I too thought it was strange that only one restaurant would be picketed. They cannot be the only Baltimore restaurant that serves foie gras! I am always struck by people's interest in these niche issues when there are so many other more pressing concerns in this human race we run each day. But, to each his own and I hope that I met the number two guideline. By the way, welcome back. Even though you blogged each day, it is better when you are here amongst us!

Thanks very much. It's certainly easier. I had a desktop, yes, but it was dial up and I think it had a virus.

You caught a virus? :)

I LOVE foie gras. I grew up eating liver spreads on a hot bread.

And yes, why not veal too, or just beef in general. I heard, though unconfirmed by me, that they make the Kobe beef cows drink beer (if it were most adult men, I'm sure the cows wouldn't mind). How cruel!

I actually wonder if the protesters have helped or hurt Salt's business. Because it is the only place in Baltimore that's being picketed, it's getting it's name out there more than it otherwise might.

I had dinner there a few months ago and noticed that everyone picketing was fairly polite (all they said to my friends and I was, "You look nice tonight. Please don't eat at Salt.")

Of course, we did eat at Salt, and we had a great meal. But the protesters definitely didn't detract. If anything, they added a little interesting drama to the night.

One positive thing I learned while eating at Salt Saturday night is they now take reservations since the protests started. Our meals on Saturday night were delicious as always

Eating ain't pretty. From beginning to end the process of getting food in (and yes, out) of us is not a pretty sight.

Whether talking about vegan or non-vegan food stuffs, the process is pretty bad. Consider the conditions of field labourers picking crops. Consider artificial insemination (see Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs for that one). Bringing animals to market is really not good to dwell upon. Processed foods are another area ripe with ugly. (As a kid I made the mistake of reading the ingredients label on Scrapple: only once. Still love it, but stay away from that label.)

Food on a plate can be a problem too. I'm sure my very rare steak puts off the person at the next table with a well-done steak.

Finally, if you want to consider the whole process, don't forget waste management: from food scrapes, dish washing and our own special contribution to the process. Again if you want to see it, Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel for those who have not found about the best show on TV) has covered just about all of this.

So, the morale: those protesting will never be happy with the eating habits of the world (or themselves if they stop being so myopic), if they consider the whole process. We have to eat and what I may find acceptable you might not. Be civil, and let me get back to my steak tar tar.

The protesters at Salt, and other animal rights activists, are victims and purveyors of propaganda. The misinformation campaigns rely on over the top emotional appeals and down right lies.

Foie gras production has been studied by independent scientists and veterinarians who have concluded that the hand-feeding of the ducks causes them no harm. They do not experience pain, fear, or disease.

Foie gras is an easy target because there are only two small farms in the United States producing it. Outlawing it would be an easy victory for people like PETA who don't even want us to have seeing-eye dogs or fish tanks.

For more information about the animal welfare aspects of foie gras production, check out the links at http://legalfoiegras.blogspot.com/ .

I didn't know that Salt is serving foie gras. Time to make a reservation!

What I do not understand about these people who are such in arms about foie gras is their lack of understanding about just what is going on in their food supply. These same people have never toured or examined the processes at foie gras farms, such as Hudson Valley in New York State.

Meanwhile, our entire food supply is churning out foods that are simply horrific. From overcrowded corn fed beef to housed pigs to feces-eating chicken, our food supply is tainted yet these people protest the usage of free-range duck liver???

Unlike many people, I've toured the farms, the slaughterhouses and processing plants to know exactly how my food is raised, where it comes from and how it becomes that drumstick, ribeye or tenderloin. It's time that we get on track with learning and knowing where our food comes from and demanding that our food supply changes - not act as a bunch of first-world yuppies and hipsters protesting liver.

I hope that this hot button issue fades into the darkness, but undoubtedly something else will take its place when it does. I admittedly, and unrepentantly, eat a variety of food matched to the variety of purpose intended for the teeth in my mouth. I just don't see how anyone can draw the line between humane and inhumane slaughter, but I'd love to talk about it over a nice bottle of wine and maybe even something low on the foodchain!

