Thanks I appreciate it.  I totally agree with you about working with the kids and both my boys if they are not "comfortable" sometimes even if I say I read a label or asked and it's ok they will tell me they don't want to take a chance.  I have taught my boys that they are the ones that have to be able to manage their allergies as they become grownups and even though I may prompt them now as to what to order, I still have them order so that they get used to doing it themselves.  They are both 10 now.  Our school thinks I should be the one doing the talking for them.  I disagree I have taught them to question, question question and we go over the school menu's together.  I feel confidant that as they get older and Mommy is not around they will make "safe" choices.  When we are in doubt and If in a restaurant and the server doesn't get it, we usually ask if they can make plain, dry pasta.  No butter, no cheese, no sauce.  Then we add the olive oil ourselves.
Beth
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mark Feblowitz<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
  To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 3:08 PM
  Subject: Re: Restaurants


  Bertucci's is the first restaurant we took our son to (at age 5?). He simply loved it. He and I are both  allergic to dairy. He is also allergic to eggs and all nuts.

  I don't know for certain whether they change gloves, clean surfaces, or use clean pizza pans/holders. That would be a question to ask the manager.

  So far, neither of us has had a reaction to their cheese-free pizzas. Your mileage may vary. Always say that your child has a severe, life-threatening allergy to milk products, and tell that to the floor manager. If new gloves, etc., are essential, say so.

  Hope it goes well for you. Our hair-trigger son recently turned 18, just graduated from high school, and is off to a very good school. He knows how to order at restaurants (we modeled it well), and so far he's done very well. He also knows (because we talked about it) when a server "doesn't get it." He's learned how to be polite but definitive, and when to ask for a manager and/or to simply cancel the order, pay for what's been consumed, and leave. Work with your child on all of this - it will pay off.

  Mark


  -------------- Original message --------------

  > When they make this dairy free pizza does the manager ensure that the =
  > cook changed gloves and that the dough isn't placed on the same surface =
  > that they make the regular cheese pies on??