Foie Gras Ban

[DisFlan]

I had the foie gras appetizer three weeks ago at the Cali Grill. (It was SO good!) Our server said it would be permanently off the menu within a week or so. Is it really back??

DisFlan

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

And let the flaming begin, because I am now about to say something that will surely aggravate a lot of folks: Anyone who thinks the ducks or geese who are "harvested" for their livers is any less humane than caging chickens and force-feeding them until they are three times their normal size so that we can have our chicken nuggets at Columbia Harbor House, or the slaughter of calves before they've reached maturity so we can have the veal tenderloin with demi-glace at Jiko is sadly deluding themselves. The ducks and geese are treated no worse or differently than any mass-produced animal, including farm-raised seafood. It would be nice if people knew what they were talking about before they made profound observations they've overheard. It's the old argument of the dolphin vs. the tuna. Stand behind all animals and their value as living creatures or stand behind none at all, but never pick and choose. That says more about the inhuman in you than it does about the inhumane treatment of the animal. Unless you are a vegan, your point is moot.

I said pretty much the same thing to a coworker earleir today. If they ban foie gras they should also ban beef, pork and veal.

I'm a bit po'd by the ban (which, BTW, has been confirmed by WDW according to someone I spoke with earlier today). Foie gras isn't something I eat on a weekly or even monthly basis. It's a special occasion thing that I eat a few times per year. I had it at V&A's earlier this year and I thought it was the best course on the menu. We're dining at the Chef's Table next month and I was looking forward to the foie course.

I doubt this has anything to do with the humane treatment of the animals. I see it as another cost-cutting maneuver by Disney, done under the guise of the fois gras controversy.

I don't think it's a coincidence that foie gras is a controversial food and it's been banned by WDW. It really bugs me that they'd cave into the activists at the expense of their guests.

WDW, where dreams come true, unless you dream about duck liver.

 

[princesswendy720]

I love foie gras, I think it's a shame to not offer it to those who also enjoy it or want to try it.

I'd imagine the "ban" has more to do with the economy than giving in to animal rights activists. As PP said, then they'd probably have to start banning other unethical dishes as well such as veal.

Has Disney confirmed that the ban was due to pressure by animal rights activists?

 

[webray]

In years past, I believe WDW temporarily has removed it from the menu during F&W. Maybe that is the case? Or as others have mentioned maybe it is a fiscal decision.

We have always been able to get foie during food and wine fest at Le Bistro...until now.

 

[Condorman]

It's no coincidence that fois gras on the menus of Cali Grill, Jiko and Yachtsman Steakhouse (those are the only ones I can think of for now) was priced around $16 and you could have used the DxDP to get this as your appetizer. Sure, Disney may have capitulated somewhat to activists but they are truly loving the idea of having another expensive item off the menu, one in which they no longer have to lose any margin on.

At this point I'm waiting on the surf and turf, and for that matter, the whole lobster at Narcoossee's, to be removed altogether. Once this happens, all value at WDW F&B outlets will have been lost, particularly with regards to the dining plans. And blaming the economy is no excuse. Menu creativity and variety does not require a $700 billion government bailout.

 

[BriarRosie]

I was seriously bummed when I saw it confirmed that the foie gras was off the menus, because I had been looking forward to having it at California Gril and V&A next week.

I hope that they will bring it back, but I won't be holding my breath for now.

 

[luvpooh]

It's no coincidence that fois gras on the menus of Cali Grill, Jiko and Yachtsman Steakhouse (those are the only ones I can think of for now) was priced around $16 and you could have used the DxDP to get this as your appetizer. Sure, Disney may have capitulated somewhat to activists but they are truly loving the idea of having another expensive item off the menu, one in which they no longer have to lose any margin on.

At this point I'm waiting on the surf and turf, and for that matter, the whole lobster at Narcoossee's, to be removed altogether. Once this happens, all value at WDW F&B outlets will have been lost, particularly with regards to the dining plans. And blaming the economy is no excuse. Menu creativity and variety does not require a $700 billion government bailout.

I can totally get on board with this theory, but then why remove it from V&A and Bistro? They aren't restaurants that participate on the dining plan. In fact, it's a supplemental item on V&A's menu.

Or do you think it's part of the 'humane' ruse? If you remove it from everywhere under that guise, yeah, you may tick off a couple of people that eat at those establishments, but the bottom line wins out regardless?

I agree with the PP that said that foie gras isn't a part of my every day menu, and was always something I looked forward to ordering while on vacation...sigh...just another reason to start looking for another vacation spot (and before someone jumps on me again for being upset about 'one thing' being changed on my vacation and I should just enjoy it anyway, this isn't just one thing, this is the 4th or 5th thing now that has 'changed' or rather, disappeared...)

 

[TDC Nala]

I could believe it's a combination of cost cutting and a stab at political correctness.

Probably leaning more toward political correctness, seeing as foie gras played a major part in the food and wine festival in the past (Hudson Valley Foie Gras representatives usually appeared at the festival and don't anymore - and last year I don't recall ANY Party for the Senses recipes that included foie gras, whereas in a past year I went to a PFTS that had three separate foie gras dishes).

