Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the place is out of your budget I think you can say that (it's family!) but if it's more that the parking is annoying and the restaurant is inconvenient I would suck it up.

Agree with this. Parking is bad? You've clearly never tried to park in NYC - you circle a few blocks for 20 minutes to find a spot that's a half mile away from the restaurant. Totally normal.

Oh you've got a migraine? Well try getting your nose chopped off!

Just suggest some alternative places. But make sure they are convenient for the person you're treating, not just you.

I'd take a parent or grandparent where they want to go. I'd ask a sibling to pick something else.

I'm guessing they plan to pay and your presence is their present. I'm guessing it's a grandparent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's too pricey, leave the non-family spouse home. Then it's dinner for 2 instead of 3.

Are you and birthday person coming from different areas that you can tell them to meet you there so they have the share the headache of the location?

OP here. They want us all there, including our (older elementary) kids!

Tell them it's not in your budget to take the whole family to dinner at Restaurant X, but you can treat them to an adult night out at X or a whole-family dinner at Y or Z, their choice.

I understand you have other objections besides the price, but if you complain about the parking situation or dress code you will just sound fussy.