CHARLOTTE — Animal rights advocates are calling on a popular South End sushi and ramen restaurant to drop foie gras from its menu. The restaurant, YUME, stands by its menu and decries the pressure campaign.
“We respect the opinions of others and value open and peaceful dialogue; however, we do not tolerate violence, disruptive behavior, or threats to the safety of our family and employees,” the YUME management team said in a statement. “Our menu reflects diversity and is thoughtfully crafted to accommodate all types of customers, with all items fully compliant with legal standards.”
The grassroots group Charlotte Coalition Against Foie Gras (CCAFG) said it has sent several emails to YUME about the inclusion of foie gras on the menu. On Thursday, Channel 9 spotted anti-foie gras messages written in chalk outside YUME.
The group calls the required force-feeding to enlarge the livers of ducks for the dish “cruel” and “torture.”
“The management at YUME has been made aware of these practices via email correspondence, in-person meetings with our representatives, and through our public awareness campaigns outside and inside of their restaurants,” the group said. “We would like all restaurants in Charlotte, including YUME, to know that we will continue our campaigns until this barbaric and outdated item is removed from their menus.”
The group said it worked with Mico, Sea Grill, and Dean’s to enact “foie gras-free policies.”
In a statement from management, YUME said future menu availability may change based on supply and demand. Management questioned why they are being targeted.
“With everything that has been happening, the pressing question remains: why are we being specifically targeted, despite the availability of similar offerings elsewhere? We seek clarity and fairness in this matter,” YUME management said.
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