Spin Kitchen & Bar

Mother’s Day Brunch 2013

fredericl — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:21:10 +0000

What’s the best gift for mom? Delicious food and happy kids. We’ve got both this Mother’s Day! Join us for our Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13 and your family will have access to our Kids’ Zone & indoor pool. Buffet menu including hot and cold items, omelet and prime rib stations and a kids’ buffet.

Adult: $42; Kids 6-11: $21; Kids 5 under: $9

For questions or reservations, please call 613.783.4202 or e-mail us at spinkitchenbar@ottawamarriott.com.

Spin your own Salad

fredericl — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:39:23 +0000

Spring is finally here and nothing is more refreshing and healthy than a salad.

But not any salad; here at Spin Kitchen & Bar you are your own chef for one meal and you decide which flavors you want to enjoy together. Decide whether you want to use romaine, spinach or more for your creation, add 5 vegetables or fruit from our long list of fresh products, choose which seed or nut you want to add, pick one dressing from the 6 dressings offered, upgrade your salad by adding cheese and protein such as tuna, steak or even tofu.

Spin your own salad at spin kitchen & bar from $11 at lunch time and $12.50 at dinner time

anatheat — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 14:52:16 +0000

I may be a New Democrat, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love that people are getting involved in politics. Recently the Liberals announced they have nearly 300,000 people registered to vote in their upcoming leadership race. Many partisans immediately started taking pot shots at their process and taking an overtly partisan opinion. This is the wrong move, having Canadians who care enough about politics to want to be involved should be celebrated – not maligned. We need to enter a new era in Canadian politics where Canadians can be proud of their politicians.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 17:10:26 +0000

The Senate and Senators have been under fire for a number of weeks primarily because of matters related to problems with financial accountability and transparency. The Senate needs to change on this front. Like numerous other taxpayer funded institutions if this one has to exist it needs to show us how its members are spending our money and if they living by and within the rules. Smart PR would see the Senators themselves leading the charge for reform. Will it happen? God let us hope so.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

At a cost of roughly $400-million in salaries and expenses, you’d think the Senate serves some value. If it does, would someone please explain it to me? I did an experiment last week that you should try, too. Ask anyone what they think of the Senate … then prepare thyself for the onslaught of expletives that are instantly fired your way. Then, duck. While scandals aren’t new to the Senate, this latest batch handily provides pretty rich frosting for the cake. One Senator has landed himself in jail, and potentially three others are being audited for residency issues and expense accounts. The Senate’s future needs to be pondered — and not a second too soon. Perhaps status quo requires some sober second thought?

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:40:10 +0000

Conservatives may argue that it’s a large, fractious group with too many different spokespersons. They may argue as well that it has a history of misspending. Nonetheless, it will continue to frustrate Harper’s government in 2013. No, we’re not talking about the Idle No More Movement — it’s the Liberal party, gearing up to choose a new leader this spring.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

Pundits are searching for tangible accomplishments at Friday’s Federal-First Nations summit. If we cut through the cynicism, rhetoric and drama, at least one major thing was achieved: Prime Minister Harper and National Chief Atleo have formally put their trust in each other, and cemented a relationship perhaps unprecedented between a sitting PM and current national chief. They need each other, and to some extent, their futures are now intertwined. In the craft of nation-building, mutual trust and respect aren’t a bad place to start.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:28:09 +0000

I don’t have any inside knowledge as to who is running Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Twitter account these days, but it’s taken a welcome turn to the whimsical side of things. Once a dry, matter-of-fact generator of government announcements and news releases, the PM has lately taken to Twitter to deliver Seinfeld-inspired “SERENITY NOW” wishes to Thomas Mulcair , and taking a little rhetorical poke at his pugnacious House Leader in a Christmas photo with his security team. He’s even liberally sprinkling his tweets with exclamation points (!) – perhaps the only thing he ever does “liberally”. There are lots of other areas where he can still be the serious guy (which is probably more fun for him anyway), but it’s still refreshing to see our Prime Minister be a little more, well, social on social media.

MIKE STORESHAW - Vice-President Communications, H+K Strategies
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

Ring in the New Year in style!

anatheat — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:27:43 +0000

Make New Year’s Eve a night to remember at “spin” Kitchen & Bar. You will be delighted with our sumptuous three-course dinner for only $44 per person. Relax in style and make a night of it by booking our overnight package at the Ottawa Marriott (use corp/promotional code EVE).

anatheat — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:12:28 +0000

The year now ending has been especially kind to foodies who enjoy more culinary creativity and selection than ever – many in new restaurants, and many of those establishments chef owned and operated. The great news is, 2013 looks even brighter as the city takes baby steps toward, say, relaxing food truck restrictions to encourage diversity, and more chefs are looking to open new kitchens. Truly, this is a great time to be looking for good eats in the nation’s capital.

RON EADE - Food journalist and former long-standing Citizen Food editor. Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty.

anatheat — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:41:33 +0000

Elections Canada seems to be one of the busiest agencies in Ottawa these days. Conspiracy theorists will argue its because different parties are breaking rules and manipulating the system. There is probably some of that to be sure. But equally humans will be humans and mistakes will be made. We are at a place in our history where dramatic gaps exist between paid professional campaigners and fresh well meaning not properly trained volunteers. What will this all mean to future electoral contests?

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

The larger issue around campaign financing in general is how it’s gone off the rails. Take the US as a prime example. Long ago, the American dream was about how anyone could be president. Movies starring Jimmy Stewart heading off to Washington to change the world suggested that all you needed to seek the top office in the land were some good ideas and the greater good in your heart. Today, forget your heart. It’s all about what’s in your wallet. This year’s US presidential election has hit an all-time spending high in the range of $6-billion dollars. That’s a six … followed by nine (!) zeros. Governments are no longer of the people, by the people, for the people … they’re for – and by – those able to make the largest financial contributions. As Canada creeps ideologically closer and closer to resembling our neighbours to the south, let’s ask ourselves the question: do we really want our elections to be determined by who has the largest bank accounts?

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:08:41 +0000

Glad to see common sense prevailed at Supreme Court in Opitz case, but stunned that one of the justices advocated new I’d verification protocols that would require hundreds of thousands on returning officers on E-Day. On the flip side, though, could make for a helluva job-creation plan if the recession comes back!

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

I’m taking up a collection for a small but horribly disadvantaged constituency in Canada – residents of Etobicoke Centre who are political junkies and hockey fans. Thanks to the prorogation at Queen’s Park, the Supreme Court decision this week and the hockey lockout, these poor folks have nothing to do. Let’s get them a new hobby.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:51:01 +0000

Dalton McGuinty might be carrying more baggage than a Marriott porter, but it’s understandable that some Liberals would turn to him as a federal candidate. The inclusive voting system for the leadership race will make it difficult for McGuinty to overcome Justin Trudeau’s celebrity status. But even after eight years in power, McGuinty won 38 per cent of the vote in Ontario last year. What other challenger to Trudeau has McGuinty’s experience or winning record?

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

The cynical political operative in me almost has to take a step back and admire how Dalton McGuinty pulled off his prorogation. He and his team managed to throw up several smokescreens and diversions — from the federal leadership speculation, to the questions about his provincial replacement — to avert public and media attention from the fact that he’s leaving Queen’s Park with his party and government as vulnerable as it has ever been. McGuinty is nothing if not a skilled politician, and he showed it even as he shut down the provincial parliament and fled with his tail between his legs. How’s that for a backhanded compliment?

MIKE STORESHAW - Vice-President Communications, H+K Strategies
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:23:44 +0000

Again we’re confronted with a massive recall of possible tainted beef from a single plant in western Canada, which underscores to me the systemic issue of mass factory processing. Better, I say, to know where your meat comes from. While we can’t say that buying hamburger only from a local butcher is guaranteed safe, we can be assured a problem at a neighbourhood shop will not affect an entire nation’s food supply. Bottom line: Practice safe kitchen hygiene, and cook your food properly.

RON EADE - Food journalist and former long-standing Citizen Food editor. Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:33:35 +0000

Economy. Economy. Economy. That is what the government sees as job 1 and will be their obsession as Parliament begins its fall sitting. For the opposition the NDP will go after character of government issues. Meanwhile the Liberals start this Commons season with yet another leadership race. What happens in Ottawa in the weeks ahead may be dramatically altered by trouble in the Middle East and Europe. There may be no NHL hockey yet but one our other national sports – politics – will the void with lots of action.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Forward. The slogan of the Democratic Party in the tight, race to the finish campaign in the US. Moving forward in a progressive manner that leaves no one behind, be it health care … education … or the economy. Unfortunately, here, north of the border, it will be the same old, same old for the party that holds the majority number of seats, Harper’s Conservatives. Political posturing, regressive policies that will continue to turn back the clock on policies that were once (proudly) considered progressive. Slogan for the Conservative agenda for this session: Backward … or Business As Usual.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:18:04 +0000

BC Premier Christy Clark has come out a swingin’ at pipelines. Hard. And why? Because that’s her NDP opponent’s position, and he’s outpolling her two-to-one. Hmmmmmm. Ripping off the NDP’s policies to try and beat them back? So what’s the point in running? Why not just pack it in and let Adrian Dix run the place for a while? At least then we’ll get the real-deal anti-energy champion – instead of the one who’s just pretending.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

Ask not what Stephen Harper is doing for you this summer. Ask instead what your Prime Minister has said he will NOT do — attend a first ministers’ conference; get involved in the Quebec election; talk about Conrad Black; comment about the arrest of his former aide, Bruce Carson; or wade into the B.C.-Alberta pipeline dispute. I’m going to see this as a gift to the media who cover the PM — let’s all take the rest of the summer off!

