please stop this @Graffiato “East Coast vs West Coast: #Biggie & #Tupac Tribute Dinner” “BLOOD, BLUNTS, COKE"? wtf… pic.twitter.com/tEAP1fyOIy
— Miles Gray (@kingmilesiii) December 17, 2014
Graffiato is planning to host a $65 hip-hop-themed dinner on Feb. 2 paying tribute to the East Coast vs. West Coast, Biggie vs. Tupac rivalries of the ’90s. But its menu of “thug rice” and milk chocolate chip “blunts” with “coke floats” hasn’t gone over so well.
Several people, including Smith Commons and Smith Public Trust owner Miles Gray (above), have taken to Twitter to call the menu offensive, distasteful, and racist.
Graffiato has since removed the menu from its website. Restaurateur Mike Isabella gave Y&H the following statement via his publicist, who says he’s not available for an interview.
“The Graffiato dinner on February 2 is a celebration of hip hop from two of the greatest artists of the 90s. The menu is still a work in progress, and dishes will be inspired by songs, lyrics and classic east and west coast dishes.”
Here’s some of the reaction to the menu on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/justjptweet/status/545285206748704768
So hey, @Graffiato, maybe don't do this: http://t.co/yTXhIKk4oc
— Kakistocracy Man (@jacobsberg) December 17, 2014
The most ridiculous part of this terrible Biggie vs. Tupac menu is that he calls risotto "thug rice." http://t.co/3rlNANNKes
— Erin Leach (@erinaleach) December 17, 2014
This #biggie & #pac so called “tribute dinner" by @Graffiato is pretty distasteful, no pun. Menu attached. pic.twitter.com/M14fsO52kY
— saint chris (@cbselects) December 17, 2014
nice @wapo @Graffiato @fritzhahn you didnt think "thug rice" was racist?! **menu was already taken down pic.twitter.com/bV7bov3yMT
— kate_ross_ (@kate_ross_) December 17, 2014