For me quality of company, quality of food, value for money, atmosphere and attentive and friendly staff in that order is what I'm after.
I don't mind if it's expensive if the other boxes are ticked. Inattentive or rude staff a big red flag for me and I won't return even if the food is good, at least not for a long time..
The quality of the food is paramount though, otherwise what's the point? I'm usually disappointed if I figure that I could have done a better job at home myself.
I do you remember one time staying in a hotel in Ireland and the food was deplorable in the bar, I couldn't believe that they were actually serving it to us.. I didn't Eat it, paid the bill and never returned..
It's a terrible moment when one realises that the food is inedible, and one still has to pay. Disappointing, wasteful and costly.
I like going out from time to time but it's amazing how many places let me down for one reason or another and so I tend to eat at home more often these days. Back a few years I was eating at a restaurant three or four times a week, now it's not even that over a fortnight. Sometimes I miss it but with quality declining I'd rather opt to make it myself and know what I'm getting.
Ya I know what ya mean alright, also with restaurants you don't know how much salt and sugar everything is getting loaded with.