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 23:38:06 +0000

Ah, summer: when the politicians wear cowboy hats. Dozens of MPs dropped by the Stampede this year, in the city Stephen Harper called the greatest in Canada. (We knew he was a Maple Leafs fan; now this.) Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau is warming up to a run for the Liberal leadership thanks to polls showing he’s popular among people who know nothing about him. That’s the thing about summer: it feels great but there’s always a cold reality waiting.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

I’ve heard of fighting fire with fire, but for a while now, the opposition parties seem to have been content with fighting fire with a cap gun. I’m referring to political advertising: when the Conservative Party ramps up its ad buys, the opposition response has generally been late, lame and low-key. This week, the NDP claimed to have released ads of their own, to counter a minor offensive from the Conservatives. But so far, there’s no indication the NDP ads will show up where people whose minds might be changed can see them – on TV. They spent big on some TV ads when Thomas Mulcair was elected leader, but with the per-vote subsidy being eliminated, is the NDP purse empty already?

MIKE STORESHAW - Vice-President Communications, H+K Strategies
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:36:02 +0000

I wish news organizations would stop conducting reader/viewer surveys that allegedly proclaim the best flapjack, the best sausage, the best cat litter or whatever, in the entire city. Last summer a local TV station actually pronounced Dairy Queen as having the best ice cream – ignoring, apparently, so many talented ice cream and gelato artisans in our city. Fact is, these polls are frequently targets of an orchestrated numbers campaign and are of no significance whatever.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998 Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Humans have an insatiable need for food, power and knowledge. The “best of [insert-food-type-here]” contests that happen each year satisfy all those needs. Regular patrons get to pass judgement, rank and order their favourite treats and dishes. While I agree with Ron that most of the contests need tighter controls so they don’t devolve into popularity contests, I think it’s all in good fun.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:44:36 +0000

Tom Mulcair has started a heated debate in Canada about whether or not Canada’s manufacturing sector, particularly in Ontario and Quebec, is suffering at the hands of resource development in the West.

On this one he is wrong on the facts but deliberate in his intentions which is to play wedge politics to his benefit. Nothing new in wedge politics. But it certainly takes the veneer off the sanctimonious NDP who always try to claim they do politics differently. In fact they have done well because they understand the modern game. Mulcair seems to see his winning coalition coming principally coming from Ontario and Quebec forsaking the west. He has the right to make that choice but it is not without risk.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Not only does the NDP claim to do politics differently, they do politics differently. While the Conservatives authored the book on wedge politics, the NDP has operated in the spirit of cooperation, inclusion and consensus since its inception, sticking to the ideology that government can literally be ‘by the people and for the people’ — all of them. And speaking of all of them, for the first time in as long as I can remember, the NDP has squeaked past the Conservatives in the polls, inching to the number one spot nationally in political popularity. Not bad for a party that has stuck to its principals by doing politics differently.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:11:31 +0000

And they say Canada is boring? We have an international manhunt for a murderous sociopath who sends body bits to political parties. We have a new threat to federalism with the Opposition Leader flipping the bird to the Western economy. And we have an independent MP threatening to take away MP potty breaks with days of round-the-clock voting on the budget bill. It’s like Dexter, the NEP, and Depends all wrapped together! Holy drama! We’re coming into our own, baby!

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

Never mind those unfortunate predictions about what was going to happen in the Alberta election. (Remember, the one that Wildrose was supposed to win?) True pundits keep on making forecasts, so here are the most popular ones on the Canadian political-speculation circuit as summer looms. 1) Bob Rae will step down as interim Liberal leader by the end of this month, to run for the permanent job. 2) Stephen Harper will shuffle his cabinet this summer.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:14:05 +0000

The question isn’t where Ottawa should locate a new casino; it’s whether we should have one at all. We should debate whether the government belongs in the business of promoting sucker bets, not where they should be doing it. Public officials pay lip service to addressing gambling problems, but they have the biggest gambling addiction of all. The fact that the government needs money isn’t enough justification for tricking the people into parting with theirs.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

I’ve lived in Ottawa for 11 years now, and I still only know maybe a half-dozen people who are actually FROM here – like, born and raised in Ottawa or at least nearby. If you travel in political circles like I do, that seems to be a fairly common theme. It takes some individual effort to get to know this city beyond the day-to-day political grind, but when you do, it has so much to offer. This past weekend, my wife and I took our kids out for a short hike through some paths adjacent to the Rideau River. Two little boys were thrilled to trundle through what our oldest has now dubbed “Big Tree Forest” , even though we never got more than a couple kilometres from our own front door. It’s just one little piece of the city that none of us had explored before. So don’t let the spring and summer get away from you without finding your own new corner of Ottawa to enjoy. Find enough of them and before you know it, this town feels like home.

MIKE STORESHAW - Vice-President Communications, H+K Strategies
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:48:23 +0000

When it comes to matters worth public debate, whether or not Conrad Black should be allowed to re-enter Canada stacks up as a colossal waste of time. Yes, he surrendered his citizenship so he could play dress-up in the British House of Lords. Yes, he’s been convicted in the United States on mail fraud and obstruction of justice. But now that he’s out of jail, why anyone should care where he lives completely baffles me. We let exiled FLQ members back into the country, for goodness sake. Move on.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998 Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:55:33 +0000

Bev Oda had a bad week last week. A $16 glass of orange juice and an intrepid reporter cost her a few thousand dollars along with a healthy slice of humble pie. Minister Oda’s London adventure never should have been the sideshow it was. While she did apologize for seeing London in something other than a double-decker bus she should have been wiser to begin with. I can’t fault her for wanting to stay at the Savoy, I have been there myself, I’d encourage her to use Expedia to get a better rate and counsel staying there on her own time and dime. It is amazing the bargains you can find there except when it comes to the OJ.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Canadians, not Bev Oda, had a bad week last week. Swapping one ritzy five star hotel for another that hit a 10 on the richter scale of swank, slurping a glass of orange juice that cost more than an average breakfast and trotting around in $1,000 a day limos has set a new standard for entitlement. Bev Oda, the Minister who oversees a portfolio that provides aid to some of the most impoverished countries in the world, deemed it appropriate to rival the Queen when it comes to lavish travel and, frankly, didn’t see a thing wrong with it. Her begrudging apology was almost as offensive as her over the top travel. Canadians are offended because Ms Oda’s behaviour was offensive. Her next trip should be a walk from the front to back benches — where this odiferous behaviour ‘entitles’ her to stay.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:48:31 +0000

With his party polling at 20 per cent on a good day, and striking panel after committee on party renewal, former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff decides it was a good idea to go on BBC and announce that Quebec independence is inevitable. That’s right, an immediate former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada says publicly that Quebec will inevitable separate. Two observations: first, wow, did Canadians ever miss an opportunity for a great prime minister. Second, a tip to the Liberals on party renewal: don’t send your eminence grises out there to out-Bloc the Bloc. It probably won’t help you rebuild.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

Thanks, Albertans, for giving us more evidence that Canadian politics is fascinating and, better yet, unpredictable. Overnight, an “inevitable” Wild Rose victory turned into a Progressive Conservative majority. Some will say that the victory is proof that Wild Rose extremists should have kept their mouths shut. Better lesson? Maybe the pollsters and pundits should have done the same — or save their predictions for boxing matches. Oh wait. Senator Brazeau didn’t beat Justin Trudeau either, did he?

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:07:15 +0000

Thankfully, something in federal politics lived up to the hype last week. The Thrilla on the Hilla, the charity boxing match in which Liberal MP Justin Trudeau surprised Senator Patrick Brazeau, was a spirited fight with a surprise outcome. The federal budget, on the other hand, didn’t match the dramatic changes the government conditioned us to expect. The budget will be balanced just before the next election. Unlike the fight, that outcome seems fixed and predictable.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

NDP MP Charlie Angus decided to quit Twitter. Frankly, I sympathize with some of his arguments. Social networks can sometimes be nasty and vile, made all the more so because of the anonymity and immediacy they provide. Angus also decries “slacktivism”, the phenomenon where individuals or even organizations can post a comment, or just click a mouse, and feel like they’ve made their contribution to political debate. Problem is, it wasn’t too long ago that such “slacktivism” was fanning the flames of the so-called robo-call scandal, which Angus was happy to stoke himself. Remember the 31,000 “contacts” to Elections Canada? The vast majority were form submissions, generated online. It’s easy to lose track, in the new “slacktivist” world, of which outrages are genuine and which ones are artificial flavours of the week.

MIKE STORESHAW - Vice-President Communications, H+K Strategies
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:28:48 +0000

The era of the all-knowing expert is over, or is it? As thousands on thousands of blogs devoted to all manner of food and drink pop up worldwide, and foodies take to Twitter, Yelp and Facebook to dish on every aspect of a restaurant, food experience or trip to Provence the world is being exposed to more and more opinions, ideas and thoughts about food. Some might suggest that this “cult of the amateur” is diluting expert opinion honed over years of experience. I think people are smart enough to know the difference between a two-bit food blogger and a writer who knows within two-bites if she loves a dish. I say, the more voices and more opinions the better – trust the reader. Heck some of these bloggers will even become experts of their own. The expert is dead! Long live the expert!

