La Palette to be Targetted by Animal Rights Protest

Kensington Market's La Palette (256 Augusta Avenue, 416-929-4900) will be the site of a demo this weekend when animal rights protesters picket the chic little bistro for serving fois gras.

Whatever your feelings about force-feeding geese, it seems ironic at best when activists target other activists; La Palette owner Shamez Amlani is a strong suppporter of numerous social and environmental causes, and has spearheaded Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington. Meanwhile, he points out, all the much bigger and pricier restos in town also sell fois gras, as do chain supermarkets like Loblaws. Amlani punningly declares he feels people have a "right to paté."

Nothing daunted, the following weekend, an even-more-special-than-usual dinner is planned for the intimate boite, when La Palette offers its $100-a-plate Valentine's Day dinner. Amlani figures they'll be sold out by this weekend, so call fast if you're interested. (No word whether they'll be serving fois gras.)

By the way, Richard Trapunski and Scott Tavener of Martiniboys have put together a great list of Valentine's Day dinner suggestions, including some special menus and some places that are sure bets for romantic dinners 365 days a year.