With the statewide ban of foie gras rapidly approaching on July 1st, the GGRA (Golden Gate Restaurant Association), chefs, and culinary professionals are rallying together in an attempt to organize and overturn the ban with the newly formed CHEFS (Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards) organization. The coalition was designed to regulate the industry by supporting farmers who use sustainable and humane farming practices, and is an attempt to prevent the likely black market that will spring up after the ban goes into effect. Let’s hope their efforts are fruitful and a humane middle ground can be reached. Tablehopper will be bringing you more articles on the ban, and the industry reaction, as the deadline nears.
In the meantime, plenty of restaurants around town have put together meals that are farewell love letters to foie gras, and they certainly look delicious. Be sure to snag reservations and tickets now, before it’s too late to get your foie fix! I also have an article in this month’s issue of 7x7 with five of my favorite foie dishes in the city—check it out (I’ll post a link to it once the story is online).
Beginning today, ~FIFTH FLOOR~ is serving a five-course foie gras menu, on offer every night in June. The menu includes foie gras ice cream with fried rhubarb pie, oh hello! The tasting menu is $120, and wine pairings are available for an additional $75. And it doesn’t stop there: they are also mixing a foie gras cocktail called the Wild Goose Chase, which features Armagnac, lemon, honey, and sparkling wine. The garnish is, that’s right, foie gras powder on the rim and a foie-stuffed prune. Reservations on their website.
~NOMBE~ will be toasting to the last days of foie two ways: with foie gras ramen served every day from now until June 15th and with a full five-course Japanese-style foie gras dinner on June 21st. The full tasting menu is a steal at $49.95 (an optional wine and sake pairing is $25). There is still some seating available at 7pm and 9pm.
MARTINS WEST GASTROPUB in Redwood City sold out its first two foie gras dinners, so hurry to snag reservations to the third and final one. This “whole duck dinner” will not only feature foie gras with every course, but also includes duck egg, smoked duck tongue, and slow-cooked duck leg. The full dinner is $125, and reservations are only to be had by calling the restaurant directly at 650-366-4366. What’s more, $50 of each ticket will be donated to the above-mentioned CHEFS.
Underground dinner mavens STAG DINING GROUP are doing a five-course menu event called Foie-ther’s Day, on, you guessed it, Father’s Day. That’s Sunday June 17th, if you hadn’t marked your calendar yet. The menu will be paired with cocktails from Cocktail Lab and Kanon Vodka. Added bonus: if your dad’s a spy, he’ll love the super-secret location (emailed the morning of event, how mysterious!). Cost for the event is $110 and includes cocktails and five courses. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
If a full five foie courses is more than you can take, head to CHAYA BRASSERIE, where seven dishes will be offered à la carte from the Au Revoir to Foie Gras menu from June 18th through 30th.
Here’s a foie knuckle sandwich for ya. Photo: © tablehopper.com.
