FOOD & DRINKHOW TO PLAN THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY MEAL

Birthday Meal Planning Made Easy

Has planning the big family birthday meal fallen to you? With so many restaurants for birthdays out there, it is sometimes hard to know where to start. Or maybe, you just want to organise a low-key but special dinner for your best friend’s birthday? Whoever the birthday meal is for, we like to think we have you covered on this particular issue. Read on to find out what we think goes into planning a truly memorable birthday meal.

Who?

Let’s start with WHO the celebration is for and what VIBE you want to create. When deciding on restaurants for birthdays, you need to consider casual vs formal and what the birthday person actually wants. Restaurants for celebrations should be all about social connection, with the venue matching the mood – whether that’s a cosy dinner for two, a long lazy lunch or a big dinner party atmosphere. Soft furnishings can help with noise levels and private rooms can add that extra sparkle to a special occasion. With many of our restaurants offering a private dining space, ASK Italian makes for an ideal choice for your birthday celebration.

The Location

When searching for ‘restaurants for birthdays’, the LOCATION is key. Ideally you want the restaurant to be central and easy to get to for everyone. Think about parking options, public transport links or if the venue will organise a taxi for you, so you don’t have to. You want everyone in your group to arrive with ease – giving special consideration to older relatives and families with little ones. Each of our 66 restaurants are centrally located in either cities, high streets or town centres and so finding us should never be problem – but we’re always on hand to help with directions. Just call one of our friendly team or pop online to use our handy interactive map.

The Menu

This is where birthdays can go right or very, very wrong. Variety is a must when looking for where to go for a birthday dinner. If you’re dining as a group, you want the menu to cater to every taste and intolerance. Our seasonally-inspired menu is bursting with flavour that promises to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Remember, it is always worth giving the menu a quick scan before you book – checking for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, paying special attention to anyone in your group with allergies. Oh, and remember to check that whoever is celebrating their birthday actually likes the cuisine too!

FLEXIBILITY

This is a key ingredient when it comes to booking restaurants for birthdays. Choose a restaurant that can flex to the occasion and you will be in for a special time. Check if you can take along your own birthday cake and decs or maybe the restaurant can take care of that for you. If you’ve booked a private room, you might even be able to have your own playlist on. Details such as these can make all the difference when it comes to planning where to go for a birthday dinner.

Book early

Booking early is important especially if your group is more than six. Popular venues book up fast, especially at the weekends. The best restaurants for celebrations are the ones where you don’t feel rushed – so remember to ask at the time of booking how long you can keep the table for. You don’t want your birthday celebration to come to an abrupt end when the fizz is still flowing.

Service

When planning where to go for a birthday dinner choose a restaurant where the SERVICE is second to none. You want to be guaranteed of a warm welcome and genuine goodbye with excellent hosting in between. A restaurant that loves a celebration is ideal, with a team that will go the extra mile in making it feel truly special. If you’re celebrating your own birthday with us, remember to download the ASK Perks APP to be in for a birthday treat, because what's a birthday without a present?