Austin360 blogs > Dale's Table > Archives > 2007 > July > 04 > Entry
Foie gras restaurants vandalized
Two restaurants that serve foie gras were vandalized early Tuesday morning, the owners reported. Aquarelle on Rio Grande Street and Restaurant Jezebel on Congress Avenue had vulgar anti-foie gras slogans spray-painted on the buildings. The slogans were painted on the glass windows at Jezebel and on the antique wood doors and sign at Aquarelle. Fortunately, Aquarelle co-owner Teresa Wilson said, the staff was able to clean the paint off without a great deal of permanent damage.
Noah Cooper, one of the leaders of Central Texas Animal Defense, which has singled out Jezebel in its campaign criticizing the serving of foie gras, said his group does not condone vandalism. In fact, he said, those kinds of acts hurt the group’s cause when it is concentrating on education and outreach.
It’s sad to see what should be a respectful debate over a controversial dish descend to criminal acts. A vandal’s voice may be loud, but that doesn’t mean anyone is going to listen to it.
Comments
By Jeff
July 11, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
To put things in perspective here:
1) Geese raised for foie gras purposes have a stomach tube slid down their throats for 15 seconds a day. Since geese do not have a gag reflex, this does not produce a particularly strong level of discomfort. They are free-range the remaining 23 hrs 45 secs. I believe there are less than 100,000 of these geese slaughtered each year.
2) The vast majority of the billions of chickens, pigs and cattle consumed annually in the US are raised in subhuman conditions, covered in fecal matter and given little to no grazing room 24 hours a day. Cattle are force-fed an unnatural grain diet and pumped with antibiotics to stave off the illnesses their normal grass diets prevent.
Which one of these issues should be concern ourselves with, again?
By Paul Silver
July 10, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
I will go out of my way to dine at venues targeted by folks trying to impose their values on others.
After Foie Gras, are veal, suckling pig, or anything butchered far behind. How about the damage done by wine and spirits? How about banning sugar, high frustose corn syrup?
These self righteous and meddling folks will never stop.
By D.
July 6, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
These vandals are people who want to control their neighbors through minor terrorist acts. I think these individuals should be hunted down and jailed, as I would like terrorist threats to be eliminated from my neighborhood.
By Robert
July 6, 2007 5:53 AM | Link to this
Its not a good method of advertisement,but finally I know where to go to enjoy a real European meal! I immediately called and made reservations at Jezebel. If you are against death of animals for fuel then fine, be an advocate for all animals. You think your little ole bed ridden granny is being treated just fine up in her nursing home until you find out she is getting attacked by fire ants in her bed (happens a lot). On paper many thing can be made to look better than they are. Go visit any slaughter house. They are all pretty disgusting. But you will not see me being an advocate for animals born for food until they are paying taxes. Seriously, there are bigger fish to fry. Go vandalize the White House for forcing our soldiers into being slaughtered.
By Keith
July 5, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
This is a wake-up call to anyone who cares about law and human rights to crack down on these hypocritical terrorists. It is time to arrest these spraypaint punks and stuff them - into the cells they deserve.
By amexarhos
July 5, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Ironic that one condoning vandalism borne of zeal should call anyone arrogant. Foie gras has been produced for thousands of years and is a rich addition to culinary history and culture. It is a luxury item, and an easy target. Let us not forget, however, that these animals receive much more attention from their caretakers than warehouse raised chickens or feedlot steers. Perhaps the way our food is raised for the masses should be the primary concern as opposed to such an insignificant share of the market. The elimination of foie gras would simply further homogeonize our already limited fodder.
By damnation's delights
July 5, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this
PUH-LEEZ. Which local media was trying to add fuel to the controversy in the first place?
And I suppose the ability to have ‘respectful’ debates over the life and death of other animals is what separates us from other animals?
This is a wake-up call to restaurant owners to rethink their arrogance and practices.