Boy did you hit it on the head. BULLSEYE!!

I cannot tell you how many times we have been out either as a couple or with
friends that the noise level in the restaurant hasn't had us leave early or
removed that particular place from our future to do list.

One of the prime examples was Blowfish. We came with another couple to
Blowfish for dinner at 8 p.m. By 9 the music was so loud that we couldn't
hear each other speak across the table.

Then of course as the music gets louder everyone is screaming at each other
to be heard.

We left at 930 and cancelled our last two courses, never to return again.

Similar instance at Thuet, where it was so noisy we refused dessert so we
could leave early and escape the 'din'.

Now as you suggested if we book at a new restaurant we haven't attended
before we ask about the noise level, They usually tell us to book earlier
e.g.. 630 or 7 and we do, and it seems to work.

We are now crossing restaurants with good food off our list where the noise
level eclipses the taste of the food.