I'll admit I'm making a judgement call on hearsay, but really not going to get too upset about it. Hell, this whole thread is someone getting a recommendation on hearsay as is every other thread like it.
Point is I really, really enjoy pappas. And as you said, these are expensive, rare meals. I've tried venturing out, maestros, B&B, v&a, 1/5 (gj), and just about every time I've been disappointed and didn't think the meal was as good as pappas even though, in most cases, it was more expensive. I guess I wasn't disappointed in B&B but still didn't think it was quite as good.
So, this year when our anniversary comes around I can call an Uber, spend $5-10, to get to pappas, have a meal that I know I'll enjoy and get new wines from a pretty extensive (albeit overpriced) wine list, and Uber back home. Or I can drive 30+ minutes to a restaurant that's an unknown (for me) but seems most people I know that have been have said it's good but not as good as pappas or B&B. As well as having to take into consideration the 30+ minute drive back home.