O'hana's, We Talked to the Chef

[mickey&minniealways]

I don't have a problem with the peanut dish. It is probably more consistant with the polynesian culture. As for Allergies. You never know what is served in restaurant. There could be nuts anywhere and you don't know what other people have with them. I have been in reseraunts many times where I have seen parents hand a child a bag of nuts to keep them busy until their food arrives. I am not being insensitive and yes I do know what these allergies are like. I have a niece who is highly allergic. When my sister goes out and they are planning on eating at ohana for a trip latter this year, she will just ask the wait staff to remove the peanut sauce from the table before seating them. She also go to all resteraunts with a package of antibiotic wipes and asks that they wipe down the table and chairs first. She has never had a problem voicing this. I also have a friend who when going someplace like Ohana or Boma where nuts in dishes is a big parts of their cultural food practices to rewash the plate and utensil for her son with allergies before he is served incase there is any residue from the oils. You can also call ahead or ask to speak to the chef while being seated. They will make you something special at almost all TS reseraunts in Disney. At Boma they usually ask as soon as you sit down if there is anyone with allergies or special dietary considerations and that the chef will be happy to make them something special. Sorry that this is a little off topic.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

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.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Looks like I'll be knocking Ohana off my ADR list for tomorrows call.

You found those gross, absolutely non-polynesian potato's that good?

 

[Snurk71]

You found those gross, absolutely non-polynesian potato's that good?

I did.

If both the potatoes and the bread pudding goes, so will I.

I don't care if it's polynesian themed or not. I'm all about the food.

 

[mefordis]

Looks like I'll be knocking Ohana off my ADR list for tomorrows call.

I just did!

 

[La2kw]

It's very amusing to see so many people cancelling their ressies. That gives more room for those of us who want to enjoy polynesian themed food in the polynesian themed restaurant.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

It's very amusing to see so many people cancelling their ressies. That gives more room for those of us who want to enjoy polynesian themed food in the polynesian themed restaurant.

EXACTLY! Not to mention the thousands of us who QUIT going when they initially dumbed down the menu to satisfy the DDP's. Perhaps they'll actually get back to the quality and quasi - authenticity they once stood for!!! Of course this is just my opinion.

 

[gigi1313]

since i live with a peanut/tree nut allergic ds, here's how we handle both the flights to/from wdw (and anywhere else) as well as eating at disney (and other places)...

first and foremost when making airline ressies, there is a section for disabilities, we check off nut allergic... 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...

as far as wdw TS restaurants go... we first have it noted on our ADR... then we call the number the dining line gives us to speak w/a chef 48 hours prior to our meal, reviewing what ds/our family ('cause we all keep nut free out of respect and safety for him) can/cannot have, and making any special arrangements at that time (this is when we were strongly urged not to have dinner at 'ohana)... then we remind the greeter/host/hostess at the restaurant when we check in for our ADR... again, we tell our server... we then usually meet with a chef (only three wdw restaurants did not think this was necessary... tony's, san angel and nine dragons... and i balked and insisted) to again go over our options and typically discuss dessert ('cause that's the trickiest and we've had great magic w/the chefs making ds something special)... then we safely dine and feast like princes and princesses!

 

[kileybeth]

gigi1313

my grandson is fatally allergic to peanuts. He has had several close calls. My son and his family visited the world 2x last year. They are still talking about how well Disney handles allergies, specifically nut allergies. (they also visted Universal-nightmareish time allergy wise) Just reading your extra precautions and follow through reminds me of why I love my daughter in law so much. She daily (as I know you do ) deals with these issues as others sit and complain about not being able to have a tiny bag of nuts on a 1.5 hour flight! They actually had to delay coming home last time as they prepared to board and where told that absolutely they would have peanuts and no one could tell them not too! oh dear. They did later get comped for all the hassle but from that trip on? They drive.

PS they did eat at Ohana's as my grandsons favorite movie is Lilo and Stich and with precautions and care even returned on their second trip.

PPS that pasta dish sounds fab to me though!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

It's very amusing to see so many people cancelling their ressies. That gives more room for those of us who want to enjoy polynesian themed food in the polynesian themed restaurant.

I agree, now maybe we can get ADR closer to last minute instead of planning 3-4 months away.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Yes, people please cancel your reservations. This way I can be sure to eat there 2-3 times during our trip.

Personally, although I love cheesy potatoes seeing them on the menu never impressed me. I can make them very easily at home. I love pad thai and pineapple, and I think these noodles sound good and very polynesian themed. They'll go great with the other POSITIVE changes being made to 'Ohanas such a skewered shrimp and potstickers.

 

[mefordis]

Is there anyway to see what the full menu will be for our trip in early May? I might still want to take my mom for her birthday, but now I'm confused about what will be on the menu. Potstickers? Skewered shrimp?

Thanks!

 

[Lureen]

We were there a week ago, and I hated the potatoes. They didn't even taste like "fresh" potatoes. I can't see what the big whoop is about them.

Here's a tip for all of you who are cancelling Ohana's because those taters might not be on the menu: Buy a box of Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes. Prepare them according to the package instructions.

Bingo! You now have "Maui potatoes" right in your very own home!

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

We were there a week ago, and I hated the potatoes. They didn't even taste like "fresh" potatoes. I can't see what the big whoop is about them.

Here's a tip for all of you who are cancelling Ohana's because those taters might not be on the menu: Buy a box of Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes. Prepare them according to the package instructions.

Bingo! You now have "Maui potatoes" right in your very own home!

Not true at all. I've had those boxed potatoes before and I made the Maui Scalloped potatoes by the official recipe and they're two completely different things. Sorry that you had a bad experience.

 

[boxer]

are they still having the shrimp appetizer? If both the shrimp and the potatoes are gone, then I may also cancel this ressie.

That peanut noodle, or pineapple, or whatever concoction they have now will never even make it to my table if I decide to keep my reservation.

I never really went for the meat on this menu, I went for the appitzers and the BREAD PUDDING.

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

That peanut noodle, or pineapple, or whatever concoction they have now will never even make it to my table if I decide to keep my reservation.

 

[MamaCoog]

are they still having the shrimp appetizer? If both the shrimp and the potatoes are gone, then I may also cancel this ressie.

That peanut noodle, or pineapple, or whatever concoction they have now will never even make it to my table if I decide to keep my reservation.

I never really went for the meat on this menu, I went for the appitzers and the BREAD PUDDING.

No the app shrimp is gone. They have peel n eat skewered shrimp now. They were very good.

 

[mefordis]

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?

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

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?

Unfortunately, as other people have stated - as long as the restaurant remains full everynight nothing will change.

 

[Lureen]

...Sorry that you had a bad experience.

No, I didn't have a bad experience at Ohana's. Just bad potatoes.

Seriously, we loved our entire experience at Ohana's, but the potatoes we were served did not taste like fresh or "real" potatoes. They had the flavor of reconstituted dried potatoes (like the ones in the Betty Crocker box) or canned potatoes.

IOW, I know my spuds, and these were definitely not freshly cleaned and sliced in the kitchen that day.