If the recent ban in California has you thinking of your foie gras options in Atlanta, you’re not alone. The controversial and delectable fatty liver has been showing up on the menus of a few of the most prominent new restaurants in town. The Spence and White Oak Kitchen are featuring some plates with it, while the Lawrence has the more subtle inclusion of “foie butter” in their stuffed poussin.
Of course, the dish is controversial here, too. Last year, protesters camped out at Restaurant Eugene and Holeman and Finch for serving foie gras, which prompted the restaurant to respond with a thoughtful, thorough statement about the protests.
The continued controversy in California does seem to be inspiring something of a renewed interest in foie gras, though. There were much-publicized all-foie-dinners and farewells. And , oddly, it doesn’t look like the California ban is going to be enforced.
In any case, there’s no shortage of foie gras in Atlanta. Our faithful food intern Evan Mah dug up the list below, which we think is just about every place in town to get your foie fix. I had the foie gras terrine and green peaches at the Spence last night, pictured above, which was nothing short of stunning.
Should you still be on the fence, I’ve included a few videos below about foie gras farming. Two of them feature Anthony Bourdain visiting foie gras farms in France and New York, including the Hudson Valley farm where a number of Atlanta restaurants source the ingredient. The other is one of those scary PETA clips of an industrial farm, as narrated by Kate Winslet.
Aria | Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Georgia Strawberries, Black Pepper Gastrique
Atmosphere | Seared duck Foie Gras, Brioche Toasted Bread. Sliced Fresh Apple, White Port and Truffle Honey Reduction
Bacchanalia | Confit Foie Gras Torchon, Georgia Peach, Ginger, Almond, Young Chervil
Bistro Niko | Duck Foie Gras & Cubed Ham Hock Terrine, Apple Compote
Kevin Rathbun Steak | Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Daily Accoutrements
La Fourchette | Chicken Liver-Foie Gras Paté, House Jam, Brioche
Le Petite Maison Bistro |Homemade Foie Gras, Toast, and Season Fruits Chutney
Nikolais’ Roof | Pan Seared & Terrine of Foie Gras with Pecan Gallette, Quince Mascarpone, Honey Roasted Beets & Micro Watercress
Peasant Bistro | Torchon of Foie Gras, Pickled Onions, Brioche Toast, Port reduction
Restaurant Eugene | Seared Duck Foie Gras, Preserved Summer Berries, Hazelnut Tart, Lemon Marmalade
The Shed at Glenwood | Foie Gras Terrine, Country Bread, Pear Jam
The Spence | Foie Gras Terrine and Green Peaches
Viande Rouge |Hudson Valley Foie Gras
White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails | Tennessee Farms Foie Gras Torchon, Bacon Jam, Hardy Farm’s Peanuts, Brioche, Banana Effervescent
