Being rude in a restaurant is never appropriate. If one patron is doing something that interferes with another customer’s enjoyment of his meal, then the first patron is in the wrong. However, that said, if you need to get or make a cell phone call in a restaurant, there are ways to handle the situation politely. If you are dining with others, then explain why you need to take or make the call and ask if they mind. If you are in a very noisy restaurant, then you should excuse yourself and go off somewhere quiet to make or take the call. This particular guy sounds exceedingly self-centered and so feels free to disregard any etiquette he may have been apprised of. Perhaps a word to the waiter, the maitre d’, or the manager could have resolved the situation better.