This month marks the eighth consecutive year we've run our "best of dining" survey. Along with its February bars and clubs counterpart, it's among the most popular annual articles we publish on OnMilwaukee.com.

Each year, the poll generates a little bit of controversy, so I'd like to tell you the method to our madness, in hopes that you understand why we picked who we did.

After years of trial and error, we settled on 50 questions. It's a lot, but not so many that it takes forever to finish and people lose interest (as of this morning, 96 percent of the participants completed the entire poll).

We have also limited our choices to 15 per category (though a few categories, like "best French" have fewer to choose from). That's not to say that there are only 15 great Italian restaurants, for example, but historically, when we've listed, say, 30 choices, the results became so watered down that it didn't take an overwhelming number to win.

Each year, we look at last year's results and drop the lowest vote-getters and seriously ponder if anywhere else deserves consideration for the upcoming survey. We look at both the "other" votes and new restaurants that deserve consideration. It's a tough process, but it's one that we don't dismiss lightly.

So, while it's partially true that each category represents our 15 favorite picks, we've also had to cut some of our own choices when our readers simply don't agree. When we publish the results in October during OnMilwaukee.com Dining Month, we'll also provide our "editors' picks" which are sometimes the same and sometimes different than the picks of our readers.

Also, we strive to avoid too many duplicates. Some of Milwaukee's finest restaurants deserve to be in many categories, but we're mindful of giving as many great places a chance to be included.

Finally, please remember that we do include the "other" option in every category, though never once in the history of this poll has an "other" taken first place. That either means that our suggestions are pretty good, or voters will tend to pick choices that are presented in front of them. Maybe it's a combination of both.

Is this a popularity contest? Yes, by the very nature of what it is. Do many readers simply vote for places they've heard of? Unfortunately, I'd say yes again, which might account for so many places that win year after year after year.

Fortunately, new voters who are coming to OnMilwaukee.com via social media and other sources (our site traffic is up about 22 percent over last year) are bringing in new voices, and we heartily welcome them.

Whoever wins, the diners are the ones who walk away with the prize. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Milwaukee has an incredible, diverse dining scene for a city of its size. I personally print out this list and use it as a pocket guide throughout the year, and I recommend you do, too.

And please take a minute to vote if you haven't already. Your participation makes our "best of" poll even better, and we look forward to your unique dining perspective this year, too.