I think you totally could replicate these experiences without the restaurant involved. Fun surprises are nice, but the absurdity of having the restaurant provide these kinds of experiences seems tacky.

I don't think I'm alone in wanting the restaurant's personality to be just as much a part of the experience as my own personality. Otherwise, what makes this place more special than any other wanting to pull the same gimmicks?

Sure. A hotel could leave you a special gift if they knew it was your anniversary.

And people would be thrilled by the customer experience their service created.

> I think you totally could replicate these experiences without the restaurant involved

How? Like another sort of establishment that's not a restaurant?

A baby penguin is not service --- it has no impact on their 2 star rating.

Unless they are on the menu, penguins have no part in the restaurant's mission. It is simple pandering to those who psychologically crave attention. It is put forth as a substitute for the lack of better product and service.

If it's a person who wants to personally make my experience better, sure, yay.

If it's a manager who wants to use AI to maximize my engagement, fuck that.