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View Full Version : Opinions please...what would you do?

erinlovesmarc
07-19-2007, 02:23 PM
my hubby's 30th birthday is coming up and I want to plan a surprise bday party for him...I have a dilemma though...he ABSOLUTELY wants to go to this restaurant that we haven't been to and it's supposedly really good...that made it easy for me, I thought I would do it there...the thing is they only take reservations for less than 10 people...I have like 30 people at least to invite and at least 20 will come for sure...so I have a couple of options...what do you guys think?

a) go just us 2 and have a little party at home for family/friends (not supper since I don't have the space) - I was thinking wine and cheese and munchies...

b) go with friends to the resto and have the surprise there and have a quiet dinner at home for family

c) forget the resto and do the whole surprise party at home...

d) choose another resto and do the whole thing there...

I should also mention that the resto is quite pricey so that was why I thought it best just to invite friends to the resto....I already consulted with a few of them and they are fine with fact that it's pricey...my/his family would have a fit if we did it there....I could always do it at another resto but then DH would be really disappointed... I'm confused!
sneezles
07-19-2007, 02:27 PM
I'd have a couple of other make reservations for the same time.
jabelt
07-19-2007, 02:35 PM
I would do dinner with friends, and have a family party at home. Sometimes mixing family & friends is tricky - less of a comfort level involved. Plus with that many people, it's will be hard for your hubby to interact with all of them in a restaurant environment. Good luck!
bobmark226
07-19-2007, 02:37 PM
I'd want just a lovely, quiet dinner for two at a special place. Turning it into a party would spoil it for me.

Alternatively, choose another place for a group and save that one.

Bob
Meganator
07-19-2007, 02:39 PM
I wouldn't eliminate the option of going to that restaurant, since that is the thing he specifically said he wanted to do. But why don't you have the dinner at the restaurant and the surprise party on different nights? Also, unless the restaurant has a separate room that can accommodate a large party, I wouldn't have a big party there. The other people who came for a nice quiet, very expensive, dinner for two will be annoyed that there is a loud group seated next to them. And if you have 10+ people, you WILL be loud. I was part of an engagement party once at such a restaurant, and it was embarassing that people complained.
ChristyMarie
07-19-2007, 02:43 PM
How about an early dinner for two at the fave/new restaurant then come home for dessert and coffee with friends and family? You could have a trusted, close friend or family member be at the house and let people in, help set up, etc so that when you came home it would be a huge surprise to hubby.
funniegrrl
07-19-2007, 02:49 PM
resto?

I think large parties at restaurants are difficult, unless you're reserving a private room. They are difficult for the participants as well as the restaurant. I would do a dinner with just a few of you or a smaller select group, then do a big party with everyone.
Natasha
07-19-2007, 02:50 PM
I wouldn't eliminate the option of going to that restaurant, since that is the thing he specifically said he wanted to do. But why don't you have the dinner at the restaurant and the surprise party on different nights?

I agree with this suggestion. Sounds like a good way to have both festive occasions without rushing either :)

BTW, Erin, if you do try the restaurant and it lives up to the expectations, would you mind reporting back and telling us which one it was? I go to Montreal from time to time and would love to know! Thanks :D

Natasha
SugarNSpice
07-19-2007, 02:51 PM
I would have a romantic dinner for two at this restaurant since he really wants to go and have a separate get together on a different day with all the family and friends.

I would feel weird inviting only family or only friends to the restaurant as if one or the other are not deserving of a pricey meal or going out with the two of you.

If you have everyone over for a casual meal or just a get together then there would be no hurt feelings and your wallet wouldn't suffer as much.
jem927
07-19-2007, 03:07 PM
BTW, Erin, if you do try the restaurant and it lives up to the expectations, would you mind reporting back and telling us which one it was? I go to Montreal from time to time and would love to know! Thanks :D

Natasha

I second the request! I try to get to Montreal at least once a year, so a new restaurant suggestion is always welcomed.

Jamie
jem927
07-19-2007, 03:11 PM
Actually, can you tell us the name of the restaurant? One of us might have already been there and can give you recommendations.

Jamie
SheRa
07-19-2007, 03:27 PM
i say have a romantic dinner for 2 there by yourselves and convince him that it's all he's "getting" for his b-day. then have a surprise gathering the day after.
wallycat
07-19-2007, 03:32 PM
My DH hates parties and surprise parties even more. It would be a no-brainer for me....quiet dinner just the two of us at the restaurant he wants.

You guys can always party/celebrate the next day with friends at a different place.
Meganator
07-19-2007, 03:35 PM
My DH hates parties and surprise parties even more. It would be a no-brainer for me....quiet dinner just the two of us at the restaurant he wants.

You guys can always party/celebrate the next day with friends at a different place.

That's another consideration - you DO know that he would like a surprise party, right? Otherwise, don't do it. I have forbidden my DH to ever throw me a surprise party.
Canice
07-19-2007, 04:43 PM
Assuming he'd think a surprise party was great fun, I'd probably do that in advance and then have dinner in the restaurant on the actual day - otherwise an announced wine and cheese one evening, then dinner on his b-day.

Depending on the restaurant, he may have been thinking of it as a "date" destination, and then there's the question of "inviting" people to a dinner but asking them to pay their own way (unless you planned to pick up the tab). I don't find sit-down dinners as much enjoyable as milling about when it's a larger group -for a number of reasons- but obviously that's just a personal preference.
tennisashoe
07-19-2007, 07:34 PM
How about an early dinner for two at the fave/new restaurant then come home for dessert and coffee with friends and family? You could have a trusted, close friend or family member be at the house and let people in, help set up, etc so that when you came home it would be a huge surprise to hubby.

I second this suggestion.:) Did it for a friend recently and he loved it. The funny thing is that he didn't realize we were hiding in the lower level and was complaining about something on the way down the steps yada yada yada that darn so and so and hey, what's all this stuff down here . . . SURPRISE!

Classic.
TKay
07-19-2007, 08:10 PM
I second this suggestion.:) Did it for a friend recently and he loved it. The funny thing is that he didn't realize we were hiding in the lower level and was complaining about something on the way down the steps yada yada yada that darn so and so and hey, what's all this stuff down here . . . SURPRISE!

Classic.

This is what occured to me also. Good luck and happy planning!