When children are little, they are always taught the basic safety rules. Don’t talk to strangers, don't get in people's car, look both ways before you cross the street, and stay close in crowded places. That's basically it. But, for my sister Shreya, we have another rule added to her list and it is essential that she follows it to a T: Don't eat anything that your mom hasn't approved. Why is this so? Shreya has food allergies. This means that if she eats certain things, such as Peanuts, Milk, Eggs, or Nuts, she can have mild to extremely severe reactions. Her mouth might start hurting, she might get hives, or she may have trouble breathing and have to be taken to the ER. And it's not only her. According to FARE, "Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies." Also, "This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s roughly two in every classroom." Because of this difficulty, she brings her food with her whenever she goes to restaurants with us, or when she goes to parties. She cannot eat out!
This was about to change.
One weekend, we were visiting Gettysburg, PA. My mom decided that since a special restaurant, One Dish Cuisine, was only an hour and a half away in Maryland, we should go and try it. During the car ride, my sister got upset because it was a long drive just for a restaurant. She didn't realize that it was a restaurant where she could eat, but more on that later. Once we got there, Shreya was even more disheartened that the sign said, "Outside Food Is Not Allowed". She could not bring her food. She thought that she would have to wait while the rest of us ate. Once we went inside, people were bustling around and the whole place radiated energy and excitement. What my sister didn't realize though, is that this was a restaurant where she could go to eat, and finally have the sensation of ordering her food and watching it being brought to her at the table. We took Shreya to the menu on the wall and asked her what she wanted to eat. We had to say that to her a couple of times before it dawned on her that she could eat food from a real restaurant kitchen. Once it sank in, she was thrilled and could not wipe the smile off of her face.
What I really liked about this restaurant is that they are so concerned and careful about food allergies. This is no surprise, seeing as the owner herself, Ms. Maureen, has food allergies, Celiac, and a lot of other food sensitivities. When we were ordering our food, she told us exactly how her restaurant works. The whole restaurant was free of gluten (wheat), eggs, nuts, peanuts, and sesame. There were 2 separate kitchen lines, for separate groups of food allergies. The Blue Kitchen Line did not have any dairy products either along with the ones mentioned above so it worked perfectly for Shreya. The Green Kitchen Line did have dairy so the rest of us were going to order from there. The dairy was kept in a different line so that if you had milk allergies, your food wouldn't be contaminated. Then, to further prevent the risk of contamination and confusion, the food was also brought out on blue or green trays. For example, Shreya ate from the Blue tray, but I ate from the Green tray. If you have any other allergies that are not mentioned above, you can tell Ms. Maureen and she will make sure your food is safe and allergen free.
Even though the food was gluten, egg and nut free, it didn't taste any different from the food that we normally eat at other restaurants. I ate a grilled cheese sandwich, my parents ate burgers, and my sister went a little overboard. She ordered spaghetti, fries, and garlic bread. Hey, it was her once-in-a-lifetime chance! When Ms. Maureen came to our table to ask Shreya how the food was, she said it was better than mom’s food. Normally, my mom would have been offended, but not today! It was such a special day for all of us, she felt like she was the happiest lady on the planet!
All in all, I think that My Cool Lane should have a One Dish Cuisine, and every cool lane should have one too!
If you are hungry for One Dish Cuisine, please go to:
8001 Hillsborough Rd (Taylor Village Center)
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-759-6344
