Exploding Escargot, “Friggin’ Rudeness” and Hot Garlic Butter Lead to Small Claims Court

Two California businessmen have reportedly filed a complaint in small claims
court against a Marin County restaurateur, alleging that they were sprayed with
hot garlic butter from an exploding snail. Chadwick St.-O’Harra, a former law
student, and Steve Righetti were apparently celebrating Righetti’s birthday at
a seafood restaurant, when the escargot purportedly exploded, dousing their
faces and polo shirts.

The men reportedly claim that the incident caused both “humiliation” and “a sense of genuine outrage” and that the restaurateur allegedly responded with “indifference” and “friggin’ rudeness.” The two were dining on a filet-and-lobster combo and a seafood medley and did not reportedly seek immediate medical treatment, choosing instead to finish their meals.

According to the restaurant owner, the incident never happened and escargot does not explode. Still, some in the industry have characterized “escargot explosion” as a “rare but periodic phenomenon” that can be attributed to air bubbles trapped inside the shells during preparation. Trial is scheduled for December 3, 2010. See USA Today, November 15, 2010.