Growing up on the Eastern Shore, I know all about how meat goes from the farm to my plate.

And I'm fine with it.

What I'm not fine with is the fancy french words I can't pronounce that we use to describe fattened duck liver.

I think it's time to protest.

Salt, anyone?

Responding to Robert's post:

mmm....scrapple... :)

This topic always bothers me. Like you, I realize that there are probably practices that go on in food production that would bother me if I dwelt on them. I don't support cruelty to animals (or people) at all, but there's a difference between killing an animal and torturing it first. I'm not the one to say that force feeding is or isn't torture, but it's disturbing at any rate.

To answer one of your questions though, the protesters have moved on to Salt after successful protests at Timothy Dean, which did remove foie gras from the menu. I imagine it's difficult to drum up enough people to simultaneously picket every restaurant that serves it.

I too grew up on the Eastern Shore and actually got to tour the Kirby & Holloway scrapple (and sausage)factory for a project at a former job. I don't eat scrapple, but all of the ghastly preconceived images of what I thought a factory full of animal bi-products would look like turned out to be false. It was actually one of the most pristine & clean factories (although there was a slightly foul odor) of any sort that I've ever been in. I've seen restaurant kitchens that appeared far less sanitary. I still don't eat scrapple, but it's not because it's made from "the scraps on the slaughterhouse floor."

TSO Robert and Doug, if you really like scrapple, visit the Apple Harvest Festival in Biglerville, PA (near Gettysburg). It's held the first two weekends in October. You can watch scrapple being made (interesting, not "icky") then buy it in (2 pound?) loaf pans. I don't like commercially-made scrapple, but this stuff has a wonderful texture and is full of corn taste. I cut it in portions and freeze them. OR, you might find homemade scrapple at the Pennsylvania Dutch Market on York Road in Cockeysville.

I love the twists and turns this blog takes: foie gras to scapple in a single bound. Thanks Dottie for the info. I'm generally a Rapa fan.

Now if I can just figure out sociaotags. I'm thinking with my appellation, sociotags are not going to play a big part in my life. Maybe if I was closer to 14 ...

I suppose these protesters can only confront one restaurant at a time. After Salt, on to the next one. Of course, they are going after a "low-hanging" fruit, in their minds, but they really are missing the forest for the trees. No animal exploitation is necessary or acceptable, and we really ought to be having a discussion as to why people feel it is acceptable to treat animals as objects simply because of traditions and cultural biases against the interests of nonhuman animals. It's time to rethink our assumptions and extend our consideration of the suffering of others to our fellow earthlings.

I'm not sure how many restaurants in Baltimore serve Foie Gras. I know Petit Louis does, but I can't see the protestors protesting there. I don't think animal rights activists or vegans are even allowed in Roland Park. I'm pretty sure there is something in the covenant that forbids their kind.

I guess theres 2 Eric's here now? =)

The last time we ate at Bicycle, they had more than one foie gras special. I am not a vegetarian, but I do not eat foie gras (or veal) but the two people I was with really enjoyed their foie gras, so I kept my scruples (not to be confused with scrapple) to myself.

I'm sorry, Darlene, did you say you had scrapple about scruples or scruples about scrapple?

That was scruples about scrapple, Robert (and veal, and foie gras, and hamburgers, too!)

Greg S has it right; food doesn't start out in the meat case at the grocery store. Having said that, if you choose to not eat meat, then fine...that's your decision and it should be respected. In fact, chefs should endeavour to make outstanding vegetarian meals and not just throw a bunch of grilled vegetables together. However, those that choose to eat meat (and things like foie gras, sweetbreads, and related) should have their choices and decisions respected, but that doesn't happen.

Well, it may not be logical, Patrick, but while I stick to my scruples about scrapple, etc., we adore sweetbreads. A restaurant that can do justice to sweetbreads gets my vote every time. I cooked them ONCE--and never again (just too much prep work!)

