Abondante is a great place, head and shoulders above most restaurants in the area. (Still better than Lago down the street, even though they've [Lago] gotten better since their pretentious beginning.) While I can't say the snooty experience didn't happen, I have to say I've seen the exact opposite. We've gone in without reservations (party of 2 once, party of 4 another time) and were seated with no problem. Sometimes they have special dinners; perhaps this accounts for the difference in greetings and absence off reservations. The first time I went there I had the entree below - and I thought about it for weeks later, it was that good!
Since then I've been there about 8 times, and have never left unsatisfied.
Ravioli al' Aragosta e Gamberi- Scallops & shrimp with lobster & mascarpone sauce over ravioli. $21.95