Steve Wecker has encountered foie gras protesters before, but never have they made their opposition to the goose liver delicacy so tangible as they did this week.

Sometime between the close of Wecker’s Iron Bridge Wine Company Sunday night and the chef’s arrival Monday at 7 a.m., someone smashed four windows at the establishment, jammed its locks with glue and painted in red across the stone entranceway, “Get rid of foie gras,” according to Wecker, who serves as a managing partner along with his brother Rob Wecker.

Howard County police spokeswoman Elizabeth Schroen said the department is investigating a report of destruction of property at the restaurant, which is located on Route 108 in Columbia.

Foie gras is liver from a fattened goose or duck. Some groups say the manner in which the delicacy is produced is inhumane because it can involve over-feeding or forced feeding, and they therefore object to its sale.

According to Iron Bridge’s menu online, foie gras is an ingredient in its country pate. Steve Wecker contends that the production of foie gras is not what it used to be, and isn’t inhumane as it once was in 1970s France.

“Our position is, if you don’t agree with us that’s OK, you don’t have to support us,” Wecker said.

Wecker removed foie gras from the menu for a brief period in 2008, following protests that also led the popular Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant in downtown Ellicott City to discontinue its use of foie gras.

But after hearing complaints from customers who missed the item, Wecker brought it back, he said.

“More people wanted it on the menu than off,” he said. “We made a decision that we weren’t going to be over-the-top with it, but that we would offer it.”

Wecker estimated the damages to his restaurant at between $3,000 and $4,000.

“It’s childish; it’s cowardice,” he said of the vandalism. “Today it’s about foie gras, tomorrow it’ll be beef, then chicken. Soon enough, you’ll be able to order your tofu five ways and that’ll be it.”

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user comments (6)

user mdl7 says...

I hope that they do not succumb to these acts of terrorism. Actually cowardly acts of terrorism. If these cowards actually had the backbone and a strong enough belief in their cause - they would do it in broad daylight and face the consequences. We have never been to Iron Bridge, but if the owner stands his ground we will support him by dining there.

Posted 11:14 AM, 03.24.09 | Permalink

user timbers13 says...

That's ridiculous. I oppose foie gras because it's disgusting ;) If you don't like it, rant at your local blog site. No need to vandalize

Posted 6:30 PM, 03.24.09 | Permalink

user pr1975 says...

I’m more worried by drivers who have had too much wine pulling out in front of me from this so called restaurant. This place should have never been allowed to open in the first place. This place is just an accident waiting to happen.

Posted 4:22 AM, 03.25.09 | Permalink

user mdl7 says...

Well since pr1975 wants to bring up accidents waiting to happen - can we do something about Rita's on Frederick and St John's in Ellicott City? That is one huge mess, especially when making a left off of south bound St Johns onto east bound Frederick Road.

Posted 7:54 AM, 03.25.09 | Permalink

user winoii says...

Posted 2:20 PM, 03.25.09 | Permalink

user winoii says...

Purchase some security cameras.

Posted 2:21 PM, 03.25.09 | Permalink