with Nina Zagat. [efta-efta01830389, efta-02226604, efta-efta00328825, efta-efta00328444]
Woody Allen appeared on the same guest list as Nina and Tim Zagat for a social gathering organized around Epstein. [efta-02116597]
Luciano 'Jojo' Fontanilla was listed as a driver ('JOJO TO DRIVE YOU') for an event attended by the Zagats. [efta-02116597]
Timeline(7 events)
Jeffrey Epstein confirms Nina Zagat's inclusion in plans via email exchange with assistant Lesley Groff, responding 'of course' to the question 'Nina Zagat too??'
Scheduled lunch with Tim and Nina Zagat at 1:00 PM on a December 19 (Sunday), followed by '4:00 Wheels up to the island' on Epstein's calendar.
Nina and Tim Zagat listed on guest list for social gathering alongside Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Bobby Slayton, David Brenner, Nick Pritzker, and Craig Robins, with driver JOJO arranged.
Email exchange referencing 'Jeffrey Epstein-Italian Restaurant in the BRONX' involving Nina Zagat.
Email exchange coordinated by Lesley Groff regarding Tim Zagat calling Jeffrey, with Groff advising 'Can he please call after 9:30am.' Nina Zagat also forwards a separate message.
Email from Epstein's side to Tim and Nina Zagat: 'Hello Tim and Nina...just following up...' Nina responds: 'Monday works for us. What time would Jeffrey like? Should we pick the place.'
Nina Zagat sends follow-up email: 'OK. We'll call you to follow' regarding dinner plans with Epstein.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
3 sources for flight appearances
Epstein Flight Logs (2 entries)
2002
“Appeared on 2 documented flights between MRY Airport and Van Nuys Airport, CA”
Sources
1 source for known connections
Shared Flight Appearances
“Appears on flights with 6 other persons in the Epstein network”
Activity Timeline
Network Graph
Known Connections (6)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
External Records
Matches from OpenSanctions covering OFAC SDN, EU FSF, Interpol, PEP registries, and Wikidata.
Political Donations (100)
Cross-referenced against FEC Schedule A (individual contributions). Name matching does not confirm identity.
Top Recipients
Flight Log Appearances (2)
| Date | Route | Aircraft | Co-Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2002 | MRY Airport → Van Nuys Airport, CA | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Sarah Kellen, Kelly Bovino |
| Feb 20, 2002 | John F. Kennedy International, NY → MRY Airport | N908JE | Jeff Epstein, Sarah Kellen, Geraldine +14 |
Document Mentions
Schedule (12)
2014-01-26 to 2016-10-05 · 6 entries verified across multiple documents
Dinner with Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Jim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, David Brenner, David Blaine and perhaps Blaine's card guy
Ristorante Morini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner at Ristorante Morini
Ristorante Morini
Dinner with multiple guests at Ristorante Morini
Ristorante Morini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner with multiple guests
Ristorante Morini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner w/Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Tim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, David Brenner (MAYBE- David is not feeling well), Nick Pritzker; Nick's friend Craig Robins, Kara, Martin Nowak, Jes Staley, Leon Botstein, Michael Wolff, Richard Wurman
Ristorante Marini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner at Ristorante Marini
Ristorante Marini, 1167 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10028
Dinner with Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Tim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, maybe David Brenner plus JE's 3
Dinner with Woody Allen, Soon 17, Tim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, maybe David Brenner plus JE's 3
Dinner w/Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Tim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, maybe David Brenner plus JE
Dinner with Woody Allen, Tim Zagat, Nina Zagat, Bobby Slayton, maybe David Brenner plus JE's 3
Dinner at Itaman Restaurant with Tim & Nina Zagat and Ariane
Itaman Restaurant
Dinner at L'Artusi Restaurant with Tim & Nina Zagat
L'Artusi Restaurant
About Nina Zagat
Who is Nina Zagat?
Co-founder with her husband Tim Zagat of the Zagat Survey restaurant rating guides, which became the standard consumer restaurant reference in New York and later worldwide before Google acquired the brand. In February 2002, flight records confirm Nina and Tim Zagat traveled on Epstein's private jet along with cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker and television executives Geraldine and Kit Laybourne. The group was traveling to the TED conference in Monterey, California, in what organizers described as a ride arranged by TED. The Zagats also dined with Epstein at New York restaurants on multiple occasions documented in his schedule. TED 2002 attendees whose names appear in Epstein files prompted Yahoo News coverage in 2026 describing the conference as a meeting point for Epstein contacts. No allegations of wrongdoing related to Epstein's criminal activities have been made against Nina Zagat.
What is Nina Zagat's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Nina Zagat appears in 204 case documents, 2 flight logs, and 0 emails from the Epstein investigation files. Connected to 6 other persons of interest.
Did Nina Zagat fly on Epstein's planes?
Yes, Nina Zagat appears on 2 flight manifests from Epstein's aircraft logs, including flights between John F. Kennedy International, NY and MRY Airport.
Is Nina Zagat in the Epstein files?
Yes. Nina Zagat is referenced in 204 documents from the Epstein case files, including court filings, FBI reports, and DOJ releases. They also appear on 2 flight logs. 6 connections to other persons of interest have been documented.
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