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

I agree with Ian that the food scene is replete with unsolicited insights offered freely, in quantity, through social media. While everyone with thoughts once dismissed as graffiti can now reach the entire planet through the Internet, not every food writer is Jeffrey Steingarten. That much is self-evident; I invite you to compare, say, many online restaurant reviews with the considered opinion of people who have put in their dues and know what they’re eating. People with expertise will recognize the cacophony for what it is, while those who have little (or none) will be satisfied with the internet equivalent of daytime television. The world was ever thus …

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998 Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:45:43 +0000

Robo-calls. Robo-calls. Robo-calls. Seems to be the only thing people in Ottawa can talk about. No surprise that people feel Ottawa is disconnected with the rest of the country. I’d like to see the infamous Pierre Poutine revealed which we hear might happen. More importantly I’d like to see those who apparently broke the law in Guelph punished with all the might of the law. It would also be wonderful if all politicians could get a grip here and stop tripping over themselves to stretch the boundaries of this story for political gain. They only hurt their reputations by doing so.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

There have been many scandals in Canadian political history, going as far back as the late 1800s when John A. MacDonald weathered the accusation of being bribed to the tune of $360K. And there have been lots of electoral dirty tricks over the same amount of years to garner voters’ support. But flat out denying someone the right to vote transcends all of it and is slap in the face to voters … and the democratic process. The robocalling scandal is on politicians’ radars and on the front pages in the media for a very good reason: it could, conceivably, be the largest case of electoral fraud this country has ever seen. Whether a trickle or a torrent — or the government’s claim of a “smear campaign”, — it behooves us as a county to get to the bottom of this — and fast.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:11:08 +0000

I think we’ve found the fundamental disconnect between Canadian people and politics. The uproar over the online-surveillance bill demonstrated the public’s fierce attachment to the Internet. But as we’re learning in the scandal of robocalls, Canadian political parties are trying to get in touch with voters by phone. Is that the new two solitudes in Canada?

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

A month away from the election of a new Leader of the Opposition, and the NDP is mired in debate between two front-runner visions: Topp’s back-to-basics Big Labour/Bigger CCF versus the Angry Tony Blair vision of Thomas Mulcair. Meanwhile, also-rans are sniping at each other for scraps, while weak membership sales show Quebeckers have already turned their backs on the party that holds most of the province’s seats. What does it all mean? That personality matters. The 2011 breakthrough was Jack Layton’s breakthrough. And history shows that successions often lead to fratricidal warfare that squanders a legacy, rather than moves it forward.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:27:29 +0000

Canada doesn’t do revolutions. More often than not, if you want to change something in this country, it takes years of hard work. Conservatives, under a number of party banners and since long before anyone had heard of “lawful access”, have been keeping up the battle against the wasteful, ineffective long gun registry. They saw that work come to fruition last week in the House of Commons, when the bill to scrap the registry was finally passed and sent to the Senate for final deliberation.

You can disagree with the policy – many do. But when it comes to commitment to a cause, one that is near and dear to the hearts of farmers, hunters, and millions of other ordinary Canadians, you have to applaud the MPs who made this happen and didn’t give up. My hat’s off to them.

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

The question is not whether Mark Sutcliffe thinks Justin Trudeau is silly and dramatic, because that is a ridiculous question. The question is why Justin Trudeau thinks that anyone who doesn’t share Justin Trudeau’s values is therefore making the country unrecognizable, why if the country continues to change in ways that are actually not happening, he would have Quebec separate, and why someone who called a cabinet minister something disgusting now says that other people are disgusting and bringing down the level of debate.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

anatheat — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:39:32 +0000

There will always be a market for showy stuff in kitchens where sorcerer apprentices call upon alginates and whatnot more reminiscent of chemistry class than mom’s apple pie. Their plates may be pretty, but most are more entertaining than practical to amuse an attention-deficit generation impatient for sensory jolts, even at dinner. The good news is, the fury to re-construct food as something Salvadore Dali might imagine is mercifully being reined in, as chefs rediscover earthly favourites as unpretentious as, say, roast fowl or a properly constructed BLT. We’ve had our fun with bacon ice cream, now we’re looking for a really good braise or chowder. Get me a spoon, please.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Can’t disagree more with Ron. Modern cuisine is here to stay and thrive. It’ll only get more deconstructed, strange and foreign to our tongues. People like to play with their food and this should be encouraged and not belittled. The chemicals, compounds and techniques of modernist cuisine are akin to the runways of Paris and Milan during haute couture shows – which is to say they press the boundaries of what we thought was possible. When’s the last time a perfectly constructed BLT did that, eh?

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

As humans, we like to delve into the unknown…it’s in our DNA. Which is why culinary experimentation will never cease…the “chemistry class” as Ron puts it will turn out some wins as it will turn out some duds. In the kitchen, the novelty factor must never trump taste. Just as every experiment has a hypothesis, there is also a conclusion…does it taste good or does it not? There are tried and true taste combinations that work…enter the BLT. Modern cuisine does not negate the Classics…fortunately, our taste buds don’t change nearly as often as the trends coming out of Paris.

Today’s “Modern” either becomes tomorrow’s “Classic” or it enters the history books as “What were they thinking?”

MARK STEELE – Executive Chef, Ottawa Marriott Hotel

Sens vs. Leafs – Saturday, February 4

anatheat — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:29 +0000

It’s the Battle of Ontario this Saturday, February 4 and we’ll be airing the game throughout the restaurant on our high-def TVs. Wear your jersey and come cheer on your team in the heart of that Nation’s Capital. Share a 60 oz pitcher with your friends for only $27 (local) or $30 (imported). Enjoy special prices on our wings, shrimp, sliders and more! Puck drops at 7 pm.

Join us for the Super Bowl – Sunday, February 5

anatheat — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:47:36 +0000

The Giants and the Patriots are facing off in Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday, February 5 and Spin Kitchen & Bar is THE place to be! You will love watching the game and cheering on your team in a lively, friendly atmosphere on high-def TVs and with free WiFi throughout the restaurant. Share a 60 oz pitcher with your friends for only $27 (local) or $30 (imported). Enjoy special prices on our wings, shrimp, sliders and more! Kick-off is at 6:30 pm.

anatheat — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:24:23 +0000

There are ‘tough choices’ and then there are wrong choices. And the ones that were announced in Davos are simply wrong. Playing to a crowd that represents a broad cross-section of the world’s financial heavyweights, Prime Minister Stephen Harper tossed regressive right-wing policy to the crowd the way a fisherman throws chum into shark-infested waters. The PM pledged a “transformative big business agenda” driven by austerity and resulting in deeper tax cuts. “We’ll do more, much more,” he promised. And if we thought what we’ve seen from this government so far has turned us from kinder and gentler into meaner and leaner, as Randy Bachman sang, “We Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.” If maximizing profits and investor returns at the expense of universal health care and our old age security is hyperbole and BS, god help us all.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

Lots of reaction across the land from the Prime Minister’s speech in Davos particularly related to the tough choices that lay ahead. If we don’t make tough choices same on us all. Whether it is bringing security and stability to retirement assistance programs or cutting wasteful government centric spending programs. Lots of heated and misleading rhetoric coming in opposition to the choices that need to be made. Hopefully we all don’t get lost in the hyperbole and bullshit because the future well-being of Canada is in part being shaped by the choices we make in the next few years.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

anatheat — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:43:58 +0000

“Beware Foreigners and Radicals – or even worse, Foreign Radicals!” While most of the discussion about Joe Oliver’s missive has centred around pipelines, I wonder if the real target of this warning was actually someone a bit closer to home: Thomas Mulcair. Vive la France!

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

I’m having a hard time keeping track of good and bad foreigners in the eyes of this government, but here’s how I think it goes: bad foreigners include all those who oppose pipelines, governments in Iraq and Syria, suspicious sorts in the Russian embassy and anyone who wants to lead a political party in Canada. Good foreigners would include the heavy-hitters at Davos, people who own oil companies and, of course, the Queen. I think that covers it, but it’s a work in progress.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:30:47 +0000

You’d think, after having spent half a decade as Prime Minister, that Stephen Harper’s biggest detractors would resign themselves to the fact that there isn’t some nefarious hidden social conservative agenda he’s just waiting for the right moment to unleash. His opponents have attacked him on it in four straight elections and done worse in each one. If he was going to reopen the marriage and abortion debates, he’d pick better spokespersons than an unnamed Justice Department lawyer and a backbench MP. Here’s a bit of free advice for Harper opponents, if they want to try and do better next time: never assume your opponent has a political death wish.

