Other
New York magazine and nymag.com's restaurant listings work great. Also, the Menupages app is excellent if you're on-the-go already.
Word of mouth
If someone I know and trust says try it,
I usually do. However, I make sure that
I like their style.
Sometimes I win and more often I don't.
Websites
I read food blogs to identify interesting restaurants, then if I need help finding them, I use Yelp on my iPhone. If I'm just looking for a random place near my current location, I'll do a Yelp search on my phone.
Other
My husband can't walk far, so we first look for a parking spot, usually at a meter. Then, there is always a choice of restaurants on that block, and we choose one of them based on their menu in the window and the look of the place.
Websites
I try to keep my finger on the restaurant pulse in the city but reading various food blogs and newsletters, but when it comes to making a decision, I almost always rely on New York Magazine's website. They have an incredibly comprehensive system with specific filters that help you narrow down exactly what you're looking for. I also trust their restaurant reviews.
Word of mouth
Yelp if I'm on the street. Otherwise, I rely on friends for advice/suggestions.
