Do you know the feeling when everyone in the family wants something different?
Dad is turning sixty. Mum says she wants something nice, but not too expensive. Your sister has two small children who can't sit still for more than thirty minutes. Your brother is vegetarian. Grandad won't eat fish; grandma eats nothing else. And you – you're the one who has to pull it all together.
Organising a family celebration at a restaurant isn't just about calling and saying "a table for twelve". It's a diplomatic mission: matching the tastes of three generations, getting people there from all over the city, finding a budget that offends no one – and creating an atmosphere everyone will remember fondly.
We handle all of this with families regularly. That's why we wrote this guide – not as an advert, but as practical advice that will help you whether you celebrate with us or anywhere else.
Step 1: Start with what worries you most
Most people start planning by looking for a restaurant. That's a mistake. Start with the problems that worry you most, because they determine what kind of restaurant you need.
Small children in the family? You need a place where they can move around, where spilled juice isn't a disaster and where the staff won't roll their eyes when a three-year-old asks for ketchup on everything. In summer we solve this simply – the terrace by the water gives children space and parents peace. The kids watch the boats while you finish your main course in peace.
Someone who has trouble walking? You need step-free access and parking as close to the entrance as possible. Here you can park right in front of the restaurant.
The organiser's biggest fear? That it will be awkward. That everyone will only talk about the weather. That grandad will leave after an hour. That the food will be late and everyone will get nervous. All of this can be avoided with good preparation – and a restaurant that knows how to look after groups.
Step 2: A reservation is more than "a table for twelve"
When you call or write to us, we don't just ask for the number of guests and the date. We'll also ask about things you may not have thought of, but which decide whether the afternoon will be relaxed or chaotic.
What's the occasion? A birthday, anniversary, graduation, christening, a family reunion? Each has its own dynamic. A birthday lunch for a sixty-year-old dad looks different from a graduation party.
How many children, and how old? That changes everything – from the seating (children at the end, close to the terrace door) to the order of service (children are served first).
Any allergies or diets? Gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian – we sort it all out in advance, not at the table over the menu.
Want a surprise? A cake, flowers, a gift on the table, a toast to start? Tell us. We know what works. Feel free to bring your own cake from your favourite bakery – we'll keep it safe and bring it out at the right moment.
Step 3: Choosing the space – a bigger decision than it seems
You have three options with us, and each suits something different.
The summer terrace is ideal from May to September. You sit by the water, children have room and the atmosphere is relaxed. The downside: if it starts to rain, we have to move you inside. That's why we always say – have a plan B. We have one too.
The main dining room is the classic choice for larger groups. It seats up to 16 people at one table and has a view of the reservoir. The weather doesn't matter here.
The private room offers privacy. If you want a space just for yourselves – for a toast, a short speech or giving a present – this is the right choice.
If you're not sure, describe what you have in mind and we'll advise you.
Step 4: Food – the biggest source of worry (and how to solve it)
This is where most organisers get stuck. How do you order for twelve people who all like different things?
Option one: everyone orders from the menu. This works for groups of up to eight. For larger groups it means a long ordering process and food that doesn't arrive for everyone at once.
Option two, which we recommend for groups of more than eight: agree a menu with us in advance. Together we'll choose three or four main courses (for example trout, chicken steak, duck and a vegetarian option), a shared soup and a dessert. You email the family, everyone picks, and on the day we know exactly what goes to whom.
The benefits are huge: the food arrives for everyone at once. Nobody waits, nobody looks enviously at their neighbour's plate. The price is clear in advance. And you, the organiser, have just one job on the day: enjoy it.
We have children's dishes and are happy to adjust portions from the main menu. We believe even a six-year-old can enjoy a good trout when it's properly prepared.
Step 5: On the day – what happens when you arrive
Come ten minutes early. Seriously. When the organiser arrives first, they can check the table, make sure the cake is in place and welcome guests as they arrive. There's nothing worse than twelve people meeting at the door with nobody knowing where their table is.
Our staff know about your celebration. They know how many of you there are, what you've ordered, whether there's a cake and when to bring it. You don't need to remind anyone.
If you've arranged a surprise – a cake with candles after the main course, say – just nod to the staff at the right moment. Or give us an exact timeline in advance and we'll stick to it.
Step 6: The pace of the meal – the secret nobody talks about
A good celebration has its own rhythm. When food arrives too quickly, people feel rushed. When it's too slow, they get restless – especially children and older guests.
That's why we agree the timing with you in advance. A typical family celebration looks like this:
12:00 – arrival, seating, first drinks and a toast. 12:20 – soup. 12:45 – main course (children are served first). 13:30 – a quieter phase: coffee, conversation, children playing. 14:00 – cake and a toast. 14:30–15:00 – free time; some leave, some stay for another coffee.
Two and a half to three hours in total. Enough for everyone to eat, talk and enjoy it – but not so long that the children start acting up and grandad nods off.
Of course we adapt the schedule – some families like to keep things moving, others want to take their time. Just tell us.
Step 7: Budget – how to avoid an unpleasant surprise
Money is often the most awkward part of planning. Who pays? Do we split it? Or does the organiser pay for everything without anyone knowing how much?
Our advice: agree a fixed-price menu per person with us in advance. Drinks are then charged separately – either together or individually.
That way you know the exact cost of the food before the celebration. No surprises when paying, no awkward calculations at the table.
You can pay by card or in cash, and we're happy to split the bill.
Step 8: What to do when things don't go to plan
Something always happens. Your aunt calls half an hour before the start to say three more people are coming. A little one breaks a glass. The guest of honour arrives an hour late after getting lost on the way from the tram.
Our advice: tell us. There's always a solution. More guests? We'll add a table. A broken glass? We have more. A squashed cake? We've dealt with that too.
The most important thing is that you – the organiser – can relax. That's our job, not yours.
Step 9: After the celebration – what people forget
A few things make the difference between "that was nice" and "that was the best afternoon in five years":
A group photo. It sounds obvious, but the whole family rarely gets together. Ask our staff – we'll gladly take a picture. The water and the reservoir make the perfect backdrop.
A thank-you. A small thing, but when the organiser hears "thanks for arranging this" from the guest of honour, it was all worth it.
Feedback for us. If you liked something or didn't, tell us. We want to get better, and every celebration teaches us something.
Why we do it differently
We've been by the reservoir for a long time and have hosted many family celebrations. We know it's not just about the food. It's about the feeling that someone is looking after you. That you can call and say "I need help with a party for fifteen" and hear "we'll sort it out".
That's why we offer full service before, during and after the celebration – from the first phone call to choosing the menu, preparing the table and serving the cake. You're a guest, not an event manager.
Start planning
If you have a family celebration coming up and want it to be stress-free, get in touch. Call 734 655 433 or fill in the reservation form on our website. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll take care of the rest.
Have a look at our menu to get an idea of what we offer. Or read about our history – family get-togethers by the water have a long tradition here.