Last Updated: August 30, 2026
Our Editorial Purpose
All our work is based on one simple idea: Is it helpful in making an informed choice?
The above-mentioned idea defines what is published.
We produce city guides, neighborhood roundups, lists of specific cuisines, business recommendations, profiles of the businesses, and other restaurant-related resources. Every publication should be helpful in providing some context rather than just repeating the same old facts available elsewhere, such as on maps or rating pages.
We try to answer the questions of what is unique and special about a business and whom it may fit.
How We Select Places
Inclusion is not determined by a single number.
Our writers might take into account all of the following together:
- Customer experience history
- Local reputation over a long period of time
- Quality and variety of menu offerings
- Price point and value
- Service style
- Atmosphere and ambiance
- Accessibility
- Location
- Consistency
- Unique specialties
- Appropriateness for particular occasions
- Observations first-hand if possible
Each guide may place emphasis on different factors.
A casual place for breakfast does not need to be measured using the same criteria as an upscale tasting-menu restaurant. It’s contextual.
Research Before Publication
We try to verify key facts prior to publication of a page.
Depending on the subject matter, it might involve checking official websites of businesses, current menus, location data, working hours, booking options, any public announcements, reviews, etc.
Cross-checking of facts from various sources may be performed as well if required.
If some fact cannot be verified with certainty, we don’t present it as a fact.
Firsthand Experience and Research-Based Coverage
Every single location referenced may not have been personally seen by a writer.
In cases where the first-hand experience is available, it can certainly be helpful. But at the same time, we do not want our readers to think that a particular establishment was personally seen when it actually was not.
In research-based reports, we rely on verified public information, customer reviews, regional information, menus, official websites, and editorial judgment. Personal observations and research done at the desk are two types of evidence, and we feel that they should always remain separate.
Reviews Are Signals, Not Final Answers
Online reviews can be helpful but never tell the whole story. We search for patterns rather than taking things in one comment at a time. If something gets repeated a few times, then it could be indicating certain strengths or weaknesses.
Timing is very important because sometimes the experience that happened a few years ago might not be relevant anymore. We pay attention to volume, recency, context, and inconsistency of the reviews. A high rating alone does not guarantee inclusion.
Local Context Matters
Food culture is regional.
The expectations regarding barbecue, seafood, pizza, fine dining, brunch, family-style dining, and many more categories can vary enormously from city to city. Our team structure is built with this in mind.
Individual team members are designated to particular states and regions so that they can gain knowledge about the specific practices in that area. That way, we prevent ourselves from generalizing every city.
Independent Judgment
Editorial considerations should always be taken into account due to the fact that something is worthy of coverage, not because someone has paid for it.
Sponsorship, advertising, affiliate marketing, partnership, or any other commercial relationship does not necessarily mean inclusion, ranking, or wording.
If sponsored content is published, it must be clearly stated.
If affiliates are involved, we may receive a fee for certain actions by our readers.
Businesses Cannot Buy a Better Position
A business owner, agency, publicist, or agent might contact us for new information, suggestions, or corrections. We are happy to receive any facts. However, no third-party individual or company can influence an opinion in an independent guide just by asking for it. We reserve the right to accept, reject, edit, relocate, or delete any listing according to our own policies.
Corrections and Updates
Ownerships change. Menu changes. Price changes. Closures happen. Service changes for the better or worse.
When we find out about a factually incorrect detail, we try to examine it and make the proper changes.
Our readers and business representatives can contact us about:
- Address changes
- Operating details errors
- Owner changes
- Closures
- Menu changes
- Renamed businesses
- Accessibility
- and other facts
Editorial opinions have different treatment compared to factual errors.
The fact that you disagree with some suggestion doesn’t necessarily mean it is inaccurate.
Updating Older Guides
Older pages may be considered for revision in case of new evidence indicating that updating is necessary. We may edit selections, eliminate closed businesses, improve the quality of listings, provide more practical information, or modify the text in case of changes in conditions.
Updating depends on the importance of the page, the availability of evidence, and the pace of development in the local market. A publication or modification date may be indicated, when appropriate, in order to make recency clear to the reader.
Contributor Accountability
Every contributor has a specific geographic and thematic responsibility.
The authorās pages may provide such information as the following:
- Geographic coverage
- Dining specialties
- Methodology
- Editing responsibilities
- Current works
Some contributors may prefer to use professional pseudonyms in order to keep their identities private or independent. In case the pseudonym is used, it is still a real editing responsibility.
Conflicts of Interest
Contributors should not put themselves in positions where independent judgment might be reasonably compromised.
If there is a significant personal, financial, or professional relationship with a company that is covered, the conflict should be disclosed internally and addressed properly.
Depending on the situation, an internal reviewer should go through the content, or a relationship should be disclosed publicly.
Complimentary Meals, Invitations, and Gifts
If a contributor gets a complimentary meal, event invitation, product, or other consideration because of their coverage, this consideration should not lead to favorable treatment.
If disclosure is required, it should be made clearly. Our intention is to eliminate any possible incentives that may mislead our readers.
Accuracy Over Speed
The publication deadline is not more important than the publication value. We prefer postponing a story than presenting unconfirmed facts.
This does not mean that every page will be perfect all the time. Local details may become outdated very fast, and mistakes may occur.
What really counts is the reasonable attempt to verify information before its publication and correction of mistakes once they have been made.
How We Use AI and Digital Tools
Technology can help in organizing, researching, editing, formatting, managing data, or performing other forms of production work. Technology does not relieve people from their editorial duties.
Content meant for publication must be checked by a human editor prior to going public. Verifying the claims, recommendations, and facts in a piece is still necessary no matter which technology was used in creating the first draft.
What Readers Can Expect From Us
The rationale for including a certain place in the guide must be understandable.
We hope to do our best to offer the following:
- Reasoning that is clear and understandable
- Relevant background information
- Sourcing where possible
- Difference between facts and opinions
- Respectful approach towards uncertainties
- Handling of corrections fairly
- Commercial operations and editorial judgments kept separate
What We Expect From Readers
The guidelines should be used as aids to make decisions but not as substitutes for judgment. There are numerous considerations such as taste, budget, dietary requirements, time, and others that differ from person to person. Readers must verify time-specific information such as operating hours, cost, booking arrangements, closings, etc., prior to making any visits by contacting the business concerned.
Our Standard
Our website is based on the principle of trust, and trust is rooted in consistency. We wish each guide to address three major concernsāthe reason why a particular place is recommended, the rationale behind the recommendation, and the beneficiary of the recommendation. This principle informs all our research, writing, editing, updating, and publishing.