25 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

Steve, thanks for the warning on Kokkari!  sounds like they are so busy they don't give a damn about customer service.

[2 Aces]

I've never told a restaurant it was my birthday.

Me either, Deanna. I suspect that some/most of the people that mention "it's my birthday" probably expect something. I'm not built that way.

[camay2327]

Scott's by the river off of I-5 brought a bottle of champagne and a dessert to my dad with no request.  They asked when we made the reservation if it was a special occasion.  It made his night he felt so special.

 

But, normally, I wouldn't expect anything free, but places usually will at least put something like ice cream or gelato on a plate for the birthday guest.  I wouldn't expect anything fancier unless it was ordered and paid for by the invitees.

When Scott's knows that there is a birthday at the table, like letting them know when you make a reservation, they will give a free dessert. May be of their choice, but they are always great.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Me either, Deanna. I suspect that some/most of the people that mention "it's my birthday" probably expect something. I'm not built that way.

 

Well, I don't expect anything. Many restaurants  ask the person setting up reservations if they are celebrating anything. I don't set up my own birthday dinners, so it wouldn't be me saying anything and I'm sure my husband doesn't "expect"anything -- he just answers the question. Or one of our kids sneaks to tell wait staff because they want the birthday song. And......if the restaurant asks when the reservation is being taken and then does something to acknowledge a birthday (or anniversary),  it must be something they enjoy doing.

 

The Kitchen asks whether people are celebrating anything, and they just make announcements to congratulate folks.

 

I can't fathom entering a restaurant and announcing, "It's my birthday." *sigh

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

 

I don't think it's odd because having been in the hospitality business, and frequenting restaurants and getting to know many restaurant owners, many do a comp dessert, often something as simple as a scoop of ice cream. 

 

Though I don't expect it, there was an incident that happened some years ago that was kind of surprising. 

 

I made reservations at Kokkari in San Francisco. I know it can get loud in there, and I told the hostess that it was my wife's birthday and we'd like a quieter area away from the bar. They accommodated us, and after dinner, the waiter brought out a dessert with my wife's name written in chocolate on the plate. 

 

I thought it was an awesome gesture.

 

I didn't check my bill until the next day and found they had charged me $15 for it.

 

I called the restaurant and spoke with the owner. He said something to the effect that everyone who goes there is celebrating something, and that if they gave away a free dessert to everyone, they'd go out of business.

 

I pointed out that I did not ask for anything, and that if we had ordered dessert it would have been something different, and that it would have been appropriate to ask if I was interested in ordering a personalized dessert.

 

He got indignant about it and said, 'You want your fifteen bucks back?! Give me your credit card number!'

 

I was rather indignant and said something like, 'It sounds like you need it more than I do' and promised never to go back, and hung up.

 

 

That's really bad.

[2kids4me]

I don't expect it, but it's a nice treat. I think it's just nice to have the occasion acknowledged.  

[Steve Heard]

Me either, Deanna. I suspect that some/most of the people that mention "it's my birthday" probably expect something. I'm not built that way.

 

I don't know that people announce their own birthdays, maybe they do, but I think many a significant other or family member does.

 

If I owned a restaurant and found out that someone was celebrating an occasion and had chosen my place to celebrate in, I'd surely want to make it special with some small gesture. 

 

Funny story: Many years ago I was with clients in Dallas. We had dinner at Dick's Last Resort. If you've been to a Dick's, you know their servers are comically rude and inappropriate.

 

Unbeknownst to me, one of my clients had told our server that it was my birthday (it was not).

 

Suddenly, the server came along with a paper dunce cap and placed it on my head. He then grabbed the microphone and said, 'Hey everybody this idiot is celebrating his birthday. On the count of three everybody yell 'Who gives a sh*t?!'

 

Maybe that's how all restaurants should handle the situation.

[The Average Joe]

I never expect anything. And I hate to admit it because it makes me sound like a grumpy old man, but I don't like the singing of happy birthday by a bunch of strangers who generally don't give a crud. Although I think I was at a Macaroni Grill once when one of the servers who had an incredible voice sang in Italian. That was worthwhile.  I love the Dick's Last Resort story too...

[caligirlz]

 I think I was at a Macaroni Grill once when one of the servers who had an incredible voice sang in Italian. That was worthwhile. 

I agree, that's the one place were I don't mind the staff singing happy birthday. Thanks for reminding me. That's where were going for the next b-day.

[giacomo]

" Tanti auguri a te , tanti auguri a te, tanti auguri caro Joe, tanti auguri a te.    or you can say "Buon compleanno a te" either way works.   As for a free dessert, I choose to celebrate a birthday or anniversary at a specific restaurant, not because they might offer a free dessert, but because I like the place and hope the service and food are to my satisfaction.  Will I mention to the staff it's our anniversary or a birthday? no, but when making a reservation over the phone, the host or hostess frequently will ask if we are celebrating a special occasion and in that case I will say if we are or not. 

[TruthSeeker]

For kids maybe at the cheap chains.

 

For adults, no.

 

Big boys and girls (aka adults) can buy their own desserts - unless it's something special the restaurant decides to do - but to expect a free dessert is way too much.