Certainly your taking offense to the suggestion for a reservation colored your experience there. Understandably, when often we diners are rubbed the wrong way as we enter the door, sometimes we are over-critical or overly sensitive to our senses. I bet if you tried everything you didn't like again, you might like half of them. But certainly, a party of 6, especially at a nice place (regardless if you agree, it has a great reputation and is often busy and is well respected) you need a reservation especially in New York City!! I can read you were perturbed by this, but it is very common courtesy to make reservations so the kitchen can plan on accommodating all orders in a timely fashion. That goes in most places, most major cities, but of course in NYC. Though there may have been open tables, you don't know if they were being reserved by those who DID call in a reservation. Anything to take away from this is to make reservations at nice places, esp w tables of 5 or more, and always in NYC, and to then relax and enjoy the food. You are the one paying for it, you got in, just enjoy it. Just my advice for you next time...