Foie Gras Still Available in California, but Do You Care?

Le sigh or le yawn?

By Lesley Balla

The California foie gras ban has been in place for exactly 17 days, and after all the hype leading up to it - the dinners, the deals, the rhapsodizing about it - it sounded like some diners were just tired of hearing about it. Of course, maybe these people didn't care for the fatty, rich delicacy to begin with, or only ate it on special occasions. Whether you believe the government should have a hand in this sort of regulation or not (most gourmands and chefs are vehemently against it for myriad reasons), foie gras is still an issue. This week a judge decided that it's still illegal, but it's also still very, very available.

According to Grub Street, foie is served as a complimentary side to the burger at Hot's Kitchen in Hermosa Beach, and along with a $19 baguette at the new Kitchen Table in Downtown LA. Former Cafe Pinot chef Kevin Meehan may or may not be serving it at Kali Dining. In the OC, you can find special speakeasy-type deals at Santa Ana's Playground and at Cafe Mimosa in San Clemente. We're pretty sure we saw a Facebook restaurant chef friend with several lobes in their possession, though we're not sure what they're doing with it.

So what do you think: Should chefs flaunt their eff-you fingers and serve foie? Is it a marketing gimmick? Will you go to a restaurant just because you can get the stuff? Are you jonesing for some torchon yet? We, for one, are a little sad we didn't get Animal's foie gras biscuit before we couldn't anymore. Please share your thoughts - or let us know of more underground foie-road stuff - in comments.