We are 'short trippers' with 3 and 4 day trips most times. We dine out once or twice a month. I am regularly disappointed. Either food is mediocre, service is lousy or there is filth. Every once in a great while, I get good food, service and the place is clean.
I don't know how to cook, but I can outshine most restaurant signature meals with my own version of mac-n-cheese. Not that my mac-n-cheese is especially great, bu that most restaurants are that mundane in their dish flavors.
I think it starts with the quality of the ingredients. Fresh food for starters.