Presidio Circumvents Foie Gras Ban, Only Restaurant in Calif. With French Delicacy
California recently enacted banning the delicacy foie gras in the entire state, but one restaurant in northern California was able to circumvent the new state law, outraging supporters of the ban.
For San Francisco's Presidio Social Club, the new state law does not apply to them simply due to the fact that the restaurant is located on federally-owned land. The restaurant's owner, Ray Tang, explained that because his business is located within Presidio National Park, that allows him not to have to abide by the state law.
"We're not trying to start a riot or exploit any loopholes," Tang told The Huffington Post. "We're just wanted to let our customers know that this is an option."
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In a statement provided to customers, Tang revealed that the restaurant was free from the fatty liver ban while also inviting patrons to partake in the festivities of Bastille Day party, which would include foie gras sliders on homemade brioche buns:
"As a result of being on federal land, the Presidio Social Club (PSC) is exempt from the state-wide ban on heavenly Foie Gras. Therefore, PSC will be celebrating two important independences this July: Bastille Day for the French, and the freedom to enjoy Foie Gras for Californians."
Not everyone was happy with the Presidio Social Club being exempt from observing the statewide ban on foie gras.
"If Presidio Social Club keeps going down this road, this will be a battle for the lawyers for certain," Lindsay Rajt, spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said.
"It's upsetting to see businesses trying to exploit loopholes, and you can bet that protesters will be picketing and showing footage outside their doors," she added.
Foie Gras is a French delicacy that uses a duck or gooses liver. It is defined as a liver that has been fattened by gavage or force-feeding.
