176156 Wed Nov 16 08:55:31 -0800 2005 10 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 947415 Almost any restaurant is willing to stick a candle into one of their desserts and present it accompanied by a birthday serenade from the Waitron Chorale, but back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, one of the favorite marketing gimmicks was the Birthday Special - a complimentary item off the menu, a special dish, or perhaps even a special dinner, available upon proof of the day being the diner's birthday. On the whole, it was a good marketing ploy. The celebrant usually brought others along, any given person could only cash in once a year (but would see the signs or ads offering the deal year-round, and think good thoughts about the place), and it gave the air of generosity and celebration at a fairly minimal cost to the establishment. Does anyplace still do this sort of thing? And yes, an impending natal anniversary (not saying whose) prompts the question. Thanks! Wed Nov 16 08:55:31 -0800 2005 0 Warthog 1 947416 Dennys? Wed Nov 16 09:05:46 -0800 2005 947415 0 Hon 1 947420 Some larger restaurants (mostly chains) have an e-mail list and ask you to provide some personal information (i.e. birthday) when you sign up and will send you a redeemable message around your birthday. In reviewing my old e-mail from around this past birthday, here's what I found: Austin Grill: "We would like to treat you to any entrée on the menu. Bring this certificate into any Austin Grill to redeem your gift." Famous Dave's not-very-specific offer: "I'll give you a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY GIFT maybe a piece of birthday cake, an appetizer, some ribs, or even an All-American Feast!" I also got something from Red, Hot & Blue (I think it was a free entree), but I deleted it. In short, if you don't mind getting e-mail from them every month or so, visit your favorite restaurants' websites and sign yourself up for their e-mail lists. Some send out discounts and deals on a regular basis (not just your birthday), some will just e-mail you to let you know that they're still in business. Wed Nov 16 10:18:45 -0800 2005 947415 0 Eric 2 947435 Famous Dave's is one to avoid. It's up to the manager's discretion to pick whatever you get. The coupon says maybe an appetizer, maybe a free meal for your party (or something like that) Why would it ever NOT be an appetizer? Combine that mystery with the food quality and there's got to be a better place to spend your birthday. Wed Nov 16 12:31:24 -0800 2005 947420 0 Dave 1 947421 vaccarros?sp. Wed Nov 16 10:20:14 -0800 2005 947415 0 cheesey 1 947423 If you sign up at Chameleon Cafe, they will send you a birthday card good for a free entree in the 2 weeks around your birthday. A great, friendly place with great food. Wed Nov 16 11:25:35 -0800 2005 947415 0 ko 1 947427 J. Gilberts steakhouse in McLean does. Though I'm not sure if you have to have signed up for the "points for dollars" program. That may be why we get a card offering a free entree during our birthday months. Though if so, still a great deal, no cost for signing up, just use the same credit card each time you pay and you rack up points that are redeemable anytime. So two good bonuses out of it. AND, most importantly they have great steaks, that get this, actually include side dishes!! What a concept. So overall a much better value than the Mortons' and Capital Grille's of suburbia. And I love the ambience, exposed beams, fireplaces, with goreous black and white photos of local scenes/landscapes. Wed Nov 16 11:50:45 -0800 2005 947415 0 Meg 2 947450 That's a pretty good deal. I got a coupon via e-mail from Red Hot and Blue for a free dessert on my birthday. I recall seeing that "club" thing at J. Gilbert's (I usually join them) but at the time it cost ten bucks and I don't eat there often enough for it to be worth the outlay. I know, I know, they expect you to eat there more frequently once you've invested, but I didn't bite. If it's now free, maybe I'll sign up next time I'm there. Wed Nov 16 15:31:38 -0800 2005 947427 0 Mike 1 947428 I'm on Jaleo's mailing list and got a birthday offer for a "special gift" with the purchase of a meal. Have yet to take them up on the offer though so I don't know how special it is. Wed Nov 16 11:54:45 -0800 2005 947415 0 shellymck 2 947436 I took them up on their offer this year and was given a box of chocolate covered figs. They weren't bad but I probably would've preferred some kind of food discount. Wed Nov 16 12:35:55 -0800 2005 947428 0 Dave 1 947442 Colvin Run used to give a take-home gift of a coffee mug filled with cookies, along with a specially printed birthday menu. Wed Nov 16 13:58:59 -0800 2005 947415 0 kari