"The offering lets users view local points of interest such as hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and ATM locations on a map. Users can then click on icons to access expanded information, including phone numbers, user ratings for hotels, driving directions and Web site addresses."
Here’s for example a map with indian restaurants in Austin. Click on the red and yellow dots to get links to more info.
03/18/04 update: here’s Pizza in Austin with the new Google Local.
02/08/05 update: same query with the new Google Maps.
02/16/05 update: The Technology Behind Google Maps.