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

I get why Bob Rae wants to be the permanent Liberal leader. I just don’t get why the Liberals want him. Everyone agrees he’s doing a great job as interim leader, but he’s playing exhibition games right now. The real battle begins in 2015, when Rae will still be carrying baggage from 1995 that will be easy for his opponents to exploit. A third-place party should seek a leader for the future, not the present.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

anatheat — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:20:34 +0000

The mantra for many is to support local by choosing fresh seasonal foodstuffs produced close to home. But while proselytizers of the 100-mile diet are religious in their enthusiasm, there remain others who care not where the asparagus comes from or the environmental cost to get it here — just so long as it is cheap. The perennial price shopper will not likely change unless … reality intervenes. And it will. Cheap oil that allows globetrotting strawberries and abundant groundwater to make deserts arable are both running out, and the cumulative effect must ultimately take us back to the future. Locavores will not succeed because they’re correct, but because reality will inevitably triumph.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:38:35 +0000

The year that was in politics in 2011 was dramatically riveting. After 7 consecutive years of minority government Canadians elected a majority Conservative government in May with an NDP opposition. No one would have forecast that a year ago. Sadly and in the low point of the year the architect of the NDP surge Jack Layton died in the late summer. A Shakespearean tragedy if there ever was one. 2011 also Canada end its combat operations in Afghanistan and wage a brief but successful war in Libya. As the year closed Attiwapiskat’s struggle was beamed into our homes and reinvigorated a debate about Canada’s relationship with its aboriginal peoples. That discourse and the ongoing state of the economy will shape the early days of 2012.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

2011. The year Canadians got a small taste of what a Conservative majority looks like — and what a taste it was. Flexing its majority muscles, the Harper government has put the small “c” back in conservative quicker than you can say ‘hold on to your hats’, passing a whack of bills that would make Tory front benchers viable contenders for the Tea Party. Just a few quick examples during that short session: withdrawing from the Kyoto protocol … scrapping Canada’s long gun registry … introducing a crime bill laced with an American-style mandatory sentencing plan … killing the wheat board … ramping up staffing and spending for the military… to name only a few. A mere 39-percent of Canadians elected this ‘majority’ government, radically redrawing the country’s political and social landscape. If this past session was just a taste, are we as a country that once prided itself on being progressive, peace-keeping and generous really ready for the main course?

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:44:43 +0000

A couple of months ago, I’m told, the bureaucrats in charge of Christmas were told to come up with 10 per cent cuts in the seasonal celebrations. Here, exclusive to Spin diners, is a top-secret, exclusive list of what’s rumoured to be on the chopping block for Christmas 2011: the colour red (too Liberal); the colour green (too Elizabeth May/Kyoto); gold (too Baird-business-card-like); Lego building sets (we’ve had enough construction in Muskoka) and naughty-nice lists (invasive, wasteful bureaucracy.)

So have yourself a blue Christmas!

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

Seems to be smugly cool to give Fossil awards, so I’ve got one to dole out myself. Here’s to the guys who signed an emissions deal (including billions in fines) that doesn’t include major economic competitors — whose annual GHG *increases* exceed our total output. Oops. Fail. Then joked privately they never planned to live up to it anyway, but just wanted to be in the Cool Kids’ photo-op. Ouch. Fail. With Kent, emissions are finally going down. Good. But bad relationships are hard to leave, so I also salute him for having the guts to let the air out of a Grit legacy that’s been giving us all gas.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:37:08 +0000

It’s encouraging to see so many top Ottawa chefs perform so well at the Nov. 14 annual Gold Medal Plates competition at the National Arts Centre, one of many Canada-wide culinary contests to raise money for Canada’s elite athletes. Perhaps more than any any other year, their dishes reflected a growing sophistication and maturity (to say nothing of creativity) that speaks volumes about the emerging culinary scene in the nation’s capital. Ottawa is no longer just a meat-and-potatoes town, and I certainly wish this year’s champion, chef Marc Lepine at Atelier restaurant, well at the grand finale in Kelowna in February.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Ottawa’s food scene is a reflection of the people eating out in this city. Younger, more fun and less conservative than our parents. When you look at the up-and-coming chefs many have some from older and more staid locations, I’ll grant these spots are indeed quite successfully boring. What interests me is not only the sophistication of the Ottawa chefs offerings, but also the variety and creativity in the new spots opening up. From fresh oysters to slow-cooked barbecue and innovative lunch-shops this city has become home to some truly unique places with flavours that reflect the younger crowds.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:08:58 +0000

If you follow me on Twitter (@mstoreshaw), you may have noticed that I have a bee in my bonnet these days over the fate of the Canadian Wheat Board. As a born and bred Albertan, and a Conservative, I’m personally looking forward to the day that a grain farmer can sell what he produces to anybody he chooses. I’ve never understood why a Western grain farmer can’t seek out as many customers as he likes, the same way every other businessperson does. Looks like the CWB itself has given up on trying to convince these very farmers of the merits of a monopoly. They’ve taken to spending their money on demonstrations at Union Station in Toronto, of all places. Rise up, commuters from Oakville! Rise up!

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

One way or another, the Occupy protests will fizzle in Canada, not because they’re being evicted from public property, nor the looming ravages of winter (although that helps). Instead, the tent cities will close because Occupy just isn’t a significant, meaningful protest in Canada. In the U.S., it’s as legitimate as the Tea Party. Here, it’s just a warning that if we let our economy go as much as our neighbours did, trouble will follow.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

anatheat — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:09:15 +0000

Abacus Data, a company which I have an ownership stake in, found in a recent survey that 41 % of Canadians have a favourable impression of the Occupy Canada protests while 22 % have an unfavourable impression. Few believe the protests will have a positive impact on Canadian politics. I agree with that because however well intentioned the protesters maybe their approach is disjointed, reactionary and their arguments are all over the place. Perhaps the facts don’t help them here either because the gap between the rich and poor is significantly less in Canada than the US. The occupation won’t last.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

While the ‘Occupy’ protests will clearly not change the growing inequity between the rich and poor overnight, what the movement has accomplished is to shine a much brighter spotlight on need for financial reform. Even head honcho Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney calls the Occupy demonstrations “entirely constructive”. The demonstrations are filled with folks like you and me: people tired of the growing increase in the ratio of CEO earnings to workers on the shop floor; people frustrated that one percent of the population holds 40 percent of the wealth … and why shouldn’t we be? The occupation may not last forever but it has managed to make an indelible imprint on inequity, hopefully forcing policy makers to better examine the need to change the game on Wall Street and Bay Street. And that’s a good thing.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:16:58 +0000

Some anniversaries are going to be a bigger deal than others in the coming months and next year: the war of 1812, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 100th year of the Calgary Stampede. Other anniversaries — the Charter’s 30th, the CBC’s 75th — not so much, at least when it comes to official government celebrations. Which proves, I guess, the old saying that history is written by the (election) winners.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

Interesting times for the Left: in one week, Thomas Mulcair launched his Angry Young Man campaign for the leadership of the NDP, and his ideological brethren launched the (so far limp) Occupy Ottawa campaign. Angry seems to be in the air. And Angry can be a powerful force. But a practical question: if they get their way and do manage to abolish capitalism, how will they secure a stable supply of Che Guevara t-shirts for the future? Could make for a lot of Angry people…

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:22:17 +0000

Thanksgiving always has me reflecting on the past year and the promise of good tidings to come. Fall is the most underrated of all the seasons. It’s more than passing strange such a glorious season gets so little attention. It’s not for want of trying, bringing us a bountiful harvest of just about every vegetable and grain we could want, even the trees scream with colour unseen but for a few weeks a year. And, perhaps this is why the autumnal season gets short shrift, it’s fleeting nature and slow crawl reminds us winter remains just around the corner. We’re Canadians – even in the deep of winter we can find things to be thankful for.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

I’m rarely impressed by the collective wisdom of voters. Last week’s return of Ontario’s truth-challenged premiere by a stunning minority – fewer than half of eligible electors got off their sofas, after all – to me underscores the alarming indifference stalking a public collective that is more taken with Dr. Oz than any ballot box. A pity, really, because we’re going to get exactly what most people couldn’t bother to order.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:50:48 +0000

Lessons from the Ontario election: That it’s not easy winning three straight majorities, but that it’s not automatic that two-term incumbents will lose. That you need a stronger platform than mostly copying your opponents but promising to be better than them. That it’s tough to win your first election as leader (ask Stephen Harper). That Tim Hudak is paying a price for Rob Ford. Now, on to sweeping aside campaign promises to confront the facts about the economy.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

If you think the federal election campaign used up all of the chattering classes’ energy when it comes to coalition talk, along comes a tightly contested Ontario election to get everyone buzzing about it again. This one, at time of writing, is just too close to call. I’m not even comfortable saying there will definitely be a minority government in place after Thursday night, because vote splits can do marvelous, crazy things sometimes. Andrea Horwath could be the kingmaker. But who’s the king? And what will he have to give up to get the crown?

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:28:17 +0000

Ontario election day is nearly upon us. It seems the race perhaps isn’t getting the attention it deserves because there is a lot at stake. A weak economy in Ontario drags down Canada. Ontario became a “have-not” province 3 years ago. You’d think that alone would inspire a climate of change among the electorate. McGuinty should be sent packing because things went array on his watch. But will he? Can’t pick the winner here though unsurprisingly I think Hudak deserves a shot.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

While some adhere to the adage ‘change for the sake of change’, bored or not, voters need to scrutinize the platforms of the parties seeking government in the coming provincial election. Are we really worse off than the slash and burn days of Mike Harris? My bet is on a progressive government that wants to move forward. Turning back the clocks, treating poverty like it’s a punishable offence and scraping legislation that ensures a sustainable future is about as palatable as chewing rocks.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:34:06 +0000

You know, normally it isn’t the government’s job to give dating advice, but surprisingly, men have received a lot of relationship tips from Stephen Harper’s years in power. For instance: don’t flirt with journalists via email, don’t leave secret papers at your girlfriend’s house, don’t let your girlfriend wear a provocative dress to Rideau Hall, don’t use your wife’s office for lobbying business if she’s an MP, and of course, if you are engaged to a former escort 40 years younger than you, think twice before getting into business with her as well.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

An MP got busted flirting with a Chinese state reporter. Not cool if you’re his wife. And, no, probably not too cool either if you’re his boss (the PM). But it’s a wee bit much to demand he be fired from all his duties such co-vetting C.V.s for a judicial appointment. Do we really, honestly, believe he’s now a Manchurian Candidate, sneakily subverting democracy by trying to stack the Supreme Court with communist sympathizers? Let’s keep our pants on, folks. (But, well… let’s all keep our pants on.)

