O'hana's, We Talked to the Chef

[TruBlu]

I love pad thai, but I've never had it with pineapple. Is that the way it is normally served? The noodles sound great - without the pineapple. Do you think I could request them without it? Should I fake a pineapple allergy?

 

[DisneyCrazy915]

I wish they would just go back to the pre-potato menu, that was my personal favorite. It's not that I don't like the potatoes, but I have to agree that they just don't go with the theme. I'm happy that they brought the dumplings or whatever they're called back and the shrimp skewers, but I still miss the rice, and since I'm allergic to pineapple, and don't like any type of peanut sauce, this pasta pineapple, peanut thing doesn't sound very good.

 

[edk35]

as a mom of a peanut/tree nut allergic son, i will say that when we considered making 'ohana reservations it was strongly suggested that we either come for breakfast or not at all... apparently there is peanut sauce served at all tables and it's very risky to even have it on the table (chair? splashed? dripped? wiped? etc) and in the surrounding area from the family before/nearby/etc... so, if they need to add a peanut dish somewhere, that's the best place to add it 'cause most people w/peanut allergies are staying away anyway!!!

I totally agree.....I have three peanut allergic kids and one also has the treenut allergy. He can't be around nuts that are out in the open like that. We don't eat there for that very reason.

 

[edk35]

I'm a peanut "nut" and love them. However, I've always wondered how airlines can still offer them on flights. Based on what I just read via an MD who wrote an information article, I'd suggest worrying more about the flight to WDW than airborne or contact exposure at 'Ohana:

Another mechanism is through the release of peanut particles under pressure, such as occurs with the simultaneous opening of hundreds of peanut snacks in a pressurized airplane cabin. The presence of peanut protein in the filters of commercial airliners was documented in a study fromthe Mayo Clinic in 1996, confirming the possibility of airborne exposure.

You know what my son had some problems on a SW flight home in Jan. We always tell them about the allergies and they always serve an alternate snack and so far we have never had a problem but that flight home that night....really bothered him. He had to do his inhaler and I gave him benadryl. This makes sense then. I know that Airtran does not serve them.

 

[MyGoofy26]

Should I fake a pineapple allergy?

.

I actually have a pineapple allergy, but if they'd bring back that old pineapple dessert, I'd be on the phone in a second making my reservation.

So what if my whole mouth goes numb - love me some pineapple!

The bread pudding just doesn't do it for me. I think it's the nastiest stuff *shudder*. We ate the ice cream for dessert. So far the new menu sounds good to me, even the new pasta dish. I'm tempted to make a trip back this next trip. And like I said, if they'd bring back a pineapple dessert I'd be all in.

 

[Aquagirl]

I'm keeping my reservation but I'm starting a phone campaign to the chef and manager to keep the potatoes, and NEVER bring back that nasty pineapple/caramel dipping thingy.

Anyone want to join my phone campaign?

No way, but I would participate in a phone campaign to bring back the yummy pineapple/caramel dipping thingy.

 

[TruBlu]

.
love me some pineapple!

I love it, too - just not on salty things like pizza, ham, or noodles. I'm willing to give it a try, but it sounds nasty. Guess I'll just have to eat more of the other stuff.

 

[mefordis]

No way, but I would participate in a phone campaign to bring back the yummy pineapple/caramel dipping thingy.

Don't hold your breath. They got rid of it for a reason. You can make some for yourself at home, however. Buy a can of Dole pineapple and some Smuckers caramel sauce. Yummmmm-O!

 

[sanapunk]

I love these potatos so much, I usually eat the whole dish myself!

I actually just made them at home for the first time, they were tasty, but just not the same, not as cheesy I guess. They have the recipe at allearsnet.com

 

[Aquagirl]

Don't hold your breath. They got rid of it for a reason. You can make some for yourself at home, however. Buy a can of Dole pineapple and some Smuckers caramel sauce. Yummmmm-O!

I wan't expecting it to come back. It was so nice as a dessert, though. Nice a light after a heavy meal.

 

[fall08CP]

I honestly didn't think the potatoes were anything special. We'll still go back as the appetizers, salad, and dessert was soooo good.

My DD has peanut/nut allergies... and I was just trying to find somewhere new to eat.. this has certainly clarified us on Ohana.. Too bad, it sounded like a neat place to eat... and my children have never seen the Poly.

You could go to Kona cafe if you still want to see the Poly- it's right next door to Ohana and super deliscious!! I think they might have nut in the butter but otherwise you can avoid it.

 

[Tatania]

I've made the Maui potatoes for dinner parties and though they are very popular I could live without seeing them on the menu at Ohanas. I'm with the group who would like to see more authentic recipes at the theme restaurants in Disney World. The Disney experience for me is largely about the imaginative and interesting recreation of decors, landscape and architecture from Africa to the Pacific Northwest - and that experience includes the cuisine. As it is, I feel the menus are often dumbed down to the lowest common denominator and it would be great to see a more realistic Polynesian type menu. Bring on the poi!

 

[zulaya]

I agree. Now if they would bring back the pineapple and carmel sauce, we'd be in business.

YES YES YES to both your comment and Peter Pirate 2!

People with allergies...I'm sorry, you may not agree, but there are a lot of people who don't have allergies, too.

And while I'll definitely be back to 'Ohana now that those potatoes are leaving, the best thing the chef can do is bring back some rice! But I'll still do pasta and pineapple! YUM!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Loved those potatoes, but we love Pad Thai too, so whatever - doesn't matter for us!

