I feel vindicated, happy ending

[ibela]

Sorry, this is a bit long winded . . .

About 6 weeks ago dh and I treated ourselves out to a really fancy and expensive dinner. Since having ds (now 1) we really never go out just the 2 of us anymore and didn't do anything romantic for our birthdays or 10yr anniversary this year. Anyway, after spending over a month looking forward to this amazing dinner, my dh's fish made him sick. He threw up a total of 5 times in the span of 1hr (he was OK after that). While in the restaurant we called the waiter over who responded by asking if dh wanted cheese. We asked to see the owner expecting some sympathy and the removal of the price of his entree from the bill, but instead the guy said there's no way the food made him sick. He suggested that maybe dh was coming down with a cold (which I thought was ridiculous at the time, and in hindsight we know he definitely wasn't), then accused us of trying to scam him (not our first time eating there mind you) and KICKED MY DH OUT where I had to meet him outside! I had to leave a credit card on file for the reservation and the manager said we had to leave because we were upsetting the staff (!) and that he would use my cc on file to charge the full balance of the meal including dh's entree. At that point we were really angry and stopped at a police station down the street to file a report, we couldn't because although it was down the street it was a different county. Dh didn't feel up to going to the right one and he said he didn't want to go to the hospital because at that point he said he felt much better and felt he had gotten it out of his system and wanted to just go home to rest (and alleviate our babysitter).

I called American Express and disputed the bill for the whole amount (never our original intent) because by that point we were really insulted at being thrown out in the midst of his vomiting. I figured it'd go nowhere anyway and my amazing dinner that I had looked forward to was just a shameful waste. Well the cc company just sent us a letter stating that since the restaurant never responded to them despite many requests, they were ruling in our favor!! I'm excited and almost feel like this is found money.

Lessons learned:
1. Food poisioning can happen ANYWHERE.
2. Don't get over excited about anything in advance. We had talked this place up so much that I was embarassed after the fact.
3. Should've gotten a hospital report to prove it to the restaurant and I would've made it known the outcome and how we were treated. This restaurant is always being touted as top in the state, best service, etc.

 

[kaytieeldr]

While it truly stinks that your husband got sick, it's unlikely - given that the symptoms apparently manifested themselves while you were dining in the restaurant - that it was food poisoning from something he was eating. Food poisoning doesn't appear that quickly http://www.medic8.com/healthguide/articles/foodpoisoningoverview.html (see the section about halfway down titled "What happens in the body after the microbes that produce illness are swallowed? ")

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

Although the restaurant was definetly RUDE, what a pp stated is true. I am a food facility inspector for the military and most food borne illnesses take AT LEAST 4 hours to make you sick, if not more..more likely 12-24 hours.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have to agree with a PP - it takes many hours for symptoms to show up. I've had it, and it hit the next morning, after what I assumed was something we ate for dinner (DH got hit with it an hour before I did). Was he vomiting in the restroom, or in the dining room. TBH, if I threw up at a restaurant, I'd be heading right out of there!

Maybe your DH ate some tainted food for lunch? BTW, what restaurant?

Edited to add, yes, these things can happen anywhere - DH and I ended up with Hep A once, and counting back, it's likely we were exposed during our week at WDW!

 

[clutter]

Also, you can develop a sensitivity (not really an allergy) to certain seafoods as an adult. At age 29, I suddenly became violently ill a couple hours after eating a seafood cobb salad. I, too, thought food poisining. However, a year or so later, I also became violently after having one crab-stuffed mushroom cap. It had to be the crab v. me because none of my friends got ill. I don't touch crab anymore, and I used to LOVE it. And yes, you do feel better after you're finished. Both times, it took about 3-4 hours until I became ill. Once was with a lot of food (and a lot of illness, which ironically occurred while I was driving through Los Banos, CA) and one time with only a bite, and only a little bit of illness.

 

[bridgetgabbie]

Regardless if it was food poisoning or not, you guys were treated very badly, and I am glad you got your money back. I wish I was more forward when something bad happens to me.