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:04:48 +0000

Choices in the Ontario election are so pathetic next month I was prepared to show up, then decline my ballot as a vote for “none of the above.” Until, that is, Dalton offered a $10,000 tax credit to employers who hire – get this – foreign-trained newcomers (as opposed to we hapless Ontarians who’ve been paying for bad, bad government far too long). Liar, check. Arrogant, check. Dumb, check. Add contemptuous to Dalton’s credentials, and suddenly my decision is much easier.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Election here in Ontario, I think some people need a calmer disposition and a more hopeful outlook. Have the choices in any election ever been truly stellar? Or is this some-sort of nostalgia for a time our elders never really knew. As the wise Winston Churchill suggested: “Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” I wonder if those who would fail to see any redemption in the current crop of leaders wouldn’t mind letting me know what system of government they’d prefer?

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:53:15 +0000

Things are bad for the Liberals and the NDP so naturally everyone wants them to merge. Like in high school when you had two friends with relationship issues: let’s hook them up! Only problem is, your friends have little in common, don’t like each other and don’t agree on much. Also, one of them thinks he has a really good chance at finding the promised land without any help. But other than that, great idea!

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

Boy, didn’t take long for the lid to come off of the NDP leadership race, did it? Having seen the inside of a couple of these affairs through various iterations of conservative parties, I know they can be nasty affairs. And unfortunately for those involved, they tend to take on lives of their own.

Hence my hearty guffaws at some of my NDP friends (and Liberals too, actually) trying desperately to put the “merger” toothpaste back in the tube. As long as there are interim leaders in place of these two organizations, and no certainty about their longer-term future, there’s going to be speculation about some kind of fusion between them. Candidates and potential candidates can wave their arms and say, “No! It’s not on!” but the idea will remain in the media spotlight whether they like it or not. (Hey! Media spotlight? Maybe THAT’S why Pat Martin is interested in the idea!)

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:40:27 +0000

American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson argued that to be a success you only ever had to make one life better. By that measure Jack Layton was a resounding success millions of times over. In life and now in death he seems to have demonstrated a humanity and ingrained an optimism in many that has inspired a nation. You didn’t have to like his politics to respect the potency of his passion and his unwavering commitment to make Canada better.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Today, Canada lost one of its strongest advocates for fairness, equity and a better way forward. The passing of Jack Layton was mourned across this country, regardless of political affiliation, leaving the part of our hearts filled with hope a little emptier. A fighter for social justice, Jack was relentless in showing Canadians that the way ahead did not have to be bleak and compassionless but instead offered hope, optimism and ideas for a brighter tomorrow for everyone – regardless of social or economic stature. His parting words said better than I can what Jack was all about: ”My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” Goodbye from all of us Jack. You will be sorely missed.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:31:30 +0000

Yes, bathroom breaks seem to have become a recurring theme in our Prime Minister’s foreign diplomacy, but didn’t Winston Churchill and Lyndon Johnson do some of their best work from the facilities too? It may be that we’ll come to understand that’s why he’s being so stubborn about staying at 24 Sussex too, despite the urgent need for renovations. Maybe Stephen Harper is simply attached to the plumbing as it now exists?

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

Okay, so considering there’s a bathroom story every single time the PM travels abroad, we just have to conclude that they’re apocryphal. They gotta be. No other way to explain it. And no, nobody believes the (alleged!) delay in Brazil was due to a DIY Brazillian gone awry. So let’s just close the chapter on this one by saying it was a tremendously successful trade mission that opened new business opportunities for Canadian companies and diversified our export markets – just when we need it most. We can’t rely solely on the U.S. export market when their economy continues to be, um… stuck in the toilet.

YAROSLAV BARAN – Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Communications advisor. Tory. Occasional pundit, and occasionally irreverent.

anatheat — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:12:09 +0000

It’s nothing short of astonishing that this, the nation’s capital, home of the world’s largest outdoor skating rink and the world-recognized heritage Rideau Canal, never mind our iconic national institutions, doesn’t warrant a mention among 50 or so unique experiences for foreign visitors. That’s according to the latest list from Canadian Tourism Commission, recently relocated to Vancouver where fun apparently involves tossing bricks and Molotov cocktails … BC gets eight mentions ranging from tours of Granville Island to a ferry ride; Ontario comes second with six, including the CN Tower. Even Halifax gets two mentions – the Citadel and a brewery tour, of all things. But Ottawa? Zip. Better luck next time.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Ron’s right! The Ottawa areas should be featured on the list of Signature Experiences in Canada. There are countless places that deserve mention, here’s how to have my signature experience:

Kick off with a morning on Bank St. exploring the Village, an urban-revival-project I help with. Not nearly as big as Montreal’s gay mecca, nonetheless our uber-LGBTQ-friendly district features cupcakes, specialty shops and my favourite accessory store Stroked Ego. Then spend an afternoon at the recently renovated Museum of Nature, a solid mix of kid-friendly and adult-inclusive displays. End your night with the sound & light show on Parliament Hill – it’s not to be missed.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:22:47 +0000

John Baird says it’s a new era for Canada and China. Hmm, looks a lot like the old one: lots of trade and little chastising of human rights abuses. We shouldn’t be surprised; contradiction is everywhere. Reported crime is declining; the government wants tougher penalties. Dwight Duncan says Ontario is not “have-not”, despite $2 billion in equalization. Tim Hudak says he’s against abortion but won’t do anything about it. And these are the public positions of our leaders; no cell phones were hacked to uncover them.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

Fear not, political junkies! Despite the sleepiness that summertime brings to federal politics in the summertime, there are plenty of weird political things happening in the provinces. Plenty of good political scraps are taking shape. In BC, there’s a referendum on the HST coming down the pipe. In Alberta, the governing Conservatives are in a leadership race, while the Wildrose Alliance keeps plugging away getting ready for the eventual new premier. Manitoba’s NDP is trying hard to extend its hold on power in the face of a strong PC challenge.

That’s just a few of them. Here in Ontario, we might have the most interesting battle brewing of them all. The fixed election date has really turned the traditional five or six week campaign into an Ontario summer of political love. Or maybe political hate; I do realize there are people who actually can get enough of this stuff. Something seriously wrong with those people, though, am I right?

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:21:25 +0000

It seems obesity is in the news again. Now don’t get self-conscious and forsake the great food here at Spin but weigh in on this debate. For some, the natural default position is to call for more government regulations on food. While our food must be safe, people should be able to make their own choices about what they put in their stomachs. But we must make sure they make informed choices. Now eat that cheese-burger and forget you just read this.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Does government have a place in the pantries of our nation? When the price tag of obesity is tipping the scales at more than $5-billion annually and we all have to swallow the costs, someone’s got to step up and regulate our pounds per square inch. And who better than government? Stats show we are literally self-inflating by the day with no end in sight. Unless someone turns up the heat at the source … we may never get out of the kitchen.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:28:41 +0000

Some politicians might argue there’s not much difference between journalism and fiction. But in honour of leisurely summer reading — and with a nod to the News of the World scandal – I’d like to spin you on these three relatively new novels about modern journalism. First, The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman (bonus, he’s Canadian, though the book’s set in Rome, Paris and Cairo); second, The Spoiler, a debut novel from British author Annalena McAfee; and, last but not least, my favourite read of this year so far, The Financial Lives of the Poets, by Jess Walter. All three books deal with the existential crisis of journalism these days – Walters, in my view, tells the story closest to home, quite literally. Pick them all up, take them to a beach or a cottage, and enjoy summer!

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

When Parliament is not sitting, official Ottawa breathes easier while MPs are allegedly on vacation. Yet summer recess is actually the busiest time for MPs. Over 80% of their job is constituency work (immigration, EI, passports, grant requests, local issues, etc) so NOW is the time to listen and learn … especially for the 108 new MPs elected on May 2^nd. Summer 2011 is the first of several “probationary” periods in advance of their Election 2015 performance review.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:41:54 +0000

The royals have come and the royals have left. Hip, hip, hooray! While I’m not the biggest admirer of British excess, and easily avoided such commemorative treats as knock-off wedding cakes, cupcakes, cookies, regal ice cream and special bowls of royal soup, I applaud the international recognition Ottawa received for, among other things, its fine food. If it takes a royal visit to showcase our vibrant dining scene to the world, then bravo for us. I hope Will and Kate have a pleasant trip.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Visiting Ottawa? There is a wonderful fountain you should visit. It is in Confederation Park in Ottawa. A gift to Canada from a grateful United Kingdom after WW2. Formerly installed in London’s Trafalgar Square from 1845 – 1939, its’ twin fountain in Regina is dedicated to the founding of the North-West Mounted Police HQ in Regina. Both are known as “Trafalgar Fountain” locally. The twin fountains were designed by the architect of the current Palace of Westminster – the home of the UK Parliament.

Over on Parliament Hill, tucked into an alcove in the Speakers hallway (just inside the left-hand side hall when you approach the Library of Parliament) is another gift to Canada, this time from a grateful France – it is a bust by Auguste Rodin simply titled Le France. A truly hidden gem worth hunting down.

