So true! I eat out at "fancy" restaurants often for work. They're all mediocre. Last week I was served six paper-thin slices of beet in an olive oil drizzle for $23! And the $40 steak tasted like it had been frozen. Two servers both got our table and drinks orders wrong, though we were only one of two tables in the restaurant at the time. Thank god it's not my money! I'd rather eat at home.
Before 9/11, I ate at the top of the World Trade Center and experienced real service. I remember how my water glass was always full and dirty plates disappeared while I never saw the wait staff do it. It was magical! Gone are those days.