I echo all that was said above. I get very upset in similar situations, esp when dining after 8PM, sometimes as late as 9-10PM -- and still having whiny crying kids to contend with (at 10PM, no wonder).
However, I might add an aspect that is a bit off-topic that might have contributed to
brendamc's situation:
The fact that such loud noise could be heard across the dining room may also have been a consequence of the acoustics in the restaurant. I have noticed that some restaurants have
atrocious acoustics, and sounds seem to reverberate off the walls from all over. Depending on the lay-out of the dining room, a sensible owner will try to put in some sound-deadening (curtains, banquettes, etc) devices to keep noise at least confined to the immediate area.
As a weird example, I was at an very nice but very noisy Philly-area restaurant in a converted rail station. While sitting there alone (my dining partner in the loo), I could distinctly hear a conversation as clearly as if the two were seated at my table (-- and a tantalzing conversation it was!
). I realized that the arched ceiling acted as conduit, bringing sounds from one end of the room to the other. I mention this to the owner, who later installed artistic ceiling tiles that effectively deadened the arch effect and all the other ambient noise as well.