Let Them Eat Foie

PETA Threatens Two O.C. Chefs For Giving Guests Banned Foie Gras

Broadway by Amar Santana gave away twelve pounds of the stuff last week
Broadway by Amar Santana gave away twelve pounds of the stuff last week Photo: Jeremy Couture/Flickr

Noah Blom’s Arc in Costa Mesa, recently called “one of the most important restaurants to open in America this decade” by O.C. critic Brad A. Johnson, is being targeted by PETA for slipping customers a little foie gras. Arc, as well as Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, were both served letters this week that threaten legal action against the restaurants if they continue to give guests the ingredient, which was banned on July 1 on last year, as a complimentary supplement, slipping past the law that forbids its sale. According to The L.A. Times, Broadway was giving guests a free side of foie gras with a $55 glass of wine, selling 50 orders last week for a combined “donation” of twelve pounds of foie, while Blom has been using the delicacy in off-menu dishes like a sauce for a 42-ounce steak.

The chef tells the paper, “PETA has made it more sought-after, creating this cult craze,” while both chefs say it’s not uncommon for other chefs to cook the fattened goose or duck liver when a customer brings it into a restaurant.

But though Santana feels that “No one has the right to tell people what to eat or not eat,” he’s probably going to take a step back now that PETA is on to his game. “Now that I’m on the radar with PETA, I’m more careful. I think they’re sending people already to order it and try to catch me in action.”

PETA threatens to sue O.C. chefs over serving foie gras [LAT]

Earlier: PETA Still Sweating Hot’s Kitchen [GS]
Can We Call This “Bathtub Foie Gras?” [GS]
Reno Turning Into Haven For Foie Gras Lovers [GS]
French Brasserie Offers Free Foie Gras to Californians With ID [GS]

PETA Threatens Two O.C. Chefs For Giving Guests Banned Foie Gras