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De Niro at Center of Celeb Food Fight

Actor's restaurant chain causes uproar with use of endangered tuna

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2009 2:26 PM CDT

(Newser) – Celebrities including Sienna Miller, Charlize Theron, and Sting are joining the food fight against famed restaurant Nobu, the New York Post reports. Activists are demanding the Japanese eatery, co-owned by Robert De Niro, remove endangered bluefin tuna from its pricey menu so they can “dine with a clear conscience.” Another co-owner promises, “We are going to do the right thing.”

But the restaurant chain has resisted so far. The lowdown: bluefin, which is swimming toward extinction, makes the best tuna sushi. “I won't be satisfied until Nobu and all other restaurants that serve bluefin tuna start putting pressure on retailers to stop selling it,” said a filmmaker who chronicled the issue.

Robert DeNiro is a co-owner of Nobu.
Robert DeNiro is a co-owner of Nobu.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Robert DeNiro greets sushi chef Yoshio Ono at DeNiro's newest restaurant, Nobu Waikiki at the Waikiki Parc Hotel in Honolulu.
Robert DeNiro greets sushi chef Yoshio Ono at DeNiro's newest restaurant, Nobu Waikiki at the Waikiki Parc Hotel in Honolulu.   (AP Photo/Halekulani Corp., Marco Garcia)
Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa co-owns Nobu with Robert DeNiro.
Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa co-owns Nobu with Robert DeNiro.   (Getty Images)
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As fans and customers of Nobu, we feel strongly that bluefin tuna must be completely removed from your menu. If Nobu took a definitive stand on this issue, it could make a critical difference. - Activist letter to owners of Nobu

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
PosterNutbag
Jun 6, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
perhaps babies will make it on to the high end sushi market in the not-too-distant future.
SBS
Jun 6, 2009 5:05 AM CDT
I agree with the first part, don't like it, don't eat there. If you are opposed use whatever methods (legal) to educate people to your objection.
riffran
Jun 6, 2009 4:36 AM CDT
dont like it dont eat there.......hmmmm sashimi, and futo maki, and nigiri with fresh kombu, and wasabi, and gari, and a sweet dipping sauce

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