Cafe Uno

soolin

For anyone with any allergies it is probably best to avoid cafe Uno.

I have coeliac disease and can't eat any gluten. I wouldn't normally eat at an Italian based restaurant but the person who booked said they had checked beforehand and they did salads etc.

WE got there, ordered drinks and I asked what salads, or any other items were GF (the menu stated that anyone with an allergy should ask the waitress for recommendations). Drinks arrived plus the waitress to say that they did nothing at all that was gf due to sauces and some ingredients and that they were not prepared to start altering menu items to suit me..no sorry, not even a 'how can we resolve this for you'. I was a bit taken aback, even the fast food chains like Mc Donalds for all their faults try and help if you explain about dietary problems. I've never yet had a restuarant not even try to help..or provide a basic undressed salad or something.

Soo

Butlers1982

said they had checked beforehand and they did salads etc

How reliable was this person though, did they actually check?

soolin

Butlers1982 wrote: »

How reliable was this person though, did they actually check?

Yes he would have done, I've worked with and for this person for 14 years and he knows exactly what difficulties I have with finding food on work related ocassions. He might not specifically ask what was GF, but then I wouldn't either, I would assume that since they had salad ingredients and sold 'salad' dishes that it was possible to merely serve something plain without dressing or croutons. I've been doing this for years. I realise it is probably foolish to make any assumptions, and in future I will ensure I ask outright before I book a table if they can cater from GF, but I believe that the assumption I made was a fair one.

The only other time I've ever had something similar was many years ago in a Debenhams restauarant when I wanted eggs/bacon and beans from their breakfast menu and they insisted I had toast as well. I explained that I was happy to pay the full price but that I didn't want toast..and they insisted I had to have it and plonked it on top of my plate! However on that ocassion the manager was called pretty smartish and apologised for the staff lack of training and I got a fresh meal without toast.

With so much attention being given to people 'rights' it seems odd that a large chain can choose to openly refuse to make a fairly minor adjustment, ie leave off dressing and croutons from a dish when that difference can mean the risk of serious illness to someone.

dangeroussports

I know.

I wont eat sausage in sausage and egg mcmuffin. I ask them to supply an extra egg instead. I get an egg'n'egg mcmuffin, very helpful those Maccy D' staff.

Im lovin it.

soolin

When McDonalds first started doing salads I asked at the till if they were gluten free and was told yes, so I bought one. The manager heard the exchange and chased half way round the shopping mall trying to find me to stop me from eating it as it did actually have gluten in it.

That was all for a £3 McD salad...if they can care why can't the bigger chains?

Blacksheep1979

They care because of the negative PR after having wrongly told you that it was gluten free.

nomoneytoday

My wife is a coeliac. McDonalds are happy to make a Big Mac or other burger using the wheat free breads if you take the bread with you

miniemma

I am very suprised at your experience in Caffe Uno

I go to various branches fairly regularly and have never had a problem asking for "dressing on the side please" or "no goats cheese with that please"

In fact, I have a friend who ALWAYS asks for "a cesar salad with no parmasan, no crutons and no dressing" and gets it every time without even a raised eyebrow from the waiter. :rolleyes:

What a shame.