Having a birthday dinner can be a great way to gather the people you care about for some good food and will help your birthday to be one to remember. If you love Chinese food, a Chinese restaurant could be a great option, especially as it has a fun communal vibe and sharing of side dishes is encouraged. This short guide explains three things you should do when choosing a Chinese restaurant for your birthday dinner.

Look At Some Reviews

Reading a selection of reviews will allow you to get an idea of what a specific Chinese restaurant is like, and will help you to figure out if a place isn't right for your birthday meal. However, as Reader's Digest explains, not all reviews are equal: if TripAdvisor or Yelp reviews are mixed, but influencers' Instagram snaps all seem very complimentary, you should feel wary. They also explain some other red flags reviewers might mention, such as dirty bathrooms and indifferent waiters. Look at pictures. Does the food look good? Does the atmosphere look appealing? By doing this, you can pinpoint a few good places and disregard some bad ones.

Think About The Vibe You Want

A place might have great food and reviews, but still not be right for your event. Think carefully about the vibe you want for your birthday dinner. Do you want a loud, fun atmosphere, or would you prefer a more traditional atmosphere with cloth tablecloths, a great wine list and gentle background music? Chinese restaurants vary wildly in atmosphere and theme, and you're sure to be able to find what you're looking for. As My Domaine suggests, you should also look at the actual setup of the restaurant and decide what you want. In some places, you will be able to book a side room for added privacy, and in some, you will be at a large, communal table. Whatever you want, spend some time looking around and finding a place that offers it.

Consider Your Guests' Needs

Finally, you should think about the individual needs of your guests. For example, if there are children attending, check whether there's a good kids' menu. If you have a friend or relative who doesn't like Chinese food, you might be able to find somewhere with a few other dishes on the menu. Another big consideration is allergies: it's important to find out if a restaurant caters to everyone's dietary needs. Chinese food often contains allergens you might not have thought of — for example, the UK Food Standards Agency explains that a bowl of simple fried rice can contain soya, wheat, sesame, nuts and more.

If you do your research, consider your guests as individuals and choose somewhere that suits your group perfectly, you can make sure your dinner is an incredible experience for you and your guests.

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