eating out in Anguilla with a nut allergy

[foodtogo]

Hello-

Our family will be spending Thanksgiving in Anguilla. Our daughter was diagnosed this summer with a tree nut allergy, and this was something we learned after we had booked our trip. We are staying in a condo with a full kitchen and are planning on cooking our own meals. However, I'm wondering if anyone has traveled with a nut allergy to Anguilla and has suggestions of restaurants that understand how to prepare food safely for someone with a food allergy?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

[fwillson21]

HI,

I saw your post here about Anguilla and greater Boston. This may be a long post, but being in the hospitality industry, an EMT, and one who has travelled to Anguilla several times, I think I can give you some good info, so read on.

I can tell you that most medium to high quality restaurants are very much aware of food allergies and how to deal with them. Be sure you make them aware of the allergy when you arrive, when your waiter/waitress introduces themselves and when you order. Be vocal and you should be all set. This goes for just about anywhere, the last thing a restaurant wants is to make a guest sick, it doesn't look good for them.

On Anguilla (and when traveling outside of the US) you will have to be a little more careful. I would not recommend the beach-side bars run by locals. Though they are probably safe, I would air on the side of safety. I have had experience with medical care on Anguilla, you don't want to. ALL RESTAURANTS AND BARS on any caribbean island will have nutmeg on the bar, they use this to top the tropical drinks, if this falls into the nut allergies your child has keep her away from the bar and be sure when you order a drink specify no nutmeg.

As far as safe places to eat, you should be good at the resorts, Roy's Bayside Grill, Straw Hat, Mangos and the more upscale restaurants where they have chefs cooking. Again though, be sure to tell them about the allergy and ask if it will be a problem.

Finally, if your daughter has been given an epi pen be sure to take it with you, I would recommend taking two. If she is old enough she could carry one and you the other, or each parent carry one. If you have two you will be all set if you loose one, use one or go in separate directions.

Depending on how severe her allergy is depends on how careful you need to be, but don't let it be all consuming, you will get used to it and the precautions will become routine. Anguilla is a great island and you will love it. Enjoy.

[phelana]

I travel to Anguilla several times a year. Check out www.anguillabliss.com

The island is small and the dining options quite intimate. Contact these restaurants before hand to organize some nut free dinners:

Straw Hat
SandBar
Smokeys
Cote Mer
Trattoria Tremonte
Barrel Stay
Veya