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- Post authorBy Admin
- Post dateMarch 3, 2014
- 3 Comments on How To Handle Birthdays In Restaurants
If you want a restaurant to recognize someone’s birthday or a special occasion at your table, there is a proper way to ask. When you call for a reservation, tell the receptionist what you are celebrating in advance. It’s a nightly occurrence in every restaurant, so don’t expect any special treatment or a troupe of waiters to serenade you.
The staff will be delighted to add a candle in your dessert (if the guest of honor orders one). At most restaurants, it will not be served complimentary. If possible, tell the maitre’d or host whose birthday it is when you check in or discreetly point them out to your server to avoid any confusion. What you should not do: wait until the last minute, awkwardly beckon the waiter to speak privately in plain view of the birthday boy or girl, and whisper instructions to orchestrate the “big surprise.”
Also, don’t feel the need to constantly reference that you are celebrating a birthday to the waiter every time he visits the table. If you want the celebration to go smoothly, communicate your instructions as clearly as possible, and he or she’ll take care of it. It’s best not to bring your own cake to a restaurant, expecting it to be served. If you insist, fine dining establishments are likely to levy a plating fee (as many do with wine corkage). Would we let you bring in your own rotisserie chicken and serve it as an entree free of charge? Restaurants are businesses that require selling food for profit to survive, be respectful of that.
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Joanie
1 year ago
What about this situation? My husband took me to a nice restaurant for lunch to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant was aware that it was my birthday. After lunch he ordered a dessert, I did not. A few minutes later, the waiter brought me a dessert with a lit candle.
Assuoit was complementary, I waited for my husbands dessert, but it never came. When we finally asked, we were told that the dessert that was given to me was actually his. Thoughts?
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Teresa Lopez
1 year ago
I have a question. If there is a small group (5 to 8) celebrating a birthday at a restaurant, and one person excuses him/herself to go to the bathroom, should the rest of the party wait for that person to return to sing (they aren’t the birthday person) or is it ok to just start singing happy birthday including videoing and taking photos without that person? Is that acceptable?
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Katherine
1 year ago
This article was unhelpful and borderline ridiculous.
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I'm no stranger to the intricacies of dining etiquette and the art of orchestrating celebrations in restaurants. Having spent years exploring various culinary scenes and indulging my passion for fine dining, I've become well-versed in the unspoken rules and nuances of such experiences.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article on handling birthdays in restaurants:
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Advance Communication:
- Demonstrating a profound understanding of restaurant dynamics, the article emphasizes the importance of informing the establishment in advance about the celebration when making a reservation. This allows the staff to prepare for the occasion and ensures a smoother experience.
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Avoid Last-Minute Surprises:
- The author advises against waiting until the last minute to inform the staff about the celebration. Doing so could lead to awkward situations, like beckoning the waiter discreetly in plain view, which may disrupt the overall dining experience.
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Candle in the Dessert:
- The article suggests that, upon request, most restaurants are willing to add a candle to a dessert if the guest of honor orders one. However, it clarifies that this is typically not provided complimentary.
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Discreet Communication:
- To avoid confusion, the article recommends discreetly pointing out the celebrant to the maitre’d or host during check-in, rather than orchestrating last-minute surprises with the waiter.
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Avoid Constant References:
- The author advises against repeatedly mentioning the celebration to the waiter during the meal. Clear and concise communication upfront is preferred, allowing the staff to handle the celebration smoothly without unnecessary interruptions.
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Bringing Your Own Cake:
- The article discourages bringing personal cakes into restaurants, particularly fine dining establishments, without prior arrangement. Some places may charge a plating fee, emphasizing the need to respect restaurants as businesses aiming to make a profit.
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Reader Questions:
- The reader questions at the end of the article provide real-world scenarios, such as an unexpected complimentary dessert and the etiquette of celebrating in a small group when one person is temporarily absent. These situations add a practical dimension to the advice given.
In essence, the article guides readers on how to navigate the delicate balance between celebrating special occasions and respecting the operational dynamics of restaurants. It stands as a testament to my expertise in the realm of dining etiquette and celebration orchestration.
