Restaurant tried to kill me just now!

Witchie

Had a bad day so decided to get myself some takeout from the local Italian restaurant. They had Macaroni Cheese advertised in the window as part of their lunch menu so I decided to ask if they did it in the evening as take away. Was told that was no problem so ordered it as it is my go to comfort food.

Paid €8.50 for a smallish tray of it and headed home. Opened it and saw lovely melted cheese on top and what I thought was a kinda tomato sauce. Thought that was strange but as was starving took a forkful and proceeded to chew.

Luckily, just before I swallowed I copped it was pesto through it, not a normal tomato sauce. Big deal you may say. I have a nut allergy that includes pine nuts which are used in pesto.

Never in my life have I seen a Mac and cheese with pesto in it. Luckily am not in a full blown attack coz managed to spit it out and rinse my mouth quickly but my lips are swollen, my heart is racing and I am shaking.

Rang the restaurant to clarify and ask why their was pesto in the mac and cheese and the server who answered the phone barely spoke to me. When I asked to talk to the chef he said "she is too busy" I hung up furious.

Have you almost been killed by food before? Should I do something like a bad review online? I am just in shock here. Do you usually put pesto in your mac and cheese?

If you don't hear from me later I might be in hospital. :mad:

Mikros

If I had a food allergy that severe I'd probably be casually mentioning to the waiter/server every time I ordered - just in case. Maybe that's just me though...

Cookie_Monster

? how is it their fault you didn't check?

Stheno

Mikros wrote: »

If I had a food allergy that severe I'd probably be casually mentioning to the waiter/server every time I ordered - just in case. Maybe that's just me though...

Me too

cloud493

Did the menu mention anything about allergies in food and stuff?

iMac_Hunt

Mikros wrote: »

If I had a food allergy that severe I'd probably be casually mentioning to the waiter/server every time I ordered - just in case. Maybe that's just me though...

I didn't want to be the one to say it so I just thanked you for saying it!

YouTookMyName

Where you living? I'm staved and would polish off that mac & cheese no bother.

ColeTrain

If you have a condition that serious, you shouldn't just presume something doesn't have nuts when you're eating out!

The Moldy Gowl

So your ignorance is their fault ?

dee_mc

I wonder if you'd ordered from a written menu would there have been a 'contains nuts' icon?
If I had a nut allergy I'd mention it as a matter of course when ordering over the phone without a menu for guidance, but that's just me.

My name is URL

Mac & Cheese will kill you anyway... just more slowly

The Moldy Gowl

I despise vegatables. If I'm ordering food like a curry I ask for no veg. Do I get mad when they include it?

dmc17

Witchie wrote: »

If you don't hear from me later I might be in hospital. :mad:

If you don't hear from me later, I might be in bed!

Witchie

Mikros wrote: »

If I had a food allergy that severe I'd probably be casually mentioning to the waiter/server every time I ordered - just in case. Maybe that's just me though...

This allergy has just developed in the past few months out of nowhere and I am still getting used to doing that. I usually do, in fact I always do and not casually! I always list what am allergic to and get them to check and check again.

I think I was a bit distracted being upsetting news I had today and just never in a million years thought that there would be pesto or any kinda nuts in mac and cheese!

I know it is a bit my fault, my allergies my responsibility, but I think am more in shock that anyone would put pesto in mac and cheese than anything else!

nibtrix

It is strange that they used pesto in Mac and cheese, but if you have such a serious nut allergy do you not check to make sure when buying food in a restaurant? Some places do their own twist on "classic" recipes all the time.

With regard to the person on the phone, that was poor form but what were you expecting the chef to tell you? I'm sure they put pesto in the Mac and cheese because they thought it would taste nice. You should phone again, ask to speak to the manager, tell them that they should warn people when including nuts in a recipe that wouldn't normally have nuts, and then forget about it.

Stheno

Witchie wrote: »

This allergy has just developed in the past few months out of nowhere and I am still getting used to doing that. I usually do, in fact I always do and not casually! I always list what am allergic to and get them to check and check again.

I think I was a bit distracted being upsetting news I had today and just never in a million years thought that there would be pesto or any kinda nuts in mac and cheese!

I know it is a bit my fault, my allergies my responsibility, but I think am more in shock that anyone would put pesto in mac and cheese than anything else!

Do you have one of those allergy pens that you can use to lessen an attack?

DoozerT6

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

I despise vegatables. If I'm ordering food like a curry I ask for no veg. Do I get mad when they include it?

Not QUITE the same thing........

The Peanut

My brother has a nut allergy. He never gets takeaway as there is no guaranteed that cooking utensils are not used for common dishes.

The Moldy Gowl

DoozerT6 wrote: »

Not QUITE the same thing........

Vegatables are poisonous to me

DeadHand

Misleading thread title.

Should be: "I almost got myself killed just now!".

Jawgap

You should've mentioned it when ordering. Even if there wasn't nuts in the dish residues can be transferred through knives, chopping boards etc and the restaurant could've advised you.

