Not sure how long this feature has existed, but I don't remember seeing it a couple of weeks ago. If you search for a business that fits into a category, Google suggests that category as well..

For example: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=l&hl=EN&geocode=&q=simla&near=Hinckley,+UK&ie=UTF8&z=11&om=1

Notice the "Categories: Restaurants – Indian"

Its been there for a long time i think. When I was advertising you had to pick a catagory

Since a long time ago...

A quest to the Flickr...
http://flickr.com/photos/silvery/511104364/

Martin, I often use it, even in French ;-)

wow Heroes now on first French TV =)