Planet Raw

[Guest guest]

The very verbal (written) expressions that have been stated

in reaction to the event that unfolded at Planet Raw with the experience that Tammy

and Chris had is amazing to me.

First, these are my acknowledgements to both Tammy and Chris

for the ‘work’ and their on-going efforts that they do both online and off

line. What they have done for the vegetarian/vegan community over the past

years on our behalf. Thank you.

Reading Tammy and Chris’ posts of their experience at Planet

Raw was disturbing and unfortunate for them without a doubt. As I am sure that

is true as well for the co-owners of the restaurant. In particular for the

chef’s conduct. I was sad to have read that this occurred at all.

I am in agreement with the comments that have been posted by

Greg, Rob, and Jillian. Also by the comments of Wendy on Yelp.

It is also sad to read that people are so quick to attack

the very business that is here to be a service first to the vegetarian/vegan

community and as an ‘outreach’ in a dining experience to the general public.  This seems to me to be like a case of ‘biting

the hand that is feeds you’. This was an untimely event as the result of an

isolated incident on the part of a specific person – the chef’s outburst to

Tammy and Chris. Indeed, untimely in more than one respect. That is for both Tammy

and Chris and for the restaurant itself that is a fledgling operation still

attempting to get started as a viable business.

What a shame for someone to say, he or anyone else is going

to boycott Planet Raw. This seems just like the concept of killing the male

chicks because they have no value to the poultry and egg industries and is

cruel as we all know. Likewise, it is wrong to wish the demise of a business that

is so needed generally speaking and for those of us that live in Contra Costa

County. We found there is now a local place to have very good vegan raw

food. This restaurant does have a purpose and value to the community that needs

our support as much as we need them.

This business opened up in a truly pioneering spirit in Contra Costa County where there is literally nothing to be found for vegans

to have as an option for dinning out.  It

is a great small venture by people who had the courage to take this concept and

action in opening a restaurant that caters to a very select and limited client

base. It is wrong to want to kill off a business that was established for ‘us’

in the vegetarian/vegan community as well as the general public to see and have

a vegan meal that they might not otherwise. I witnessed this by overhearing people dining in Planet Raw where it was evident that this is not their typical dinning choice or much less not their lifestyle.

I do applaud the co-owners efforts to create this restaurant.  I have personally dinned there twice and was

delighted in the meals and service that I received was welcoming and friendly. The

food was delicious and the staff was attentive. One Saturday evening last month

between 6:00 – 7:00 I was able to get the last available table for two. By the

time I finished eating there were four people waiting outside to come in and

dine. This was the busiest that I have seen them. I was glad to see that they

were getting more new and repeat business.

We as vegetarians/vegans and raw foodists need to have such

a great place that offers this rather exclusive type of eating option to dine

at in this area.

Let us be supportive even in the negative light that was

cast in this circumstance. Keeping in mind that none of us are perfect, we all

have our flaws and weaknesses. Under particular and multiple stresses each of

us will tend to vent or ‘crack’ at some point. We do not know what was going on

behind the scenes that led up to the incident. This is not intended to dismiss

or excuse what was wrongly done and expressed by the chef. This is something to be resolved by the co-owners.

I sincerely hope that this will be resolved for all of us as

customers and for Planet Raw to be able to thrive.

Glenn Rosner

[Guest guest]

Glenn,

 

Understand that in saying I plan to boycott Planet Raw, I was just expressing my viewpoint,

which I indicated in the original post by using phrases like “Personally,” and “That’s

just my opinion.” Meaning it’s only one person’s perspective, and everyone needs

to make up their own minds about

whether or not to support Planet Raw. By the same token, it’s my right to boycott any business I want

for any reason, and when “the hand that feeds me” also abuses my trust, then

yeah, I tend to bite back by walking away.

 

So, with all due respect, I don’t see how it’s “a shame” for

me (or anyone) to say that I’m boycotting a restaurant because their chef dishonored

my friends and has shown no signs of remorse. If it is, then freedom of speech sure

isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

 

Neither was it “wrong” of me “to wish the demise of a

business” — because that is absolutely not

what I did. What I said was that I would boycott Planet Raw until they take some form of

responsibility for their chef’s actions. If they don’t, I still maintain that

they haven’t earned their customer’s support, because there is no way of

knowing whether this was merely an “isolated incident” or will happen again.

