I agree with the poster who said that not all dining has to be an experience. In our household eating out is often a spur of the moment thing. I don't need it to be complicated too. We have several non-chain local restaurants, almost all ethnic, that we frequent when we are in the mood.

Another factor is that for some of the nicer places there is some planning involved. I need to dress accordingly and probably need reservations too.

Some of the best places that I have eaten are little places that only the locals know. The locals would prefer that it stays that way.