ZGustibus

It's tough to go to a place with 16 people and get the true experience. It sound like you are not into that type of restaurant to begin with- but if you are, I would recommend going back with just a few people and ordering whatever looks good to you (rather then having food ordered for you, and paying a price that you clearly felt was too much). We sat in that same middle table on a night when the place was full and it didn't seem as loud to us. It probably was the 16 of you making the noise!