Ah, Darlene, I knew I loved you. Did you ever have sweetbreads at the original Ambassador? Now that was a great restaurant. Marconi's did wonderful sweetbreads too.

You know the really sad thing: there are more places in my Love Them, but they are gone, than in my Love Them, and they are still open. (Hey BA, how about that for a topic.)

One of the Top Tens on my to do list is Places We Miss Terribly

Ah, great minds. I figure between us there is one great mind. My money is on you having it. Oh, and don't forget Sibler's Bakery (and I won't even start on the cookies, pasties, breads ... oh, and the peach cake)

Robert, at last we agree on something! I am kicking myself for never having ordered the sweetbreads at the original Ambassador or Marconi's back in the day. Our favorite place for sweetbreads is the Back Porch in Rehoboth Beach (now closed for the winter, unfortunately). You've got a second for the peach cake as well.

Aren't there other causes more worthy of protest in our city, our nation, and our world. Why even pick on a little restaurant? Why not go into Fell's Point to protest the Chef of an over-rated restaurant there that had an article in the City Paper that stated she loved all game birds, especially foie gras? That restaurant probably sells more foie gras than any other establishment in the city. Instead these idiots go to a small neighborhood spot and super glue the front door lock, later shoot out the glass door, and who knows what's next. This group protested a store that sells fur coats in Towson. There fornt door lock was super glued, glass door shot at, and the building was eventually spray painted. Do we want people like this in our communities?

Actually, Salt is NOT the only restaurant being targeted, and foie gras is not the only 'food' that is subject to protesters. It's just that foie gras is more selectively served than veal or other 'dishes'. It's easier to target those restaurants and possibly get a response from owners because they are few and far between. Also, while most of the general public knows what veal is, many people have never heard of foie gras and aren't aware of the terrible cruelty involved in getting that dead duck's liver on to a dinner plate.
All of this is just now being brought to light - and only a few restaurants are making a stink about removing it from their menus. That's why it SEEMS that only a few restaurants are being called out.

Kit, Salt is not the only restaurant being picketed. Approximatly 15 restaurants have been contacted and or visited with dozens more to come.

Todd Camp you are an idiot. The point of the protests is to educate and make others aware of the cruelties that animals have to endure to feed and clothe people that chose that life style. It is not the protesters that are doing damage to the store it is probably people like you that has nothing better to do then to make the protesters seem like bad and harmful people. Have you ever stood up for something that you believe? Educate yourself before you open your mouth and make unwanted comments about people that actually have the balls to stand up for what they believe.

I'd really like this discussion not to get so personal. Please make your arguments without attacking other posters. Thanks.

If only some vigilante foodies would come and turn the hoses on the protestors. At the very least it would give these hippies a well needed shower.

Robert from Cross Keys wrote: At the very least it would give these hippies a well needed shower.

Hah, things have come full circle and now you sound like your parents. :-)

Thanks, Robert! A little levity was really needed. These people are getting really nasty.

Time for a Rodney King moment--can't we all just get along? At least on this blog ...

If we're really talking about "educating ourselves", then perhaps those protesters who are so enraged by foie gras to protest and terrorize people over it should educate themselves about our national food chain.

If they were to spend that energy educating themselves on the methodology of raising commercial poultry, cattle and pigs - I can't imagine that they would even bother with a relatively benign matter such as foie gras farming. The horror just does not compare.

Compare the lives of a foie gras duck at Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York State to that of the chicken at any Purdue-related farm and the difference is stunning.

Jay C., why would you think the protesters aren't educated about all the other factory farming/animal agriculture practices simply because they happen to be currently protesting restaurants that serve foie gras? You really should do a little educating yourself about this group, BARC, what they are about, and all their campaigns before you make such a statement. BARC is involved in all aspects of reducing and ending animal cruelty and suffering. In fact, they do more general vegetarian outreach and education far more than anything else.