See! We can demonstrate our links to the UK – and other founding countries of Canada – and it can have nothing to do with the Monarchy.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:58:55 +0000

Making quick changes to the Senate are like ordering a plate of spaghetti for your hungry toddler: you think you’re solving a problem but you’re actually creating a big mess. Nobody will line up against elections and term limits as a replacement for 35-year appointments, but has anyone actually thought through how an elected Senate would change our democracy? Would elected senators be so quick to pass the government’s agenda? Or would they end up – like your toddler – with more power than you ever imagined possible?

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

While it’s only been the shortest of Parliamentary sessions, a few things have become obvious in the early going. The most prominent is that Prime Minister Harper has clearly put more time and thought into how he would handle a majority government than Jack Layton has into how he would handle the job of Opposition Leader.

The PM has racked up a few easy, popular wins in the early going, in particular on the labour front, with numbers showing that the public is in no mood for long, drawn out labour disputes and strikes.

Meanwhile, Layton has mostly been forced into defending or explaining outdated NDP stances, and cornered into standing with unions that don’t get much sympathy from the public.

This is just one early example of a smart Prime Minister controlling the agenda of a majority, on his terms and with the public broadly on side. He’ll win some and lose some, but until the NDP convinces itself to break free of its own ideological traps on these issues, Harper will win more than he loses. Something for Jack to think about over the summer.

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:19:48 +0000

This week saw the debut of more young MPs in the House than ever before, most from the NDP. Funny how pre-election we all agreed the voice and energy of youth was direly missing, yet right after the ballots were counted, the papers were filled with criticism and mockery. While they may stumble while nervously asking their first question, how ’bout we hold off passing judgement and give the kids a chance?

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

The kids are on the Parliament Hill campus and good for them I say. Nothing like the exuberance and naïveté of youth to inject some fresh energy into federal politics. They’ll make mistakes but who cares they have the potential to connect traditional politics to their peers who often think it irrelevant. If they can make a connection to the broader public and shake things up then that is success.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

anatheat — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:50:42 +0000

All three recognized parties in the Commons are holding conventions within the space of 10 days this month: Conservatives in Ottawa, New Democrats in Vancouver and Liberals … in cyberspace. The convention venues, when you think about it, present a fitting postscript to Election 2011: Conservatives meet in their all-business workplace, New Democrats in picturesque splendour and the Liberals…. well, nowhere.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

The national press gallery continues to search for the mythical Tory hidden agenda in the spirit of Sisyphus, the NDP runs its how to be an MP boot camps, and the Liberals adjust to offices/caucus rooms off Parliament Hill: yet most Canadians simply visit family, friends or the cottage, tend their gardens and/or enjoy our way too-short summer all the while ignoring official Ottawa and politics … as they should! Amen

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:28:21 +0000

A dedicated omnivore, I have long supported the hard work of local farmers and producers. Truly, our well-stocked markets are the envy of the world. But must consumers pay $4 for a skimpy bundle of local asparagus at an outdoor market when the same grown elsewhere in Ontario can be had at a grocery store for $2 a pound? Inflated prices serve no long-term purpose. I shouldn’t have to feel punished by shopping local.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

anatheat — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:30:32 +0000

Saying you’re making the Senate more democratic by appointing senators who just lost an election is like ordering steak as a way of becoming vegetarian. With majorities in both houses, the Conservatives are running out of time to credibly argue that they can’t make the changes they’ve promised. Next question: will a democratic Senate be much more powerful? Will it change how government works? And if so, shouldn’t we have a bigger debate about reform?

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa CitizenColumnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of activity that takes place in the weeks between an election and the resulting Parliament reconvening. Cabinet speculation! Shadow cabinet speculation! New leadership races! Senate appointments! But I fear official Ottawa may be building itself up for a certain amount of disappointment.

All this excitement will soon give way to a short parliamentary session before the sleepy summer break – the first majority session we’ve seen in about seven years. Many seem to have forgotten just how mundane a majority parliament can quickly become. Hey, as a Conservative, I’m not complaining about a majority. But the predictability and stability that comes with it might do serious damage to the Canadian punditry industry. Summer vacation planning, on the other hand, just got far more certain for everyone.

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:02:24 +0000

It was no accident that freshly re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed three defeated Tory candidates to the Senate barely minutes after naming his new Cabinet. It was his way of saying that for the next five years, the words ‘majority government’ means he can do whatever he wants, wherever he wants, whenever he wants. And if you think turning the Chamber of Somber Second Thought into the Chamber of Second Time Around is something, me thinks we ain’t seen nothing yet.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

The Canadian Senate needs reform. Senators should be elected. However, our current absurd political reality is we have to appoint people so they can change the rules to bring forward elections. The comedic material it provides Rick Mercer is priceless. Not much difference between our senate and a pretzel it is just cheaper, tasty and not hard to swallow.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

anatheat — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:29:49 +0000

If you believe the majority Conservative government will implement its “hidden agenda”, you will be very disappointed over the next four years. The economy remains as the Conservatives’ consuming focus and Prime Minister Stephen Harper will continue to hug the centre-right in terms of policy direction. Bookmakers are giving better odds on finding Jimmy Hoffa’s remains or the lost city of Atlantis over the mythical Conservative “hidden agenda”. As for intrigue and agendas, watch the Liberal leadership machinations …

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

After the dust had settled from the May 2 election, we in the media asked ourselves: How did we used to cover majority government? What do we write about, now that we don’t have to write speculative pieces about when Canada will be plunged into another election?

Well, we figured it out: Liberal leadership! The divided Liberal caucus! Is Bob Rae the next Liberal messiah or “yesterday’s man”? Though the Grits were knocked to third place on May 2, our ongoing fascination with that party continues. Hard habit to break, I guess.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:20:11 +0000

Seems only a month ago I opined that our mainstream political leaders are such caricatures they have become completely unbelievable. Oh, I said wistfully, if only we had space on the ballot for None of The Above …

Well, turns out that’s exactly what many voters decided by electing an unprecedented number of novices with no track record in anything, notably in Quebec, up to and including a phalanx of students and complete unknowns — in one instance, an assistant university pub manager who’d never visited “her” adopted riding in Trois Rivières, and would rather vacation in Las Vegas than meet the electorate. Apparently, she can’t even address her constituents in their majority language, French, yet she managed to unseat the Bloc incumbent, in office since 2004, by an astonishing 6,000 votes.

We may not – yet – have degenerated to the point of appointing horses to the Imperial Roman senate, but surely many thousands of Canadian voters did much the same thing by throwing darts at the ballot. Or pinning our electoral fortunes like missing tails on so many donkeys.

The farce continues.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Pundits fail to predict majority

When I’m talking to the media I try to tell my own truth.
During the 2011 election I tried to analyze and not spin. I approach each opportunity to comment as a chance to explain how politics works. I think the more we know about the system the better. I’m one of the few who believes so-called “process stories” are important – mechanics of campaigns are fascinating and young people like to read and see behind-the-scenes accounts. It’s one of the reasons The West Wing was so popular.
Reflection on analysis is important.
My biggest error as a pundit in this campaign? I couldn’t resist trying to predict things. It’s very bad idea, as I learned talking heads are often wrong.
So, my prediction for the October 19th, 2015 election? Well, I predict that by then I’ll have broken my addiction to prediction.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:40:10 +0000

The two biggest factors that cause voters to fire governments are fatigue (usually after eight or nine years) and a bad economy. So opposition parties shouldn’t be surprised that the Conservatives didn’t plummet in the polls once the campaign began. But there is clearly some fatigue with the cynical approach of the traditional parties – attack ads, spin-doctoring, campaigns about nothing – or the NDP wouldn’t be the only party that ended the campaign with rising numbers.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen ColumnistWriter and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

I have a feeling the three weeks following this election campaign are going to be even more interesting and unpredictable than the last three weeks of the campaign itself. A Stephen Harper majority isn’t impossible; we’re in uncharted waters on projecting seats out of polls. He’s said he would be proud to accept another minority. The question is, would the opposition parties accept it too?

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

anatheat — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:30:48 +0000

The election is almost over and the real story when people wake up on May 3rd might be what is going on with the Centre-Left in Canada. If the NDP eats into the Liberal vote on election night watch for the return of the calls for an NDP – Liberal merger. That could be the most fascinating result of this campaign.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

The most fascinating result of this campaign could be the the weight voters place on substance over attack. The remarkable surge in popularity for Jack Layton and the flat-lined numbers for Stephen Harper point to the possibility that folks are tired of political games and more intrigued with ideas. Unless he gets the majority he is seeking this time around – and it doesn’t look like he will – the real story on election day could be a about a Prime Minister looking for another job.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

anatheat — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:59:06 +0000

#elxn41 is boring. As a partisan I’m bored! It’s all “process” stories about this candidate’s website, that candidate skipping debates, another candidate’s past or the latest vacuous Twitterverse musings. The media and the parties are equally complicit in this tawdry tedium. The debates were policy free & the polls for all parties really haven’t moved in three weeks. Maybe they could discuss policy … for a change. Then Canadians might pay attention.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

Celebrate the holidays… talk politics! The past few elections have criss-crossed with holidays: Christmas in 2005-06, Thanksgiving in 2008 and now, this year, Easter and Passover as the 2011 campaign winds down to the final days. Polls have shown that folks often come to come conclusions about how to vote around the holiday dinner table, so watch for things to get interesting as soon as the long weekend is over…

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:47:41 +0000

With the federal election weighing upon us, I’m not the only hapless Canadian who’s more than a little discouraged by the choices at hand. We’ve read of so much incompetence, seen so much cronyism, heard so many broken promises at both federal and provincial levels that credibility in my mind has become the real unspoken issue. Our leaders can pledge whatever they like – abolish the gun registry, no new taxes, whatever — but given their record I believe none of it. Bottom line: I suspect more opportunism than selfless dedication – it’s all about the pursuit of power — which leaves me wondering whether a protest vote for someone who may be sincere but has absolutely zilch chance of winning is more effective. Yes, I will definitely vote; no, not for the parties that have so disappointed us time and time again. I only wish there was a spot on the ballot for “none of the above.”

