Restaurants prepare for foie gras ban

CHICAGO, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- With Chicago's ban on foie gras taking effect in less than two weeks, restaurants are holding farewell feasts and plotting a legal challenge to the law.

Some are even planning to flout the spirit -- and possibly the letter -- of the law by giving away the pricey duck livers and charging an exorbitant price for the accompanying garnishes, the Chicago Tribune reports.

"My guests like it, they expect it to be on my menu and it's going to continue to be," said Michael Tsonton of Copperblue Restaurant. "If we're the first ones to be hauled off to jail, so be it."

The city council passed the foie gras ban in response to claims by animal rights activists that the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese to get the delicacy is cruel. Chicago Chefs for Choice has raised money to take the issue to court.

"We -- the restaurateurs and the producers and the distributors -- are committed to taking this action, and they are confirmed in their belief that the ordinance is out of bounds and violative of both Constitution and state law," said Chris Robling of the Artisan Farmers Association, which is cooperating in the lawsuit.