> how does a local learn which new restaurants are truly exceptional? Do you really live in a small town? In my experience, someone goes there, then tells oth

> how does a local learn which new restaurants are truly exceptional? Do you really live in a small town? In my experience, someone goes there, then tells other people. The news spreads in like weeks in small towns. It is known weeks in advance if a new place will open. There is zero chance an exceptional restaurant would evade my discovery. I can name almost all about twenty resturants that operate in total. Of which 2 are 'exceptional'. People just tell me without me asking. Edit: By 'name' I also meant 'the place by X'.