It’s your right to disagree based on your positive experiences with the

restaurant, but in saying “this is something to be resolved by the co-owners,” remember

that as far as we know, they aren’t doing jack about it, which sends customers

the message that they find chef’s behavior acceptable.

 

But then, these business “professionals” don’t need to

appease me, someone who simply won’t

eat there, because I’m not the one who’s actively engaged in the restaurant’s

demise — that would be Planet Raw’s chef.

 

 

Mat Thomas

www.animalrighter.org 

On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 4:57 PM, Glenn Rosner <gdr.llp wrote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very verbal (written) expressions that have been stated

in reaction to the event that unfolded at Planet Raw with the experience that Tammy

and Chris had is amazing to me.

First, these are my acknowledgements to both Tammy and Chris

for the ‘work’ and their on-going efforts that they do both online and off

line. What they have done for the vegetarian/vegan community over the past

years on our behalf. Thank you.

Reading Tammy and Chris’ posts of their experience at Planet

Raw was disturbing and unfortunate for them without a doubt. As I am sure that

is true as well for the co-owners of the restaurant. In particular for the

chef’s conduct. I was sad to have read that this occurred at all.

I am in agreement with the comments that have been posted by

Greg, Rob, and Jillian. Also by the comments of Wendy on Yelp.

It is also sad to read that people are so quick to attack

the very business that is here to be a service first to the vegetarian/vegan

community and as an ‘outreach’ in a dining experience to the general public.  This seems to me to be like a case of ‘biting

the hand that is feeds you’. This was an untimely event as the result of an

isolated incident on the part of a specific person – the chef’s outburst to

Tammy and Chris. Indeed, untimely in more than one respect. That is for both Tammy

and Chris and for the restaurant itself that is a fledgling operation still

attempting to get started as a viable business.

What a shame for someone to say, he or anyone else is going

to boycott Planet Raw. This seems just like the concept of killing the male

chicks because they have no value to the poultry and egg industries and is

cruel as we all know. Likewise, it is wrong to wish the demise of a business that

is so needed generally speaking and for those of us that live in Contra Costa

County. We found there is now a local place to have very good vegan raw

food. This restaurant does have a purpose and value to the community that needs

our support as much as we need them.

This business opened up in a truly pioneering spirit in Contra Costa County where there is literally nothing to be found for vegans

to have as an option for dinning out.  It

is a great small venture by people who had the courage to take this concept and

action in opening a restaurant that caters to a very select and limited client

base. It is wrong to want to kill off a business that was established for ‘us’

in the vegetarian/vegan community as well as the general public to see and have

a vegan meal that they might not otherwise. I witnessed this by overhearing people dining in Planet Raw where it was evident that this is not their typical dinning choice or much less not their lifestyle.

I do applaud the co-owners efforts to create this restaurant.  I have personally dinned there twice and was

delighted in the meals and service that I received was welcoming and friendly. The

food was delicious and the staff was attentive. One Saturday evening last month

between 6:00 – 7:00 I was able to get the last available table for two. By the

time I finished eating there were four people waiting outside to come in and

dine. This was the busiest that I have seen them. I was glad to see that they

were getting more new and repeat business.

We as vegetarians/vegans and raw foodists need to have such

a great place that offers this rather exclusive type of eating option to dine

at in this area.

Let us be supportive even in the negative light that was

cast in this circumstance. Keeping in mind that none of us are perfect, we all

have our flaws and weaknesses. Under particular and multiple stresses each of

us will tend to vent or ‘crack’ at some point. We do not know what was going on

behind the scenes that led up to the incident. This is not intended to dismiss

or excuse what was wrongly done and expressed by the chef. This is something to be resolved by the co-owners.

I sincerely hope that this will be resolved for all of us as

customers and for Planet Raw to be able to thrive.

Glenn Rosner