» Foie Gras Debate Heats Up on the UWS

Foie Gras Debate Heats Up on the UWS

Monday, March 29th, 2010

foie-gras The question of whether foie gras, the delicacy made from fattened goose or duck liver, should be served in restaurants is an open one that has been raised in recent years by animal activists protesting the presence of it in NYC restaurants. The foie gras debate is heating up again, this time in a couple of high-end Upper West Side restaurants. Last Saturday, the Animal Protection & Rescue League, a San Diego-based animal rights group, set up a protest outside of Telepan (69th between Columbus and Central Park West) to express their disapproval of the restaurant’s serving of foie gras. Now, on the heels of the Telepan protest, Compass (70th between Amsterdam and West End Avenue) has also fielded some complaints about the foie gras’ presence on the menu. Rather than taking the complaints lying down, however, Compass GM Rob Burns is following the lead of Momofuku last year by offering even more foie gras menu options, according to Eater NY. Burns released a statement: “Starting next week we will be offering our guests, that wish to try, a foie gras amuse bouche as well as featuring a different foie gras appetizer every night. We look forward to seeing you!”

The foie gras controversy stems from the fact that ducks and geese are force-fed in order to get an enlarged and fatty liver. Animal rights groups such as the Animal Protection & Rescue League believe that the feeding procedure constitutes cruel and inhumane treatment, while many foie gras supporters (such as Momofuku’s David Chang) contend that there is a massive amount of misinformation about how the animals are treated and foie gras is not obtained through any abusive methods. Bans of foie gras have been instated in several countries, as well as a ban in Chicago restaurants from 2006 to 2008. Read Chang’s statement about the delicacy on Eater NY, check out the APRL’s position, or read about the Telepan protest on Grub Street.