Let's party

[mrdutton]

Actually the restaurant thing is not such a bad idea. Here is one way of doing it:

Take him out to dinner for his birthday. Make sure the place has a party room that is separate from the main dining area.

Have all the surprise party guests already staged in the private room.

You and your husband take a seat in the dining room. Pre-arrange with the waiter or owner or whatever, to have a staff member come to your table and say that so-and-so at another table would really appreciate your visiting with them for a minute or two.

Take him back to the private room: SURPRISE!

Worked for my Father's 75th Surprise Birthday party. Might work for your husband's 30th.