Austin360 blogs > Dale's Table > Archives > 2007 > July > 04
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
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.
