> Majority of restaurant is all about experience and event payment system should match that experience.

I'm in the UK. I go to many high-end restaurants, cocktail bars, etc. Portable card terminals are essentially universal in these places. The fact it's the same everywhere is a feature, not a bug.

It's quick. Your card never leaves your sight. No pen is required. Payments up to £100 can be done using contactless on a physical card. Even higher amounts with smartphones/smart watches. Tipping is often integrated into the terminal where tipping is common. It's rare to have to put the card into the terminal.

I don't think it detracts from the experience. On the contrary, I think it streamlines the bit between being finished and wanting to leave:

"Please can I have the bill and a card machine, please".

I've lived in Japan for so long now that paying at restaurants in other countries where it's done at the table seems so awkward.

In Japan, you don't pay at the table, you get up when leaving and pay at the exit. If you're at a high-end establishment entertaining guests, this also leaves you the opportunity to "go to the restroom" late in the dinner and pay ahead of time so that the "mess" of payments is completely forgotten.

It also means waiters don't need to run around the place with cards/readers/cash, you don't need to fumble when you left your wallet in your coat that's been hung up, don't need to squint to read receipts in the dim mood lighting in the eating area, etc etc.