Agreed, this year has meant multiple removals (the Adventurers Club, the food and wine events, the ability to eat at restaurants without booking them months in advance, the foie gras, etc) which don't make me too interested in rushing back.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

For anyone who dines offsite, it's on the menu at Norman's:

http://www.normans.com/

 

[luvpooh]

I could believe it's a combination of cost cutting and a stab at political correctness.

Probably leaning more toward political correctness, seeing as foie gras played a major part in the food and wine festival in the past (Hudson Valley Foie Gras representatives usually appeared at the festival and don't anymore - and last year I don't recall ANY Party for the Senses recipes that included foie gras).

Agreed, this year has meant multiple removals (the Adventurers Club, the food and wine events, the ability to eat at restaurants without booking them months in advance, the foie gras, etc) which don't make me too interested in rushing back.

THANK YOU! The last time I said this on here I was practically strung up by my toes! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way, especially someone I know has similar WDW vacation 'tastes' as I do and one of the top posters whose opinion I respect.

I do remember it being at PFTS in the past but guess that's out of the question now too, even for visiting chefs. IIRC, they did use Foie Gras pretty liberally at the Bocuse D'or competition dinner this year, and the VIP lounge webray posted about, but then it seemed to disappear. I wonder if it was in the works but the Bocuse visiting chefs asked for the ban to be postponed til after the competition.

 

[pearlieq]

Thanks for the tip. I made sure to email to express my appreciation for the move.

I realize there are many differences of opinion, but I think it's a good thing. I don't object to eating meat, but I do think there should be limits on what we do. What needs to be done to get foie gras is too much, in my book.

I like that Disney, as a company, is progressive and trying to do a good thing (and/or cut costs, I suppose).

I'm sure we'll all find something else to console ourselves with...

 

[BriarRosie]

I could believe it's a combination of cost cutting and a stab at political correctness.

Probably leaning more toward political correctness, seeing as foie gras played a major part in the food and wine festival in the past (Hudson Valley Foie Gras representatives usually appeared at the festival and don't anymore - and last year I don't recall ANY Party for the Senses recipes that included foie gras, whereas in a past year I went to a PFTS that had three separate foie gras dishes).

Agreed, this year has meant multiple removals (the Adventurers Club, the food and wine events, the ability to eat at restaurants without booking them months in advance, the foie gras, etc) which don't make me too interested in rushing back.

I remember more foie gras in prior years, too. You'd think if they were going for full on political correctness, they would be pushing for us to all become vegan.

I'll be sending out an email.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I don't have an opinion on this menu change as I've never tried foie gras but saw this article in the Orlando Sentinel and then saw this thread so thought I'd share:

Disney's menu change is good for the goose, not the gourmet

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney1108oct11,0,7039885.story

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I don't have an opinion on this menu change as I've never tried foie gras but saw this article in the Orlando Sentinel and then saw this thread so thought I'd share:

Disney's menu change is good for the goose, not the gourmet

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-disney1108oct11,0,7039885.story

Pretty good article, but Kevin Yee is way off base if he equates banning trans fats and offering apples to the foie gras ban. We're talking mass consumption (foods cooked in trans fats and french fry replacement) vs. an occasional luxury.

 

[luvpooh]

"It's really just about making adjustments to the menu," Disney World spokeswoman Andrea Finger said.

Really, why? Did the foie gras eating guests 'demand' it again? Like they demanded the stroller increases and hmm...what else have we savvy guests demanded lately???

And yeah, comparing trans fat to foie gras, not exactly the same. If I ate foie gras every day, I'd be walking around with gout, or not walking as it may be...

Eh, what are you going to do.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

A concerted effort to inform Disney of our displeasure or possibly go to Zagat and similar reviewers and raise a stink.
I for one do go to high end restaurants anywhere to be held accountable to someone else's idea of a Utopian dietary standard.

 

[TDC Nala]

THANK YOU! The last time I said this on here I was practically strung up by my toes! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way, especially someone I know has similar WDW vacation 'tastes' as I do and one of the top posters whose opinion I respect.

I do remember it being at PFTS in the past but guess that's out of the question now too, even for visiting chefs. IIRC, they did use Foie Gras pretty liberally at the Bocuse D'or competition dinner this year, and the VIP lounge webray posted about, but then it seemed to disappear. I wonder if it was in the works but the Bocuse visiting chefs asked for the ban to be postponed til after the competition.

They wouldn't DARE tell those chefs they can't use foie gras. I guess Disney is socially responsible when it suits them. If that's your political thing, write a note congratulating Disney by all means, but I for one am not that interested in a socially responsible vacation. Before you know it they'll be deciding that food and wine festival attendees drink too much and it'll be just a food festival.

Vegas may be calling...

 

[DisFlan]

I can't speak for the chefs. Some may want it off their menu and others may not. Aside from normal budget restrictions, I think a chef should be able to decide on his/her own menus (and they probably feel the same way). And this may be what's happening. Offering foie gras may simply be getting to be too expensive for a price point most of the restaurants can realistically charge. As a PP mentioned, the "PC" angle may be just an added PR bonus for Disney.

DisFlan

 

[princesswendy720]

Does anyone have the email address that I can use to contact Disney about this?

 

[ghidorah97]

Does anyone have the email address that I can use to contact Disney about this?

Ditto, I'd like to write in as well. So glad that I got my Foie-fix at the Bocuse Grand Gala.