Is it possible for someone with seafood and dairy allergies to eat safely at Cape May

[got2luvtink]

I have two people in my party with these allergies. Eveyone else in our party really wants to eat here. My first inclination was just to cross this restaurant off our list. But I'm wordering again if it is a possibility.... I know the chefs at most TS's work with you, but I'm wondering would they specially make your food in the back, or will they just tell you what you can have on the buffet? I'm afraid if they just point out food at the buffet, then there's a chance of cross contamination from other patrons getting their food?

So do they specially prepare, or just point out? TIA!

 

[happymommy]

My son has allergies to dairy and egg (although now his levels are lower and we're very hopeful he's outgrowing them). When his dairy was at its highest, he was touch hypersensitive, so anywhere that dairy had been and not cleaned completely, if it touched him he hived up. BAD. He's had anaphylaxis twice. He did outgrow sesame and peanut (and sees the head of Pediatric Allergy at Johns Hopkins - love them there!). So just background to say I know where you're coming from.

If it were me, I'd talk to the allergic folks. If I had a seafood allergy, just due to the buffet style (even though Disney is so clean and replaces utensils often and food too), I'd see if I could order food cooked separate. I know they can walk you through the buffet (done if many times with my son) but it still can be risky. We took him to Boma when he was 6, and the chef walked us through the buffet, then went in the back and made him salmon and rice - he loved it! So they did at Boma make him his own food - with no risk of cross contamination.

So I'd see if it's okay with the allergic folks, and then decide. If they feel comfortable, go for it. If it's too much, then either choose another place or split up that dinner?

Wish you have a safe and fun trip!

 

[DCDisney]

For seafood yes they will definitely make them a special plate of food (may not have many choices though) but if it's a very serious allergy it's probably not a great idea because seafood is potentially everywhere in there tables, silverware, etc. Would the 2 be open to eating somewhere separate? They could go to Beaches and Cream very close by in the Beach Club for burgers and ice cream treats or about a 5 minute walk away they could go to Captain's Grill in the Yacht Club which would have many options. It really depends on how allergic they are and how comfortable they are being around seafood. Honestly with things like crab legs at the table which always seem to squirt it seems rather risky.

 

[ILuvMulan]

Cape May is one of our favorite places to eat, but honestly if I had anyone in my party with a serious seafood allergy I would avoid it at all cost. The risk would just be too great with all of the buckets of clams on the tables, the waiter or waitresses hands,(ie carrying the buckets and then setting up the tables with silverware) etc. My son had a peanut allergy for many years (he did outgrow it) and most places at Disney were wonderful about making peanut free options or telling him what to avoid on the buffet, but I would not have sent him on the Pirate Adventure that primarily served PB&J or taken him to some steak places that sit buckets of peanuts on the table. Just my $.02

 

[HappyontheLake]

I have three girls with food allergies ... we just outright avoid Buffets. Too much danger from other patrons spilling food, transferring serving utensils.

I often call ahead to restaurants to see how accommodating they can be -- call Cape May between 2 and 4pm to talk to the manager yourself. In the case of contact allergies (for us it is dairy, egg, peanuts, tree nuts for my youngest and peanuts for my oldest daughter) I carry disposable placemats and just put them on the table so their arms don't touch the table. I also wipe down the seats myself with clorox wipes that I carry with me.

 

[hsmamato2]

aren't seafood allergies really serious? I don't have them, but the ones I know of, you can;t cross contaminate without serious reactions- we ate here last winter,and I'd say NO!
everything on the buffet is surrounded by seafood,and you never know what people are doing with the spoons,etc. there will likely be contamination on just about everything-
I'd avoid this place and go somewhere you can order special allergy meals instead.I hardly think it would be worth a buffet price to get a plate of special food......
We have some allergy issues in our family,and we have to be careful too-

 

[hildarumpole]

Yes it is possible. We did it 2 years ago without a problem. We were staying at the BC and DH really wanted to eat there, so we made our ADR for the 1st seating of evening, before things got too messy. I talked to a CM at the restaurant before we dined to make sure they could accomodate us and was assured they could. They gave us a large table, so the kids with shellfish allergies could sit far away from DH. Our waitress was very helpful and kept an eagle eye on the kids to make sure no one got near them with any shellfish. The chef was super nice and gave a tour of the buffet. The shellfish is on one side, and most of the stuff the kids wanted was on the opposite side. The salads were near the shellfish, so he told us he would make them salad in the kitchen if they wanted any (which they didn't). They had plenty to good choices and didn't leave hungry. For dessert, the chef brought them Divvies cookies and an allergy-safe brownie. I noticed they policed the buffet more closely than most places. I saw a guy get called out by the chef for grabbing a roll with his hand instead of using the tongs.

If the allergic people in your party are apprehensive, I wouldn't do it. No sense in making someone stressed out over a meal, but if they're o.k. with it, go for it.

 

[2girls+twins]

It depends on the severity of the allergies. I cannot be in a restaurant that is cooking fish or shellfish. I can and have gone into anaphylaxis from seafood. I would talk to the people with the allergies, they know their bodies best

 

[clanmcculloch]

I agree with everybody else. It really depends on the severity of the allergy. If they're sensitive enough to have a reaction from contact then I wouldn't suggest that they even walk into the place because there's the potential for somebody, other guests especially, having handled seafood and then touched something like backs of chairs, railings, table edges, etc. If it's purely ingestion that's the issue then I would be more comfortable because the chefs will prepare the food in the kitchen in a specific allergy area to be safe if you ask (some chefs will offer but with others you have to ask though they will gladly do it if you ask).

You really want to ask the 2 people with allergies about THEIR comfort level. Only the people with the allergies are in a position to tell you their severity and their comfort level. It's their lives and health that are at risk so really they need to have a say in the reservation. If others are determined to eat there and the allergy sufferers are not comfortable then those who want to eat there need to understand that they are making a decision to split the group up in order to eat that meal.