Flying Fish with shellfish allergy?

[bangzoom6877]

We would like to try Flying Fish on our next trip. We decided to do 2 signatures again, in addition to the Fantasmic! dining package at Brown Derby. Last time we went to California Grill and Yachtsman Steakhouse, first time going to signatures (unless you count CRT but I think of that more as a character meal). We will return to Yachtsman, since we all loved it (my son's favorite food is steak), but want to try another signature we have not yet experienced.

My son is allergic to shellfish (he will be 9 when we go), specifically shrimp, lobster and crab. During his allergy tests, he tested negative for clams and mussels, as well as tuna, salmon and cod. His allergy seems concentrated to crustaceans. In 2010, we attempted to eat at Cape May Cafe because back then, to our knowledge his allergy was only upon ingestion. However, when we walked in there was steam all over from the crab legs being steamed, and he had an immediate reaction from breathing in the steam (mild reaction, thank goodness). Of course Disney handled this very well, and within minutes after we walked back to the lobby his reaction cleared right up and he was fine.

I notice on Flying Fish's menu, there are not too many items with shellfish in them. He can eat at restaurants that serve shellfish (he has many times and has done just fine), he just cannot breathe in the steam directly, like what happened at Cape May Cafe. Again, this is for shrimp, lobster and crab. I'd appreciate any info from people who have experienced this restaurant with shellfish allergies. If we cannot go there, we would go to a different signature.

Any recommendations for other signatures (other than Cali Grill, Yachtsman or HBD) if we decide not to go to Flying Fish? We will be staying at BWV and we will have the car with us, so any resort is fine. We're not going to use any of the dining plans (using TIW card) so we're not concerned about value for 2 dining credits. Plus, all the signatures seem comparably priced to one another so any suggestions at all would be appreciated in case we don't go to FF. Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

I can't really help with the Shellfish allergy due to inhalation of the steam. My family's allergy is based on ingestion. I do know that Flying Fish does not have an open kitchen, so that probably helps. The tables aren't particularly close, but it might still be an issue if someone at a nearby table orders a shellfish dish.

I think almost all of the Signatures have some dish or another that uses shellfish.

While my favorite Signature is Narcoossee's, they have a lot of shellfish on their menu, so you'll probably want to avoid that one. I also really like Jiko and Artist Point. Each have a dish with shellfish, but not an overwhelming number of dishes.

 

[Pakey]

I can't really help with the Shellfish allergy due to inhalation of the steam. My family's allergy is based on ingestion. I do know that Flying Fish does not have an open kitchen, so that probably helps. The tables aren't particularly close, but it might still be an issue if someone at a nearby table orders a shellfish dish.

I think almost all of the Signatures have some dish or another that uses shellfish.

While my favorite Signature is Narcoossee's, they have a lot of shellfish on their menu, so you'll probably want to avoid that one. I also really like Jiko and Artist Point. Each have a dish with shellfish, but not an overwhelming number of dishes.

Flying Fish does have an open kitchen and the tables are very close to one another; almost on top of each other.

I think Artist Point is a good choice since they have limited shellfish.

 

[figment_jii]

Flying Fish does have an open kitchen and the tables are very close to one another; almost on top of each other.

I forgot about the kitchen, I think I was getting it mixed up with the bar area. Regarding the tables, I don't recall feeling like the tables were that close together. I tend to think of Le Cellier as close together, but Flying Fish didn't give me that same feeling.

 

[MiramarQE]

DW has the allergies - won't go near Flying Fish or Citrico's or any other seafood specialty restaurant - and we know and understand that Disney is one of the best at allergy control (if you tell them about the allergies the chef will come out and discuss dishes you can/can't have).

Agree on Artist Point - Jiko (AK) is another good signature.

 

[EspositoScoresOTR]

So I have basically the exact opposite allergies as your son, I can't eat clams, mussels, scallops, oysters etc, but am fine with shrimp, lobster and crab. Flying fish is one of my favorites in Disney and very attentive to allergies. Right now the only steamed item on the menu is mussels. The tables are close together but there are some that are a little more intimate. I would note his allergy and the steam concerns on your reservation and maybe even stop by to check the menu/ ask any questions a day or so before your meal. I'm sure they will be accommodating and helpful but make sure that he's in a safe and comfortable position.

 

[EMom]

I have the same allergies as your son. Even inhaling steam will set me off. I was fine at Flying Fish. I always note "shellfish allergy" on my reservation and the chef always comes out to ask questions. I have never been seated anywhere near the kitchen at WDW. When I dine at other restaurants, I tell the hostess that I cannot be seated near the kitchen.

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

I avoid all seafood after reading so many articles about the fraud in the seafood industry. It basically comes down to restaurants and chefs not having any idea of what seafood they are working with if there are any middlemen involved. It's a similar issue as that of honey and olive oil...too much fraud to be considered safe when someone is allergic to any of the potential cheap fillers.

I did have two reactions during my past trip and almost a third when a slab of fish was brought out on my plate (chef's reaction was "I don't know how that got there"...seriously?!). The first time was when I munched on chips at one of the world showcase table service restaurants because the chef refused to find me something that I could eat (only place at WDW that this has ever happened). Another time was at a fish-themed QS when I was eating steamed broccoli...granted I was in a rush and didn't make sure their steamed broccoli was fish-free.

I did have many successful meals at places that served seafood, but I always keep in mind that there is the potential for repeat laziness/negligence resulting in cross-contamination back in the kitchen.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you everyone for your replies!!

Based on the info I got, I think we will be fine at Flying Fish. California Grill also had an open kitchen, and we weren't too far away from it, and they serve some dishes with shellfish in it. He was fine last year when we ate there.

We eat at restaurants at home that serve shellfish on the menu, and he has never had a reaction at any of those places. Nothing like a crab house or anything like that, but places that have several shellfish dishes on their menu, like our favorite local Italian restaurant. Even a Mexican restaurant that serves sizzling fajitas, one choice of which is shrimp, and sometimes a nearby table orders it but he is fine...it's not steam filling up an entire restaurant, and it's not out of control sizzling, just a little bit and in a concentrated location. I think the amount of steam in the whole place due to the crab legs at Cape May 3 years ago was just too much for him. Plus since the only steamed item at FF is mussels based on the info above, which is is not allergic to, I feel a lot more comfortable. We are also able to eat shrimp, lobster and crab at the same table as him, and he is fine. All of us are extremely careful and we wash our hands immediately after eating shellfish, even if it wasn't the type you eat with your hands.

Thanks again for all the info, it helps a lot!