A question for NJ restaurant owners and managers

[Curlz]

I considered just sending this directly to Lou, but am interested in having other owners and some managers weigh in...

Tonight I went to a restaurant in NYC that I've been to twice in three weeks; it's in the theater district, is moderately priced, and I've eaten there on two or three other occasions. This evening, within half an hour after finishing my entree (and having JUST walked out of the place), I got very nauseous--so much so that I was actually hoping to puke while out on 8th Avenue so I could go to the B'way show feeling better. Half a bottle of Coke and a few Pepto tablets that we picked up + a visit to the theater restroom, and let's just say that it was out of my system--and by the end of the show, I was feeling fine again. I'm certain it was my entree that made me sick, since my mom and I shared 2 appetizers but she didn't have any of my entree (crab cakes) b/c she's allergic to shellfish.

On my ride home, I called the restaurant, asked to speak to a manager, and having prefaced my comments with "I've eaten in your restaurant twice in a few weeks' time and I know that your seafood is popular (they also have a raw bar)," I told her "I thought you should know that I think the crab cakes made me sick tonight." Although the first thing the manager did was say she was "sorry I wasn't feeling well," I thought I detected a bit of attitude in her voice, and then she followed that comment with "But you should know that if it's food poisoning, it couldn't have been from here b/c it takes 24 hours for it to incubate, so it was likely something you ate yesterday."

I was so taken aback that I just repeated most of what I had already told her--including the fact that it's very rare for me to get sick from something I've eaten, regardless of how rich/spicy, etc. and that the one other time in my life that an ex and I got sick from something we had eaten, it happened the same way--we shared a dish and within an hour, we were both puking our guts up. I'd also like to say that I never said the words "food poisoning" when I called.

Let me be clear: I was NOT looking for any freebies. Had they offered something, I might not even have accepted it--I just wanted to alert them to the fact that something from their restaurant made me sick.

Is there a right/wrong here? Should I send an email or call again tomorrow to speak to a different manager? I'm happy to make it clear up front that I'm not looking for reimbursement or a freebie--I just didn't like the response/attitude that I received. I'd also like to know if anyone can validate the "24-hour incubation period" comment.

Thanks in advance for your input, y'all...

[FistFullaRoux]

It depends on the bug, but most food bourne illnesses will show symptoms in 8-24 hours, and last at least that long. Your mileage may vary, and existing health issues (like diabetes, a weakened immune system, ulcers, allergies, etc) can cause a much quicker or different reaction.

That being said, it is entirely possible for a restaurant with stellar quality and a knowlegable staff to have something slip through.

I think you did the right thing by alerting management. You weren't trying to shake them down. But you got better right after removing the food from your system. An allergic reaction does not have to be hives and breathing trouble. It can manifest itself in other ways. It also could be any ingredient in the dish, not just meat or eggs or seafood.

As an example, I have just recently discovered that I am sensitive to capers. I found this out by process of elimination (no pun intended) These have all hit immediately to 2 hours after eating. I end up with the shakes, really bad stomach cramps, and a general feeling of weakness that dissipates pretty quickly, usually by the next morning at the latest. Avoiding the capers has helped tremendously.

edited for spellin

Edited March 24, 2004 by FistFullaRoux (log)

[adegiulio]

Me and a few friends ate at a french Brasserie in Montclair one night. The three of us that ate mussells got very sick that night, probably 4-8 hours later. I called the next day and told them right off the bat that I didn't want anything, but just wanted to alert them that the mussells were bad and they should hang onto any paperwork regarding the origin, just in case there were others that complained. The owner was very gracious and apologetic, and a few days later several gift certificates arrived in my mailbox. Though we have been back several times since, we didn't use them.

That, to me, is the right way for a restaurant to handle the situation.

[Lreda]

Let me get this staight, you got sick and thought of me. Hmmm, took 2 years of living together and 6 years of marriage to give my ex-wife that reaction.

The pervious posts are correct according to the classes I've taken with the board of health for both the town of Randolph and State of NJ regarding food-born illnesses. It usually takes 4-8 hours after ingestion for food poisoning, you may have had a allergic reaction also. I've gotten at least half a dozen calls telling me they got sick right after leaving my place and after talking to them figured it was what they had for their previous meal.

Crab cakes not perpared properly are very dangerous depending on the recipe, basiclly the filler some places use. I hope you're feeling better but it could have been anything.

Edited March 24, 2004 by Lreda (log)

[Kim WB]

I'd also strongly suggest that your reaction was indicitive of an allergeric reaction rather than food poisoning. An allergy literally seems to "appear" overnight..I was on a course of sulfite antibiotics, whcih I had been on previously..but within one hour of ingesting the pill, I was violently throwing up. My sister in law always ate Shrimp, shellfish, etc. One day at a Benihana type business luncheon, she erupted in giant hives and her throat closed up, went to the hospital with a breathing tube down her throat..with no previoushints that she would have this reaction.

I'm not sure of any genetic predisposition...if your mom is allergic to shellfish , is there a genetic basis for allergies?

Edited March 24, 2004 by Kim WB (log)

[Curlz]

I'm not sure of any genetic predisposition...if your mom is allergic to shellfish , is there a genetic basis for allergies?

It's funny that you asked this, Kim, b/c when I read my post, I realized that might jump out to some as a possibility. To date, I've never had an issue with any kind of shellfish, 'tho Mom has known for 40+ years that she's allergic. Then again, she's allergic to penicillin and I'm not...who knows?

I really do appreciate everyone's feedback and wishes for my good health and can tell you all that I'm feeling 100% fine--as I was last night once I got past that awful hour or so. My bigger issue was wondering if there was something else I should have said/done...I don't often second-guess myself with stuff like this, which is why I was also looking for factual backup. Much appreciated!

And to Lou, my apologies/thanks for the laugh re: your ex-wife!!!

Edited March 24, 2004 by Curlz (log)

[ghostrider]

My vote goes to allergy too. Allergies can develop at almost any point in life, as Kim illustrated above.

My own experiences with food poisoning from bad seafood all involved the illness showing up 6-8 hours after the meal. It's that mere half-hour "incubation period" that makes me think allergy.

Glad you're OK.

[WHT]

From the sound of it I would bet strong money on chemical contamination. soap mor than likely.