OP didn't make a fuss over it at the restaurantt, he just tipped a reasonable 15% and quietly departed. The fuss being made here is by the folks who think he was in the wrong to reduce his tip. It is a customer's right to tip on based on the overall experience at the restaurant, not just the waiter. For example, my reservation might be messed up so that I have to wait or I might get a bad table or I might not like the food, and while none of this stuff is the fault of the waiter, I would not tip as generously as for an overall great experience. Especially not at a top restaurant where high prices justify high expectations. Waiter staff don't have any particular right to always expect to get a minimum of 20%.