Originally Posted by
darthbimmer
It's worth asking the hotel staff for recommendations, but always take the answer with a grain of salt. No matter how carefully your explain what you want, it's still possible you'll find yourself at a restaurant that the staff member enjoys, not what you enjoy. And no matter how shrewdly you word your question or how genuine the staff seem in their recommendation, you may find yourself in a place they recommend only because they get a kickback. So go ahead and ask, but pair the recommendation with what you've learned via your own research.
I remember once asking a concierge (young kid, not a real professional concierge) in a big city USA chain hotel for a good restaurant and being told Olive Garden or TGIF.
Some bartenders are good for restaurant suggestions, for example in an upscale hotel lobby bar. In some cities, I've done well with asking very upscale department store concierges or very upscale mall concierge/information desk staff. If you're shopping in a store like Tiffany, you could ask any luxury goods salesperson, especially someone who appears to be more mature/professional or is a manager, for fine dining restaurant information. Some car service drivers would be good too, assuming that the driver is a real professional and that you make it clear that the driver or company will not be taking you to the restaurant--for example, ask about restaurants within walking distance of your hotel.