Le Carnad chef and owner Pascal Bedel has taken the controversial foie gras dish off the menu after a year of weekly protests.

A Wellington restaurant has decided to take its signature foie gras dish off the menu after a year of being plagued by animal rights activists.

Le Canard has always stood by its serving of the traditional French pate, which is made from duck or goose livers engorged by overfeeding them with fat-covered grains.

But owner Pascal Bedel said today the weekly protesting by Speak Up For Animals had become ''too much''.

Whenever his full restaurant was hounded by placard-wielding protesters shouting into megaphones, his customers left unhappy and did not return, he said.

His neighbours had also been complaining about the noise that could go on until about 10pm, but police had told him they could do nothing.

''The police should be allowed to do something. but here it's more important for people to protest than to have business.''

''That's the reality of here, I'm just upset about that.''

He was working on a new menu now, and aimed to have foie gras off the menu within the month.

''I still sell a lot but ... I will take it off as soon as I can.''

''We're still doing great food and everything. It's more about the law, it's not about me.''

He hoped the protesting would stop, because if it did not he would have to close, he said.

Speak Up For Animals campaigner Michael Morris was happy to hear they had achieved their mission and gave his word they would leave the restaurant alone.

''We would like to commend Le Canard for making the ethical choice.

''We promised that we would stop protesting as long as it's off the menu and he knew what to do.''

Contact Jody O'Callaghan

Education reporter

Email: jody.o'callaghan@dompost.co.nz

Twitter: @miss_jodyo