Within the first three posts, the OP said she was going to the one in Cheltenham. There was simply no need for reams of posts telling her that it wasn't The Ivy, that it just a common or garden high street chain, that you take your toddlers there because it's so ordinary.
You see, that's your own projection. Someone who hasn't been to an Ivy chain restaurant, was wondering how dressy it was. And the first few pages (bar a couple of posters) are people saying either smart casual/jeans/not dressy. People who had been, told her their experience.
None of that was necessary to answer her question of what to wear.
Well, yes it was. She wanted to know how dressy it was in order to select an outfit.
The only reason any of that was said was to put the OP down and make her feel small and that what she was viewing as a special treat was a boring run of the mill experience and not remotely anything to be excited about.
What a bizarre projection. Something can only be "special" if you're all dressed up. Not one person tried to put OP down, or imply that her daughter's birthday was run of the mill. Yet this has been invented and then the entire topic for some. Some called it "fun" agreed it was "nice food" and clearly use the chain restaurants themselves, so hardly "think they're above it." Quite simply, as one PP said, there was entirely no need to worry or try and plan a fancy outfit on the restaurant's behalf. "Non existent dress code" I think she said.
Shame on the lot of you.
For doing none of what they have been accused of? I'd be grateful for the heads up not to go overboard with my outfit, that most posters have provided.