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

I’m dubbing this “The Week of the War Rooms”. I think this week was all about small pawns being moved on the board. A certain amount of tactical stuff plays out in every campaign; this campaign has had a whole week devoted to it. Political operatives amped up their inter-party warfare and press release slinging. This will heat up and then cool off slightly as we enter debate week. We saw the NDP expose a candidate in QC that should have never got past Liberal vetting. Conservatives knocked out a transcript of Liberal Wild Rose candidates awkward and damaging statements. And, the Liberals proved they have much to teach other parties about quick-turn-around ads. All this proving: the Canadian Federal Election might actually be interesting soon.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:40:18 +0000

The most overused word of the campaign has switched from “coalition” to “consortium.” I’d prefer Harper and Ignatieff debate one-on-one, but if we must have other parties, let’s create a format that creates a real debate about real issues instead of the free-for-all we saw in 2008. Ignatieff tweeted, “Any time, any place” to Harper. Harper responded that the Liberals blocked that format. If they’re prepared to debate on Twitter, why not in person?

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

The waters are muddied with way too many process stories around the televised leaders’ debates. There’s been a disproportionate focus on Elizabeth May’s exclusion, and on the merits of a one-on-one debate between Michael Ignatieff and the Prime Minister.

All this peripheral talk likely suits Ignatieff just fine in the lead-up period. He acknowledges himself that his policy proposals are unaffordable without massive tax increases, so why not talk process instead?

MIKE STORESHAW - Executive Counsel, Delta Media Inc.
Veteran of the right, relatively speaking. Family guy, communicator, aficionado of good food, and great snark.

Our Chefs shine at the Maple Leaf Pork Competition!

anatheat — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:32:19 +0000

This weekend, the Maple Leaf Pork Competition was held at Algonquin College. With 18 Chefs showing off their talents, the competition was fierce. Our Executive Chef, Steve Gugelmeier, as well as two other Chefs from our kitchen, Han Lin and Abisheik Shetye, also competed. We are proud to say that our Chefs did not disappoint with Chef Steve being awarded the silver medal and Chefs Lin and Shetye finishing with a bronze. This ‘Iron Chef’ style competition was certainly a challenge. With only 60 minutes to prepare and plate the dish, “timing is as critical an ingredient as anything else” according to Chef Steve. To find out more, check out Ron Eade’s blog. Thanks to Ron Eade as well for the photo (right) of Chef Steve’s winning plate: Forest Fire Pork Duo.

anatheat — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:28:23 +0000

Here we go again. A fourth federal election in 7 years. Thanks be to god the bar at Spin is well stocked. We all might need to imbibe to cope with the tsunami of political spin we’ll be subject to in the next 5 weeks. Don’t suspect much will change when the results come in. But campaigns matter and so does a fine wine. Bring them both on.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Yes, indeed, here we go again. Another election looms on the horizon. And while all political parties are keen, the question is: are we?

T S Eliot once said, “An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of poultry.” A pretty jaundiced view of the democratic process but perhaps one that is widely shared. Well, maybe we just need to look at what’s happening around the world today to shake up our perspective. Yes, this may be our 4th election in 7 years … but, by god, at least we’ve got them.

So, forget the w(h)ine. Crack out the champagne.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

“spin” in the News

anatheat — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:50:22 +0000

“spin” Kitchen & Bar is featured in the spring edition of Ottawa At Home magazine. Paula Roy, Food Editor, writes: “The options for downtown dining got a boost with the opening of “spin” Kitchen & Bar at the Marriott Hotel. The fresh, creative menu is complemented by a warm, contemporary décor featuring a muted palette with splashes of colour, accented by a lush sound system and subtle, effective lighting. It’s a grand, open space that is structured to offer a seamless flow into the tastefully refurbished lobby area”. Read the complete article here.

Join us at the Japanese Relief Dinner

anatheat — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:45:34 +0000

The devastation from Japan’s earthquake and subsequent tsunami is immense and continues to get worse. Many in our community have friends, family and loved ones in Japan who have been affected by this disaster. Please show your support by attending the Japanese Relief Dinner, organized by the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation of Chefs and Cooks (CCFCC). As a member of the CCFCC, our Chef Steve Gugelmeier will be one of the Chefs donating his time, skill and passion! All funds raised will go to Care Canada.

March 31 @ 6 pm @ Brookstreet Hotel – For tickets, click here.
For delicious details about the menu, check out Ron Eade’s blog.
To donate auction items please contact britta.gerwin@gmail.com.

Thank you to Jean Levac from the Ottawa Citizen for the photo. Pictured here (L to R): Steven Gugelmeier of Ottawa Marriott, Ikuo Kanbayashi of Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, Russell Weir of the Sheraton Ottawa, and Caroline Ishii of ZenKitchen.

anatheat — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:33:18 +0000

A long time ago, a politician named Stephen Harper used to talk about a Triple-E Senate: elected, equal and effective. Today’s Stephen Harper talks about three Es in terms of the next election campaign and what will be the most important factor in winning or losing. Is it the Economy, Ethics or Ethnic voters? Notice that a fourth E, the environment, isn’t on the list.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

A few weeks back, I predicted no federal election in 2011. Rationally, there WAS and IS no reason for one to occur However, time, events and the naked pursuit and/or preservation of power trump reason, rationality and sadly, reality. The big question now for a most likely spring election is one of voter turnout as Canadians may say a pox on all political houses and vote with their feet by not voting.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:12:34 +0000

I’ve long been confused about the notion of sustainability of our food supply, if only because I suspect it is conveniently used to justify lifestyle over practicality. No doubt it’s laudable to choose, say, salmon over endangered Chilean sea bass – I’m all for saving threatened stocks of the Patagonian toothfish – but if everyone favours wild species while rejecting farmed because the latter is criticized for its environmental impact, then how long do we suppose the wild stocks will remain to sustain us? We used to have a helluva lot of cod, remember? And if we turn our backs on modern agriculture and buy only organic, I question whether small idyllic operations, complete with images of Dorothy skipping rope in the barnyard, can really feed our hungry planet.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty

Election speculation is all the pundit-class in Ottawa cares about right now. Listen closely to that table next to yours if you don’t believe me. See? What did I tell you? Speculation about the timing of the election. It breaks down this way: Team 2011 (these are the folks who think a pre-Christmas election is likely) rest their theory on polls. That is, Tories riding high in the polls means they will force an election. And, Team 2012 thinks there’s compromise to be made by one of the three opposition parties. It’s the talk of the town. So which team are you batting for? I want to hear from you, tweet me @iancapstick or email ian@mediastyle.ca

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:50:18 +0000

Why aren’t there more women in the House? Maybe because they don’t want to be there. Lots of women want better gender balance, but how many are prepared to run themselves? Despite efforts to attract female candidates, many women still chose to stay out. Perhaps the things that draw men to politics – competitiveness, egomania – are less prevalent in women. Maybe they think they can have more impact elsewhere. There’s little stopping women from entering politics, other than common sense. Maybe they’re just smarter than the guys.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

A striking three quarters of Canada’s elected politicians are men, an abysmal statistic that virtually hasn’t budged in years. And it’s not that women don’t want to be in the House; it’s that we just don’t like that particular abode. From the dirty knock ‘em down antics of QP to behaviour that would make a kindergartener cringe, frankly, we just don’t want to play. Kinda unfortunate because this country could use a big hit of nation improving ideas over cat calls and jeers. Is it time to change the numbers — and politics for the better? Absolutely. But before we do, how about changing the rules of the game?

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

Chef Steve drops by /A\ Morning Ottawa

anatheat — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 13:17:12 +0000

Chef Steve was happy to participate in /A\ Morning’s ‘Cook This!’ special on Friday, March 4th to support local produce. The /A\ Morning Ottawa crew chose the ingredients and Chef Steve came up with the dishes: cucumber mint smoothie, veggie strudel and rhubarb upside-down cake. If you missed it, check out one of our live segments or why not try making the strudel yourself at home with our recipe. Thanks to /A\ Morning Ottawa for the photo!

