How do you choose?

[Rachel Perlow]

How do you select restaurants to review? Do people call or write to the Times or to you personally, saying "you should check out ___"? Or, do you rely on PR announcements or your own research? Or is it a combination or something else?

[David Corcoran]

Word of mouth is my very best source. Everyone should feel free to make suggestions: njdine@nytimes.com.

I also look at the reviews in the competition, visit eGullet and chowhound.com, follow Rosie's listing of opening and closings, and in general keep my ear to the ground (which sometimes makes it hard to swallow).