 

[piglet33]

What restaurant? I also live in NJ so I want to know what place to stay away from. It may not have been food poisoning, but they way they treated you in unacceptable.

 

[Andreas Mom]

Also, you can develop a sensitivity (not really an allergy) to certain seafoods as an adult. At age 29, I suddenly became violently ill a couple hours after eating a seafood cobb salad. I, too, thought food poisining. However, a year or so later, I also became violently after having one crab-stuffed mushroom cap. It had to be the crab v. me because none of my friends got ill. I don't touch crab anymore, and I used to LOVE it. And yes, you do feel better after you're finished. Both times, it took about 3-4 hours until I became ill. Once was with a lot of food (and a lot of illness, which ironically occurred while I was driving through Los Banos, CA) and one time with only a bite, and only a little bit of illness.

This happened to my mom too. She couldnt eat crab or shrimp (i dont remmeber) for years....told her she had developed a sensitivity....years later she ate it again and was fine

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

seafood and fish can go off very fast if not handled properly. Which I bet was the case here.

Good for you OP! Serves them right for the despicable treatment of your husband.

 

[mrsklamc]

This happened to my mom too. She couldnt eat crab or shrimp (i dont remmeber) for years....told her she had developed a sensitivity....years later she ate it again and was fine

Mines not seafood but at age 21 I became unable to eat almonds. Thanks for the hope that maybe someday I can again!

 

[akcire]

I have food allergies. Your husbands described reaction is what happens to me if I eat a food on my prohibited list. It may not have been the fish, but a sauce served with the sauce that did him in--whatever he ordered, I'd tell him to avoid.

 

[ibela]

Also, you can develop a sensitivity (not really an allergy) to certain seafoods as an adult. At age 29, I suddenly became violently ill a couple hours after eating a seafood cobb salad. I, too, thought food poisining. However, a year or so later, I also became violently after having one crab-stuffed mushroom cap. It had to be the crab v. me because none of my friends got ill. I don't touch crab anymore, and I used to LOVE it. And yes, you do feel better after you're finished. Both times, it took about 3-4 hours until I became ill. Once was with a lot of food (and a lot of illness, which ironically occurred while I was driving through Los Banos, CA) and one time with only a bite, and only a little bit of illness.

seafood and fish can go off very fast if not handled properly. Which I bet was the case here.

Good for you OP! Serves them right for the despicable treatment of your husband.

His tuna was served rare (as intended) so I think it'd probably take less time to disagree with his stomach as opposed to cooked chicken? I did consider that the sauce may have had some shellfish in it which we told the waiter during ordering that he cannot have at all, we didn't think to mention it to the owner though to confirm no shellfish was present.

What restaurant? I also live in NJ so I want to know what place to stay away from. It may not have been food poisoning, but they way they treated you in unacceptable.

It was Nicholas in Red Bank, always in Zagat and other publications as being rated #1 for food and service! I know I am definitely steering clear of it going forward.

 

[ibela]

I have food allergies. Your husbands described reaction is what happens to me if I eat a food on my prohibited list. It may not have been the fish, but a sauce served with the sauce that did him in--whatever he ordered, I'd tell him to avoid.

We posted at about the same time but I just thought about this a few days ago and you may be right. He told the waiter he can't have shellfish and the waiter said there was none. Going forward, we should probably confirm with the chef to be sure. Just like the waiter told us he had told the owner/manager that my dh felt ill (the guy was surprised when he came to the table), he probably didn't confirm no shellfish with the chef either.

 

[dex08]

Wow.. that is terrible! I'm very curious as to the name and location of the restaurant since I also live in NJ.

I have had food poisoning several times from restaurants and have always called the local health department to file complaints against restaurants.

 

[Shmily1]

Food poisoning doesn't always take hours to show up. DSS38 had it and was sick in the parking lot of the restaurant. He was carried to the hospital who confirmed it was food poisoning.

Good job OP for standing your ground!!

 

[ibela]

I have to agree with a PP - it takes many hours for symptoms to show up. I've had it, and it hit the next morning, after what I assumed was something we ate for dinner (DH got hit with it an hour before I did). Was he vomiting in the restroom, or in the dining room. TBH, if I threw up at a restaurant, I'd be heading right out of there!

