Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004
By Erin James
Collegian Staff Writer

'Tis the season for controversial poultry dishes.

Partly in response to the weekend protests of Alliance for Animal Rights (AAR) members, the owners of Zola New World Bistro, 324 W. College Ave., have decided to remove foie gras from its menu selection and replace it with organically fed, free-range duck liver.

The business had previously considered eliminating foie gras -- a French delicacy of goose or duck liver -- but were hesitant to make a quick decision to appease protesters, Zola co-owner Paul Kendeffy said. "We're doing this for ourselves," he said

Foie gras is made by inserting a metal pipe down the birds' throats three times a day to force food into their stomachs.

Although Kendeffy agrees with AAR's cause, he said the group demanded unrealistic immediate action.

AAR protested outside Zola for the past three weekends, calling for a boycott of the restaurant unless it stopped serving foie gras.

The original menu item has not been served since Friday, although protesters remained outside the restaurant, Kendeffy said.

AAR Secretary Daniel D'eramo said he would not call Zola's decision a victory until more questions are answered.

For example, the club would like to know Zola's plan for a menu replacement, D'eramo said.

"If it's true, I definitely feel great about it," he said.

Also, requests for the owners to sign a pledge stating foie gras would no longer be served at Zola were denied, D'eramo said.

Kendeffy said Zola has received "threatening" and "rude" e-mail messages from people claiming to be affiliated with AAR.

AAR President Jessica Parry said the e-mails were sent by a few AAR members and did not represent the entire group's feelings.

"We would never intentionally ruin our credibility," she said.

At one point, the protesters blocked the entrance to Zola, leading to police intervention, Kendeffy said. "It's just something you don't do."

Parry said AAR received wrong information from law enforcement about where protests could legally be held.

"One time we were unsure where we were allowed to stand on the sidewalk," Parry said. "We thought that they just owned the building."

Zola co-owner Dave Fonash said the protesters' actions contradicted the organization's principles.

"From our end, we've tried to respect the rights of this country," he said.

If the dish continues to stay off of Zola's menu, AAR will stop protesting, Parry said.

"We will move on to another restaurant," she said. "We're going to focus on foie gras."