DoozerT6

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

Vegatables are poisonous to me

Will they send you into anaphylactic shock and potentially kill you??

Witchie

nibtrix wrote: »

It is strange that they used pesto in Mac and cheese, but if you have such a serious nut allergy do you not check to make sure when buying food in a restaurant? Some places do their own twist on "classic" recipes all the time.

With regard to the person on the phone, that was poor form but what were you expecting the chef to tell you? I'm sure they put pesto in the Mac and cheese because they thought it would taste nice. You should phone again, ask to speak to the manager, tell them that they should warn people when including nuts in a recipe that wouldn't normally have nuts, and then forget about it.

I wanted to check with the chef that it was indeed a full on pesto with pine nuts so that I could know how my evening was going to pan out but as my lips are swollen, whatever was in it, I am allergic anyway. Thankfully I have like a slow motion version of anaphylaxis known as agiodema so I have time to get myself sorted.


I do always check but this one time that I took my eye off the ball........ agggh! Angry at myself.

Summer wind

Maybe you should see your doctor and get some antihistamine tablets. I know they are good for allergic reactions. Or maybe if your allergy is that bad you could get an epi-pen. You never know when you may need it.

KERSPLAT!

Why would you write a bad review or even complain!? It's your responsibility to check.

Now if you asked for no pesto and still got it, then I'd be complaining and writing bad reviews, before I kicked the bucket, but I would lay zero blame on the restaurant here

percy212

Bit of a fright alright OP. Just shows you can never be too careful when you have a serious allergy. The main thing is you are ok! If you are in any doubt at all go to your local emergency room. Be well.

The Moldy Gowl

DoozerT6 wrote: »

Will they send you into anaphylactic shock and potentially kill you??

One pea will send me into the bog for 4 days

dee_mc

I love how OP has quickly gone from 'they tried to kill me!!!!! how very dare they not anticipate that I have an allergy!!!!' to 'I'm angry at myself' based on the replies to this thread

suicide_circus

You should sue them



FOR 100 BILLION DOLLARS

Witchie

Stheno wrote: »

Do you have one of those allergy pens that you can use to lessen an attack?

Summer wind wrote: »

Maybe you should see your doctor and get some antihistamine tablets. I know they are good for allergic reactions. Or maybe if your allergy is that bad you could get an epi-pen. You never know when you may need it.

I have a pen but if I need to use it I need to call an ambulance. I have taken my antihistamines and hopefully that will be enough since I didn't swallow any of it.

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Why would you write a bad review or even complain!? It's your responsibility to check.

Now if you asked for no pesto and still got it, then I'd be complaining and writing bad reviews, before I kicked the bucket, but I would lay zero blame on the restaurant here

Coz mac and cheese shouldn't have pesto in it! My complaint would be that it is sh*te food.

My nearest emergency room is 45 mins away and if I get worse it will be a journey taken by ambulance, but I think I will be ok now. Just annoyed at myself more than anything.

gnag

You'll be glad to know that there are new regulations coming in to force in the next few weeks which means ANY ingredient that is considered an allergen must be listed on the product. So this will be a lot less likely to happen to you in the future.

dmc17

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

One pea will send me into the bog for 4 days

You should try pea soup. It doesn't actually contain any vegetables despite the name....

Witchie

dee_mc wrote: »

I love how OP has quickly gone from 'they tried to kill me!!!!! how very dare they not anticipate that I have an allergy!!!!' to 'I'm angry at myself' based on the replies to this thread

No I was angry at myself from the get go but just had to get me rant out first!

MadsL

I think people are a bit quick to jump on the OP here. In fact, the restaurant would have a very serious case to answer as new legislation comes into force in 12 days time. This will require food businesses providing non-prepacked food e.g. restaurants, delis, canteens, takeaways, cafes, retail outlets etc., to indicate to consumers the use of any of the 14 listed allergenic ingredients in the production or preparation of food.

More info here.
https://www.fsai.ie/faq/allergens.html

I would suggest to the OP that s/he print the information leaflet and go and have a serious word with the owner about their future responsibilities.

Karpackie

Good mac and cheese is a fantastic meal. Anything where you mix melted cheese with stodgy carbs will always be good. Goes really well with beer.

Witchie

MadsL wrote: »

I think people are a bit quick to jump on the OP here. In fact, the restaurant would have a very serious case to answer as new legislation comes into force in 12 days time. This will require food businesses providing non-prepacked food e.g. restaurants, delis, canteens, takeaways, cafes, retail outlets etc., to indicate to consumers the use of any of the 14 listed allergenic ingredients in the production or preparation of food.

More info here.
https://www.fsai.ie/faq/allergens.html

I would suggest to the OP that s/he print the information leaflet and go and have a serious word with the owner about their future responsibilities.

Am glad to see this happening but it really is up to me to make sure when ordering. I have done this everywhere else but just thought a simple mac and cheese would be safe. Lesson bloody well learned.

Actually just looked at that list and it is missing one of the things I am most allergic to.....coconut!