Maybe your DH ate some tainted food for lunch? BTW, what restaurant?

Edited to add, yes, these things can happen anywhere - DH and I ended up with Hep A once, and counting back, it's likely we were exposed during our week at WDW!

That's what the owner suggested too but he had actually skipped lunch that day and only ate cereal for breakfast. And he vomited in the restroom, not in the middle of the restaurant although that would've been a sight in this jacket and tie required place.

Regardless if it was food poisoning or not, you guys were treated very badly, and I am glad you got your money back. I wish I was more forward when something bad happens to me.

Thank you.

 

[bnhasak]

Sounds like a food allergy from possible cross contamination. DH actually went in to anaphylactic shock two weeks ago after eating out. We had steak, potato, broccoli. He isn't allergic to ANYTHING but the docs think it was cross contaminated with something else like mushrooms, shellfish and DH must have developed a life threatening allergy to it. He nearly died the reaction was so immediate and strong. When the ambulance arrived his blood pressure had already dropped and we had trouble finding a pulse. UGH!

Regardless of the reason the restaurant acted poorly. Glad DH is okay and that things worked out in your favor.

We now rarely eat out and DH has to carry an epi-pen wherever we go. I don't trust any restaurant anymore. Too many chefs in the kitchen so to speak and nobody is THAT careful.

 

[ibela]

Sounds like a food allergy from possible cross contamination. DH actually went in to anaphylactic shock two weeks ago after eating out. We had steak, potato, broccoli. He isn't allergic to ANYTHING but the docs think it was cross contaminated with something else like mushrooms, shellfish and DH must have developed a life threatening allergy to it. He nearly died the reaction was so immediate and strong. When the ambulance arrived his blood pressure had already dropped and we had trouble finding a pulse. UGH!

Regardless of the reason the restaurant acted poorly. Glad DH is okay and that things worked out in your favor.

We now rarely eat out and DH has to carry an epi-pen wherever we go. I don't trust any restaurant anymore. Too many chefs in the kitchen so to speak and nobody is THAT careful.

O-M-G, that's horrible. Thank goodness your dh is OK, that sounds abolutely terrifying. I don't blame you for not eating out anymore. I'm glad he's OK.

 

[cats mom]

Unless OP and her DH were at the restaurant for hours, I doubt anything was wrong with the food per se. Even if fish has gone bad, it takes quite awhile after eating it to feel the effects. I'm sure that's why the chef and servers got a bit testy, especially if accusations were being made in front of other customers.

If it was a food allergy or sensitivity, the restaurant doesn't really have any control over that, unless they know going in what people need to avoid. Of course that doesn't make throwing people out and being rude OK.



Edited to add:

I guess that's what I get for starting a post then finishing and submitting later without reading other replies. I didn't see that the OP's DH has a known problem with shellfish, or this post:

Food poisoning doesn't always take hours to show up. DSS38 had it and was sick in the parking lot of the restaurant. He was carried to the hospital who confirmed it was food poisoning.

I've never heard of actual food poisoning hitting that quickly. I know if microbes are the problem, it takes longer than that. Maybe if some kind of toxin is involved, it can manifest more quickly though.

 

[delmar411]

well I'd agree with the PPs that it doesn't sound like food poisoning but it definitely sounds like what happens to me when I'm exposed to shellfish. For me, all it would take is for the chefs to use the same utensils for handing my food as they did with the shellfish and I would be vomiting within 10mins and it would go on for hours. The last time I ate any shellfish(in HS), I ate one shrimp at dinner and was deathly ill for the remainder of the night. I haven't touched shellfish since as that reaction came on quicker than any others before it. Shellfish allergies tend to get worse if you repeatedly expose yourself so just something to keep in mind.

Either way the restaurant handled it horribly and since they threw you out and you didn't eat your dinner disputing it was the right thing to do.

I would in the future remind servers or even let management know that your DH's meal needs to be handled separately and they need to avoid cross contamination. Even at a seafood restaurant they are normally equipped to handle such requests.