A truly great steak will have a flavor that "announces itself."

For those of us with hectic schedules, getting out for a meal at any restaurant at all can be a treat. But when the quality of the food and experience are important, most diners want something that's far above average. What separates an ordinary restaurant meal from an extraordinary one? What are the hallmarks of a restaurant that's worth returning to or recommending to friends?

Pooja Bhatia is a staff writer for the Wall Street Journal. Here she offers criteria for separating great restaurants from ones that are merely adequate:

• How memorable is the meal? There's a world of difference between a meal that is enjoyable and meal that is so good that you will remember it long after you've paid the bill. Many restaurants will cook a steak to your specifications, but an outstanding restaurant will serve you a steak that's flavorful and announces itself.

• Is the service outstanding? One should expect a waiter to take your order correctly and serve your food in in a timely fashion. In a finer restaurant, a waiter will allow you to relax at the table and not rush you through your food or hurry you through your wine choice. It's also a mark of excellence if a restaurant has a qualified sommelier on staff to answer specific questions.

• Is the chef creative? Make sure to take notice of the chef's creativity. According to Bhatia, chefs usually show their creativity more in appetizers than in entrees because appetizers represent smaller commitments. It's always a plus to be surprised by little details or things you haven't seen or tasted before.

• How fresh is the food? And of course, pay attention to how fresh the food looks and tastes. A truly fine restaurant would never serve anything but the freshest foods.

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