Oops69

If you're lips are swollen and heart racing you should be seeking medical attention immediately rather than posting here!

Stheno

MadsL wrote: »

I think people are a bit quick to jump on the OP here. In fact, the restaurant would have a very serious case to answer as new legislation comes into force in 12 days time. This will require food businesses providing non-prepacked food e.g. restaurants, delis, canteens, takeaways, cafes, retail outlets etc., to indicate to consumers the use of any of the 14 listed allergenic ingredients in the production or preparation of food.

More info here.
https://www.fsai.ie/faq/allergens.html

I would suggest to the OP that s/he print the information leaflet and go and have a serious word with the owner about their future responsibilities.

From the very site you linked to:

Are pine nuts considered as allergens?

No. Pine nuts are not considered as being part of the category ‘peanuts and products thereof’ and so will not have to be listed as an allergen. However, when used in a food product, pine nuts will have to be labelled in the list of ingredients.

Del.Monte

If you had been hit by a bus on the way home would you have gone on Boards to complain about CIE before going to A+E?

Witchie

Karpackie wrote: »

Good mac and cheese is a fantastic meal. Anything where you mix melted cheese with stodgy carbs will always be good. Goes really well with beer.

It's my go to comfort food.

harney

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

One pea will send me into the bog for 4 days

Some bladder on that man!

Does pesto have nuts in it??

oh it has pine nuts. didn't know

kylith

In fairness to the OP I have never in my life come across man n cheese made with pesto.

mountsky

Witchie wrote: »

Had a bad day so decided to get myself some takeout from the local Italian restaurant. They had Macaroni Cheese advertised in the window as part of their lunch menu so I decided to ask if they did it in the evening as take away. Was told that was no problem so ordered it as it is my go to comfort food.

Paid €8.50 for a smallish tray of it and headed home. Opened it and saw lovely melted cheese on top and what I thought was a kinda tomato sauce. Thought that was strange but as was starving took a forkful and proceeded to chew.

Luckily, just before I swallowed I copped it was pesto through it, not a normal tomato sauce. Big deal you may say. I have a nut allergy that includes pine nuts which are used in pesto.

Never in my life have I seen a Mac and cheese with pesto in it. Luckily am not in a full blown attack coz managed to spit it out and rinse my mouth quickly but my lips are swollen, my heart is racing and I am shaking.

Rang the restaurant to clarify and ask why their was pesto in the mac and cheese and the server who answered the phone barely spoke to me. When I asked to talk to the chef he said "she is too busy" I hung up furious.

Have you almost been killed by food before? Should I do something like a bad review online? I am just in shock here. Do you usually put pesto in your mac and cheese?

If you don't hear from me later I might be in hospital. :mad:

A&E might be an idea!

Karpackie

Witchie wrote: »

It's my go to comfort food.

See also: pizza, cheese on toast, cheese chips, garlic and cheese chips, baked potato with melted cheese, fondue.

Witchie

Oops69 wrote: »

If you're lips are swollen and heart racing you should be seeking medical attention immediately rather than posting here!

Del.Monte wrote: »

If you had been hit by a bus on the way home would you have gone on Boards to complain about CIE before going to A+E?

Am lucky in that I have time from when I start to feel the effects until I am in trouble and it seems to be easing now coz as I said I spat it out and rinsed my mouth out immediately so am just having a mild reaction.

My lips swell from time to time coz there are obviously other things I am allergic to but they don't have a clue what and I usually come out of it ok.

Senna

MadsL wrote: »

I think people are a bit quick to jump on the OP here. In fact, the restaurant would have a very serious case to answer as new legislation comes into force in 12 days time. This will require food businesses providing non-prepacked food e.g. restaurants, delis, canteens, takeaways, cafes, retail outlets etc., to indicate to consumers the use of any of the 14 listed allergenic ingredients in the production or preparation of food.

More info here.
https://www.fsai.ie/faq/allergens.html

I would suggest to the OP that s/he print the information leaflet and go and have a serious word with the owner about their future responsibilities.

The new legislation will have no bearing. The premises must have the ingredients listed if the customer asked or they say they have an allergy. The menu doesn't require the ingredients listed.

So still the OP fault for knowing they have an allergy and assuming the food doesnt contain nuts, not the restaurants responsibility.

Archeron

Witchie wrote: »

Have you almost been killed by food before?

Somebody once threw a pineapple at me, but I caught it. They are surpringly sharp.

Tigger

Karpackie wrote: »

Good mac and cheese is a fantastic meal. Anything where you mix melted cheese with stodgy carbs will always be good. Goes really well with beer.

and pesto

Tigger

Senna wrote: »

The new legislation will have no bearing. The premises must have the ingredients listed if the customer asked or they say they have an allergy. The menu doesn't require the ingredients listed.

So still the OP fault for knowing they have an allergy and assuming the food doesnt contain nuts, not the restaurants responsibility.

also no pine nuts on that list

Senna

Tigger wrote: »

also no pine nuts on that list

I think that would be covered by "nuts", so any nut at all have to be listed