Yesterday, August 22nd, was the last day that foie gras was served in Chicago without penalty to restaurateurs. All across the city, diners were savoring their last few bites of the rich, fatty delicacy that could be purchased within the city limits.
And instead of expressing resignation, people are still worked up over the ban. Chicago Mayor Daley, who had a change to veto the ban but did not take it, wants the City Council to reconsider and says that he won't push for aggressive enforcement of the law. Daley asserts that only a handful of restaurants even serve the food, though other sources note that even a number of "downscale" places added it to their menus, making the total higher than Daley's guess of 5 or 6 restaurants.
The city council has no intention of repealing the ban, according to Alderman Joe Moore, especially because they are not alone in banning foie gras, joining ten European countries and California that have total or partial bans on the manufacture and sale of the delicacy. Alderman also notes that the Mayor cannot "pick and choose which laws to enforce," so the ban will receive the same attention as other matters.
For those still looking to get a taste of foie gras in Chicago, chef Tony Mantuano at Spiaggia is serving up a vegetarian version "made from chickpeas, vin santo and olive oil, among other ingredients" on crostini. At Tru, the caviar lounge is serving a "faux gras" made with chicken liver.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-23-2006 @ 12:09PM
MJ said...
This is a disgrace. They are controlling too much.....What next??????????????
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8-23-2006 @ 12:16PM
Dmnkly said...
The National Restaurant Association filed suit yesterday in an attempt to overturn the ordinance. I understand they'll be seeking an injunction next week (apologies if my legalese is shaky... not a lawyer :-). Also, many restaurants are still serving it today, either as a giveaway (the ordinance bans the sale), or in open defiance. Many of those now serving it had never served it before the whole issue of the ban came up in the first place.
In any case, by all anecdotal accounts (at least in the short term), the ban hasn't reduced consumption at all... in fact, it appears to have fueled an explosion in the consumption of foie gras in Chicago.
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8-23-2006 @ 1:52PM
OPAlex said...
Lunacy! Pure Lunacy!
It does seem as if the good Alderpersons of Chicago have taken a second helping from the Restaurant Owners in the fair City of Chicago. First it was a smoking ban, now this.
But to give the Aldermen and Alderwomen their due, they are consistent. The so-called “Big Box” ordinance that they passed has evidently resulted in the cancellation of construction of several new stores from Target and Wall-Mart. The large retailers can and possibly will close individual stores in the face of adverse legislation. The problem is that a restaurant cannot just close and move. Restaurant owners put a lot of capital into construction of a eating establishment, and are reluctant to walk away from the communities they serve.
But there is good news! The City Council of Chicago is considering banning the sale of foods containing trans-fatty acids – read Fast Food establishments. Wonder how the City will survive without "Mickey D" and his brothers?
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8-23-2006 @ 9:12PM
Rebecca said...
I think everyone should get over it....there are some things that are so cruel and disgusting that they should be banned....how would you like to live your life being forcefed until you die so that some self absorbed being could eat your liver? Re-examine yourself....this is a cruel and inhumane practice that should be banned forever.
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8-23-2006 @ 9:23PM
Dmnkly said...
"how would you like to live your life being forcefed until you die."
I respect the difference of opinion, Rebecca, but please get your facts straight. At least at the main producers in the states, they live in extreme comfort by any farming standard (far, far better than most chickens, for example), and they're then force fed for two weeks before they're slaughtered.
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9-29-2006 @ 11:53AM
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