As I mentioned before, I love Le Bernardin, but I think it has to do with the way that restaurant introduced me to fine dining outside of business meals. I was most impressed by the way that staff are always there, in the background, ready whenever you need them but not intrusive. I was never interrupted by a waiter while in the middle of a conversation with my dinner companion (don't you hate how wait staff interrupt at the worst possible moments?), for instance.

At the Inn at Little Washington, I was identified once upon arrival and from there on everyone knew who I was. Menus are personalized, and taken away after ordering. You can have them to take with you upon leaving. When I was on my way out of the restaurant I was asked if I wanted mine, I said yes, and they gave the menus to me... it didn't strike me until later that they never asked me who I was! The woman at the desk in front just knew, though I have no idea how....