Restaurant apologises after deeply 'offensive' message to woman in wheelchair

A restaurant in New Jersey has issued an apology for its ‘unfortunate mistake’ after it delivered an ‘offensive’ birthday message to a diner.

On 20 June, Blu on the Hudson in Weehawken hosted Antonia Sinibaldi, a quadriplegic customer who was celebrating her 29th birthday, as reported by CBS News.

The singer-songwriter, who uses a wheelchair, was at the waterfront eatery with her friends and family who organised for a special birthday plate to be delivered to their table.

However, when the plate arrived, Sinibaldi was ‘taken by surprise’ to see that staff had used the opportunity to reference the motorised wheelchair and ventilator she relied on

‘Happy Birthday’ was written in cursive on the white plate. Beside it was the phrase ‘Wheelchair’.

The woman, who was diagnosed with a cervical spinal injury following a car crash involving a drunk driver when she was 2 years old, claimed her party was stunned by the message.

Antonia Sinibaldi received an apology after she was given an 'offensive' message at an eatery (WCBS/CBS NEWSPATH)

“My family's angry, my friends are angrier, but me, I'm just baffled by it,” she informed the outlet.

When confronted, the restaurant management team initially offered her drinks, as per the report.

“He offered to send me more drinks, more drinks, more drinks,” she said. “What good will that do?

“Don’t bring my disability [up] in every sentence, is what people, they should know.”

Restaurant issues an apology for ‘offensive’ birthday message

Blu on the Hudson later issued an apology, claiming the word ‘wheelchair’ had been entered as a reference to help staff identify where the birthday dessert was supposed to be delivered.

The business alleged that the notion had been mistakenly interpreted by the team and, believing it was part of the message, wrote the word on the plate.

Blu on the Hudson said its team has 'revisited' how requests are made (WCBS/CBS NEWSPATH)

A spokesperson for the company told People Magazine that the incident was unintentional and not meant to be offensive.

“We at Blu on the Hudson are aware of the recent video circulating on social media, and we are deeply saddened by what occurred.

“We sincerely apologize to the guest and to everyone who was hurt or offended by this incident, which took place on June 20, 2026,” they continued, explaining that ‘every guest’ should be treated ‘with dignity, respect, and care.’

The team said that its ‘standard operating procedure is to use table and seat numbers on tickets to identify where each dish should be delivered’.

However, in this instance, the word ‘wheelchair’ was used ‘as a reference to identify where a birthday dessert with a candle should be delivered’.

The world 'wheelchair' was apparently used as a 'reference to identify' who would get the item (CBS New York/YouTube)

“Unfortunately, that notation was misunderstood and was written on the plate itself. There was absolutely no malicious or disrespectful intent behind the notation,” the spokesperson alleged.

“We fully understand how seeing that word written on a plate could be deeply hurtful and upsetting.”

The group said its team has revisited the ‘importance of following proper ticketing and communication procedures'.

It also vowed not to allow a mistake like that to happen again, as per the publication.

The spokesperson added that management has attempted to reach out to Sinibaldi, but has been unsuccessful.

FOODbible has contacted Blu Hospitality Group for comment.