Friday, December 12,2014 STANDARD EXAMINER HOLIDAY DINING Eating out on birthdays Restaurants happy to help Utahns celebrate special occasions By RACHEL TROTTER Standard-Examiner correspondent OGDEN — People love to celebrate birthdays by dining out, and restaurants often help the celebration along in different ways. It's not uncommon to get a free birthday dessert or even a free birthday meal on the big day. Often,' restaurant servers add to the celebration by singing a special birthday song or having patrons do something special. "At Texas Roadhouse they make you sit on a saddle and yell to get everyone in the place to yell 'yee- haw,' " said Clearfield resident Megan Craig. At Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill, the staff also likes to let everyone in the restaurant know whose birthday it is. "They put a huge sombrero on your head and sing very loudly — it's awesome!" said Hooper resident Michele Thompson. Sandra Cottam, whose family owns Bella s, said the sombrero tradition is a popular one. "We want them to feel like it's a celebration and make them feel special," Cottam said. "Plus, it tends to bring people back, and many choose to come here because they like the silly hat." A free fried ice cream is also served up to guests, pm «f.'■■*" mmm _hu--—-"**'— 5 Bh^^v „ m\ m^mW^^mt' ;-**^* •. ' r wF iAKkl wr ^Fm is" i ' "*";*- WTm 1 V ■;> i* .'--:j -^ 1 *awlljM! —-«J ' k\ m, ^m* *"■»- 3cl mi Courtesy photo Max Gardner (left) and Jameson Barrett celebrate birthdays at Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill with candles and big hats. along with a special birthday rendition of "La Cu- caracha." Bella's owner Joe Cottam said the restaurant often books large groups for birthdays and can accommodate 25 or more if needed, so celebrations can be big. At Rovali's, dessert is a big deal, so when a birthday person comes in, he or she gets the signature can- noli. "We offer our birthday person a homemade can- noli, which we feel is better than anywhere in the East (Coast)," said Ravoli's owner Alex Montanez. "I haven't had anybody contradict me yet." Montanez loves it when people come in to celebrate birthdays at his restaurant on 25th Street in Ogden, so servers try to make patrons feel special. He often asks when people are seated if they are celebrating a special occasion, so they can be treated according to how they are celebrating. "We always tell them to save room for dessert if they have a birthday," he said. And instead of singing a traditional birthday song, Montanez does something a little different. "I know it's corny, but I tell them, 'I don't sing, but I can dance,' and I bust a break dance for them," Montanez said. Jackie Coahran saya Rovali's is best for birthdays. "They have amazing desserts." Another popular trend is to have restaurant patrons sign up with an email, and then the restaurant will send a special birthday coupon. Union Grill, Roosters and Sonora Grill have found success with the birthday email program. At Union Grill and Roosters, employees send a postcard offering a free meal during the birthday week, plus patrons also get a free dessert, said Union Grill manager Tiffany Storey. "It's a good way to reward our loyal customers," Storey said. The same is true at Sonora Grill. "Sonora Grill in Ogden gives a free entree on your birthday. And if you want a well-made, unique dessert, they have several. I love their flan," Ogden resident Ricky Hatch said.