Todd, let me get this straight. You think it is ok to go to Fells and protest a restaurant, but they are not allowed in Butchers Hill to protest a restaurant. A bit prejudice don't you think. Now who is the idiot, Todd?

Jay C., you sound like a factory farming guru. Could you please tell me what the difference between a Purdue chicken and a Hudson Vally duck? I am dying in my battery cage to hear this one!

"The protesters at Salt, and other animal rights activists, are victims and purveyors of propaganda. The misinformation campaigns rely on over the top emotional appeals and down right lies. Foie gras production has been studied by independent scientists and veterinarians who have concluded that the hand-feeding of the ducks causes them no harm. They do not experience pain, fear, or disease. Foie gras is an easy target because there are only two small farms in the United States producing it. Outlawing it would be an easy victory for people like PETA who don't even want us to have seeing-eye dogs or fish tanks."

Wow, the milk of human kindness certainly runs through you, why is it that the only time some people wax tear concern over "human problems" is when animals are being abused and tortured and a very few, brave people attempt to call attention to them. As far as the AMVA goes, they have also sanctioned most cruel factory farm practices as well as puppy mills. They helped to defeat the Puppy Protection Act of 2001 which would have been a huge blow to puppy mills (and probably the financial death of the American Kennel Club who receives 30 million year from registering "papers" from puppy mills). The AMVA also "approves" steel leg hold traps, which also kill and maim thousands of companion animals every year. About a quarter of them escape by chewing off a limb, the rest are clubbed, drowned or suffocated. I wonder if they feel any "discomfort"? Perhaps this is simply another example of AR "propaganda"
http://www.upc-online.org/avma/AVMAad.pdf

"Unfortunately, farmed-animal industry representatives have, in most instances to date, been able to dictate policies surrounding their industries, despite the obvious and scientifically irrefutable evidence of extreme cruelty involved in many of the systems and practices employed. As one veterinarian, Peggy Larson, D.V.M., put it, “Most of the association’s policies promote animal industries at the expense of … animal welfare, including promoting practices that cause great harm, pain and unplanned death.” Why does the AVMA support such practices? Says current AVMA President Dr. Bonnie Beaver, who seems to be honestly attempting to reverse some of the AVMA’s most obscene positions, “It is important for each of us to recognize that we may at times become too close to the industries we serve, losing our objectivity about what is the best welfare and adopting instead that suggested by the industry." http://www.avmahurtsanimals.com/hurts.asp

Farm Sanctuary has recently released new and shocking undercover footage taken at Elevages Perigord, Canada’s largest foie gras production facility. The footage reveals the abuse in every stage of production from hatchery to force feeding to slaughter house. Canada is responsible for 80 to 90 percent of foie gras imports to the U.S. To clarify, we are talking about force feeding of ducks and geese kept in squalid, filthy cages in various stages of painful illness and death throes due to enlarged livers, stress and disease, some literally bursting from over feeding and being eaten alive by rats, too sick to even move. If you lack the intestinal fortitude to see first hand what you have so strongly endorsed, you may view film footage of a fois gras farm at http://jewishveg.com/asacredduty/. The feature film "A Sacred Duty" was made in Israel, a country that has banned fois gras. Copies of this film may be obtained free from the website or viewed in it's entirety on-line.

In spite of many years supporting basic animal advocacy issues, I am continuously mystified at the moral bankruptcy of individuals such as yourself. Helping to alleviate at least a small amount of suffering in this world requires little to no effort except to modify your diet. Furthermore, it seems that you yourself are a victim of "propaganda". I do not know of a single animal advocate who complains about "seeing eye dogs". Furthermore, most of us also have multiple rescue pets and or work in shelters or some other form of animal welfare. Farm Sanctuary lobbies, advocates and rescues. Also what is with the poster Lizzie Vonhurst? I am seeing her "pro- foie gras" posts all over the place? Do you work for one of the two companies that produce it or have you just decided that this is your "issue". What, not enough human suffering to occupy your time and energy? Why don't people ever accuse those who shill for filthy industries like this of "not caring about people!".

Really.