Vampire novelist Rice sinks fangs into Copeland's Straya

Nation's Restaurant News, Feb 24, 1997 by Ron Ruggless

NEW ORLEANS -- Mardi Gras revelers here were spellbound by a high-profile, very public war of words between vampire writer Anne Rice and eatery creator Al Copeland over his new Straya restaurant on St. Charles Avenue.

And the feud has taken on an afterlife all its own.

Rice, the author of "Interview With a Vampire" and other tales of the preternatural, took out a full-page ad in the Feb. 7 New Orleans Time Picayune newspaper, calling Copeland's second Straya restaurant, among other things, "hideous," "a monstrosity" and "nothing short of an abomination." She added: "Mr. Copeland should be ashamed."

Copeland responded in the newspaper with a two-page open letter to Rice, complete with before and after photographs of the former Mercedes-Benz dealership, saying, "Anne, if I didn't take your rude, unwarranted personal attack so seriously, I might be amused."

In a postscript to his ad, the founder of Popeyes Chicken added: "See you in court. In the meantime, I'm putting a little extra garlic in the food at Straya, keeping a crucifix under my pillow and carrying a wooden stake for good luck."

Copeland followed his letter with a defamation suit against Rice, which she has vowed not to settle out of court. "I will not apologize," she told a New Orleans radio program.

Folks in this city of odd characters and blood feuds have taken to calling this baring-of-fangs episode -- with a reference to Copeland's lavish Christmas displays at his home in Metairie -- The King of Lights vs. the Queen of Darkness.

"This is an attack from out of the blue," said Copeland, reached at his office. "I've never met Anne Rice in my life."

Rice could not be reached for comment.

"The ad just slammed me," Copeland said, "and it slammed my property. All I could ask was, `Where is this coming from?'"

The neon-adorned Straya California Creole Grand Cafe is the second for Copeland but the first in New Orleans proper. The other has been open three years ago in Metairie, a suburb, and Copeland has announced plans to franchise the concept along with another, Wrap & Roll, an 80-seat wraps sandwich concept that opened late last year. He also has 10 company-owned units of the 16-unit Copeland's chain.

The 350 seat St. Charles Straya opened Feb. 6 as part of what Copeland says is a $5 million project that will include a 44-suite hotel. The restaurant includes salads; blended pizzas, such as an Oysters Rockefeller pizza; and other items.

The Rice ads didn't hurt business during the pre-Mardi Gras opening weekend, Copeland said. However, he said it did hurt him personally.

"It upset me that she specifically went out to address people who are visiting New Orleans," Copeland said. "We had a million visitors from all over the world. That upset me. If you were visiting and just read her ad, you'd think I'd put this restaurant right in the middle of all the ante-bellum homes on St. Charles Avenue."

While St. Charles goes into the Garden District, Straya is located near Lee Circle, amid decayed buildings that have been vacant for years, Copeland said.

James Gill, a columnist with the Times Picayune, called Copeland the victor in the first round of advertisements. "Al Copeland was the clear winner, whether his new Straya restaurant on St. Charles Avenue is to be regarded as the `eyesore' that Anne Rice denounced or the `fine merge of contemporary and classic design, of which he declares himself proud," Gill wrote.

"Rice's concern for the city's architectural heritage is admirable, but this salvo will not advance the cause," Gill continued. "She has managed to make Copeland look like the reasonable one and turn Straya into a household name."

In her initial ad Rice had implored New Orleanians to "exercise your constitutional right as Americans and let Mr. Copeland know your feelings, in writing or by phone calls. Maybe then Mr. Copeland will realize the gravity of his mistake, and do something to show respect for his fellow citizens and city." Taking her up on the offer, several St. Charles establishments took out a half-page ad in the Feb. 14 newspaper, coming not to damn their neighbor but to praise him.

"We ... salute you, Mr. Copeland," the ad said, "and we bid you welcome to our neighborhood!" Sponsored by Igor's Lounge, Igor's Garlic Clove Restaurant, Lucky's Lounge, Igor's Buddha Belly Burger Bar and Igor's Check Point Charlie, the text went on to say: "As Anne Rice so helpfully suggested, we are exerting our constitutional right to protest. Please, please, Anne, refrain from architectural criticism and stick to what you do best ... writing lucrative novels that romanticize repugnant, murderous, blood-sucking vampires with TERMINALLY BAD HAIR."

Rice has taken out other newspaper ads to express her opinion, including another high-profile series that came out against -- and then for -- actor Tom Cruise playing the lead role in the movie version of "Interview With a Vampire."

"She's done this before," Copeland said. "I think her idea was to fight under the idea of freedom of speech. My attorneys really believe she stepped over the line.