Your hotel concierge or bartender is a good way to get recommendations on dining. Just develop a rapport with each and give them an idea of what you want: romantic, local color, yuppie environment, etc. That way, you really meet some great people.
We were in Bern the day the Iraq war started. There was a large protest and we met a lady on the trolley (she was born in Bern, but now lives in Philadelphia) who told us what was going on and that the trolleys and buses would be stopping. These chance encounters are what really stand out and make a trip memorable.