 

[gigi1313]

You could go to Kona cafe if you still want to see the Poly- it's right next door to Ohana and super deliscious!! I think they might have nut in the butter but otherwise you can avoid it.

actually, there are a number of items on the kona dinner menu that would be dangerous to someone with nut allergies... the salad has almonds, the coconut chicken has almonds, the mahi-mahi is macadamia crusted, the nut tart (and most other wdw baked goods) would all be off-limits... and w/the presence of all those nuts in the kitchen (LOL) the chefs would have to be very careful when cooking for a nut-allergic individual!

 

[gigi1313]

People with allergies...I'm sorry, you may not agree, but there are a lot of people who don't have allergies, too.

no argument there... which is why we (people w/nut allergies) appreciate it when we are told in advance that a certain restaurant may not be a safe choice!

 

[CTtwins]

actually, there are a number of items on the kona dinner menu that would be dangerous to someone with nut allergies... the salad has almonds, the coconut chicken has almonds, the mahi-mahi is macadamia crusted, the nut tart (and most other wdw baked goods) would all be off-limits... and w/the presence of all those nuts in the kitchen (LOL) the chefs would have to be very careful when cooking for a nut-allergic individual!

Thanks again for another allergy tip on a restaurant... It is great to hear from others what their experience is about a restaurant. My practice is to ask when making the reservation if they can handle food allergies. If they can't, we simply do not eat there. If they can, we still clarify it with the Chef and then sit back and enjoy our meal!

People with allergies...I'm sorry, you may not agree, but there are a lot of people who don't have allergies, too. !

Not sure why this comment... Maybe I misunderstood your intention. But I believe that everyone here who posted about allergies simply said that they would avoid eating there... there were no complaints and unreasonable demands to change the menu. (except for those wanting yummy treats and potatoes brought back!) I actually just commented that I was sad that we couldn't enjoy the restaurant. I also said it's yummy dish that I used to eat 'way back when' and I'm sure that many many people, who don't have peanut/nut allergies, will enjoy it on the menu.

Remember, no innocent, small child has ever wished for a food allergy... This is not fun stuff for a child or parent. No one is ever happy about having food allergies. And no one wants it to impact others . We just need to be educated so we can take care of our children and keep them safe. Can't we all agree on that...?

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

nut allergies are actually covered under the Americans w/Disabilities Act and just by asking, you can fly a "nut free" flight (but that does not mean there were not nuts in the plane prior to your boarding)... we call about 2 to 3 days prior to flying to remind the airlines that we are flying and that it needs to be nut-free... then, we always pre-board, clorox wipe down the entire row (seats, arm rests, windows, tray tables, seat backs, etc) and keep our wipes nearby... we remind the boarding agent, the flight attendants (all of them) and esp remind them to make the announcement during the safety spiel...

I'm a former United Airlines flight attendant (5 years) and my husband is still a flight attendant (20 years). I've never heard of a nut-free flight! Perhaps that is airline specific? United stopped serving peanuts in coach in the late nineties, primarily for cost reasons, though they played the "sensitivity" card for PR reasons.

I've look in our FA manuals and our announcement books and there is nothing about nut-free flights.... perhaps that's an airline-specific policy?

Just curious.

 

[gigi1313]

we have recently flown alaska air, american and southwest and they all have peanut/nut free accomodations... mandated (i believe) by the ADA! usually it is found in the "special needs" section

i did a quick search at united.com and found this <<Note: None of the items in the United SnackBoxes contain peanuts, peanut flour or peanut oil. Some products have been manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts and are labeled as such.>> but nothing in the special needs section...

here's jetblue's section on it:
<<Nut Allergies

JetBlue does not serve peanuts and has no immediate plans to serve peanuts;
however, we cannot guarantee that our aircraft or snacks will be 100% free of
peanuts, peanut material or peanut products.

"Tree nuts" such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, etc. may be
served on JetBlue flights.

There is a possibility that some food items served come from facilities that also
manufacture products that may contain peanuts, peanut material or peanut
products.

We cannot prevent other customers from bringing their own peanuts or peanut
products onboard and consuming these items inflight. However, we ask that
you inform the head Inflight crewmember upon boarding the aircraft of your
severe nut allergy. Upon request, an Inflight crewmember will make an
announcement asking all customers to refrain from eating or opening nut
products.

JetBlue will offer a full refund to customers for whom these conditions make it
impossible to travel.
>>

 

[MakiraMarlena]

WDW is great with making sure that a diner with an allergy doesn't get any of the food they're allergic to. They could probably even make sure that nobody at the allergic diner's table gets the items they're allergic to.

But they certainly can't control what the party at the next table is eating. While a peanut allergic party could certainly ask for no sauce, no pasta, and nothing else that contains nuts, if you are looking for an entirely nut-free restaurant, that is most likely not going to be provided. There was some thread on the cruise board awhile back about the parent of an allergic child wanting to have her family seated with others as is typically done on a cruise ship, but she also wanted to insist that no one at the table (whether members of her family or not) could order anything that contained nuts. She didn't understand why people said they would ask to sit elsewhere.

I have been on two flights (both Southwest, which does serve peanuts) where an announcement was made prior to the flight that no peanuts would be served, and asked that no peanut products be opened in-flight, because of an allergic passenger. I have to wonder if they disinfected the plane. Every time I am on a Southwest flight there are peanuts all over the floor and in the cracks in the seats.