Secrets from the kitchen

anatheat — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:40:57 +0000

Did you ever wish that the Chef would come out of the kitchen and describe his dishes to you? Well, this is as close at we can get. When we say we’re focused on fresh, local cuisine, we mean it. Check out our All-day and Bar Eats menu with preparation and ingredient descriptions. Of course, some secrets we kept to ourselves!

anatheat — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:44:23 +0000

An odor in isolation is easy to ignore. One minute it’s here; the next minute it’s gone. But when too many ‘Odas’ permeate the House, the smell has a tendency to linger. By itself, the Bev Oda controversy may not be a game changer. But what we lose when integrity and good public administration is questioned too often is the faith we need to have in good government. And that’s a real stinker.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

If there is an odor around the Oda controversy I suspect the smell won’t linger. Good public administration and integrity matter but when the story is a twisted mangled knot the voters are not likely to cry foul. Let the pundits howl.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

anatheat — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:25:38 +0000

You may think you’re minding your own business, but actually, it is currently politically correct to say that you are minding your own “job creators.” According to the openparliament.ca website, “job creator” has been used more than 60 times in the Commons as a synonym for business since Parliament resumed last fall. No one’s explained why we need a new word for “business” in the current political lexicon, but somehow I can’t imagine Bachman-Turner Overdrive belting out an anthem like: “Taking Care of Job Creators.”
SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

In politics, words are weapons. Words that are visual and emotive can be devastatingly lethal such as the adjective “reckless”. Tories say an Ignatieff-led coalition would be reckless for Canada. Liberals contend that job-creator (like that Susan?) tax cuts are reckless. NDPers believe the government’s style is reckless for democracy. And the Bloc Québecois has recklessly (but wisely) abandoned its raison d’être. Sadly, the term “reckless” is now over-used and such reckless posturing is rendering the word as useless, which truly is reckless.
WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:19:02 +0000

I don’t quite understand the hullabaloo about certified organic chicken. I roasted one the other day and, while it was delicious (frankly, I love the stuff) neither I nor my family could taste any difference. While I don’t quibble with the fact some prefer free-range poultry raised on certified organic grain, in a stress-free environment minus antibiotics and hormones (hormones have been banned in poultry since the 1960s, in any event) is it really worth $11 a kilo – more than double the cost of ordinary chicken?

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty.

Organic used to mean something. The label was most often applied to small local growers, with sustainable practices who refused the agricultural industry spray-and-wash methods of pest control and antibiotic dosing and cramped caging of livestock. In other words “organic” used to mean: food made in the good old fashioned way. Now as large scale producers churn out identical-apple-after-identical-apple they are grabbing onto the trend and doing it “organically”. Does it make the chicken taste better? Likely not. Is it worth the increased price? I think it’s only worth paying more if you get the tangible benefit of speaking or knowing the producer. For instance, in Ottawa and across Canada folks gladly fork over more to foster organic relationships at famers’ markets each summer. That’s worth it.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:00:31 +0000

Corporate tax cuts: the rhetorical issue over which an election might be caused and fought. Liberals say they are handouts to banks with billion-dollar profits. Conservatives tell you they are indispensible job creators. The truth is like the meat in your sandwich: somewhere in between. But the meat may be moot. The NDP probably like the idea of an election even less than the cuts, so they might cut a deal to back the budget.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

To cut corporate taxes or not cut corporate taxes? That may be the question. But for the Tories – who dragged it from the back burner to the front – is it really a winning issue for the ‘stop the gravy train’ crowd? Seems to me that if your peeps live on Main Street, you don’t campaign on Bay Street. For a political party that prides itself on having its finger on the pulse of the Don Cherry crowd, I say this one’s a hoser.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

Share the love at “spin” this Valentine’s Day

anatheat — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:05:38 +0000

Savour our cuisine with your significant other this Valentine’s Day. Our Chefs have created a three-course menu that’s sure to delight. Start off your culinary adventure with an Asian pear, fennel and yellow beet salad or seared scallops with crispy double smoked bacon and creamed cabbage. Your choice of main courses includes slow-braised Ontario lamb shank, Ashton Town Trout or Asparagus Brie Risotto. Finish off the night with cookies & cream and raspberry pearls. View the complete menu here. Available Feb. 12th, 13th and 14th for $44 plus taxes and gratuities.

anatheat — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:28:11 +0000

Ottawa is all a twitter about a recent patch of political ads. Or maybe Twitter has gone all Ottawa on the advertisements. The commercials don’t mean a spring election is a certainty rather they speak to the contemporary reality of minority parliaments where campaigning never stops. But what would Ottawa’s political class do if they didn’t have the possibility of an election to talk about?

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

The excited reaction on the Hill to the latest round of political ads would lead you to think nothing much was going on. In fact, there’s been plenty else to talk about: a prime ministerial trip covering maternal health and free trade comes to mind. So do historic uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. I wonder what people are talking about outside Ottawa: the possibility of democracy in two dictatorships? The cost of hydro? The unemployment rate? Or the same old, same old of parties taking shots at each other?

LAURA PAYTON – Health, environment and consumer affairs reporter at Sun Media
Trouble maker with a taste for good food, dark chocolate and fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

anatheat — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:09:18 +0000

The best political-spin award for 2011 (so far) has to go to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who told Peter Mansbridge that the chances of an election were “50-50.” We’ll either have an election – or we won’t. That probably should be the standard answer to any campaign speculation in the weeks ahead. As for who’s going to win – I’d say all the leaders have a 50-50 chance of doing well.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

When Parliament resumes on January 31^st, the commentariat will persist with its facile election speculation given the new Conservative, Liberal and NDP ads on-line and on air. But the government will not fall on Budget 2011 this March, bet on it! This is about posturing, message testing, fundraising, fundraising and, more fundraising. Just ask any partisan about recent direct mail appeals they’ve received. Its politics as usual until there is a real question on which to consult Canadians … in 2012.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 19:36:17 +0000

Amazing, don’t you think, how a handful of misinformed animal rights activists can cause our painfully politically correct National Capital Commission to completely revamp its planned Winterlude kickoff dinner on Feb. 4, simply because the invited chef, Martin Picard of television’s The Wild Chef fame, would have likely served foie gras. Good on Picard for having backbone enough to quit the dinner on principle. Chalk up another victory for vexatious vegans in tennis shoes with nothing better to do than harass the public, in this case 450 customers who paid $125 a ticket to enjoy Picard’s rustic Quebec cuisine. Unlike the noisy critics, I have visited a foie gras operation in Quebec and witnessed first-hand how ducks are treated to fatten their livers. There is no cruelty, period. Truth is, the activists will not rest until humans use no animals for anything — no pets, no horse-drawn sleighs, no roast beef, no milk. Sad to see such a graphic demonstration of who really is in charge.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty.

Animal rights activists aren’t to blame for Ottawa’s missing out on the chef stylings of Martin Picard from Montreal. While these critics may be noisy and wrong headed, at least they care about something and care enough to take to the streets. I’m not going to fault them for getting exactly what they wanted: more veggies and no foie gras at Winterlude. NCC should never have asked a Canadian star chef to cook without his star ingredient. Chef Martin Picard should never have initially agreed to cook without the duck-liver only to weeks later disrespectfully renege on that promise and back out entirely. If the NCC wanted a milquetoast chef they should have booked Chef Michael Smith in the first place. The NCC knew they were getting controversy – and then they got too scared to court it. Classic Ottawa.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:31:16 +0000

An election should be like a good Grilled NY Striploin: rare and bloody. You don’t want one every day, but when you do have one, it had better be good and juicy. Since a spring election would likely be less substantial than the rice paper in the Wrap Trio, what’s the point? But here’s the problem: right now every party is saying they don’t want an election. Which means there might be one after all.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

Staying with Mark’s steak theme, if we compare an election to a steak how about instead of rare and bloody, we get one that is substantive with lots of meat on the bone? Could we have an election where substance transcends sizzle? Where there are actual issues debated instead of, well, spin? Elections in Canada aren’t rare but what would be are solutions and ideas. How ‘bout an election this time around that is ‘well done’.

JOAN WEINMAN – Senior Media Communications Strategist for the Melbourne Group
Rabble-rouser and fashionista determined to change the world…in designer shoes.

“spin” in the news

anatheat — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:44:41 +0000

Ottawa Citizen Food Editor and one of our very own “spin” Doctors, Ron Eade, recently wrote a column about what’s happening on the Ottawa restaurant scene in 2011. You can read all about it here. Also, some of Ottawa finest Chefs were asked what Ottawa food lovers should be excited about in 2011. Find out what our Executive Chef Steven Gugelmeier had to say here.

anatheat — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:46:57 +0000

Some suggested New Year’s resolutions for our federal MPs.
1) Stay off Canadians’ doorsteps looking for votes until 2012.
2) Play nice with each other on the economy because that actually matters.
3) Whenever you feel the need to dial up the meaningless bickering give us all a tax credit for ear plugs – that is a budget item we’d all support.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

I’d like to see our MPs resolve to remember most Canadians don’t watch Question Period or committees, and to know they look pretty vicious to viewers who do watch. To keep in mind they’re all there to make public policy better, even if they disagree with the MP on the other side of the room. To keep reporters from getting lazy by refusing to gossip about their leader. That’s an easy story, not a useful one.

LAURA PAYTON – Health, environment and consumer affairs reporter at Sun Media
Trouble maker with a taste for good food, dark chocolate and fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

anatheat — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:28:11 +0000

The two most-asked political questions in Ottawa are: 1. “When’s the election?” and 2. “Is the PMO too powerful/controlling/secretive’? The New Year may give us a prompt answer to that first question. But it may also give us some new material for conversation around that second issue. Nigel Wright takes over as the PM’s new chief of staff in January, and many of us are going to be watching to see what changes he ushers in — if any.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

My friend Susan raises great points opposite. Here is my take for 2011. I predict (for what it’s worth) that there will be no federal election in 2011 as the polls/incentives/issues will not align for the opposition parties. As for Nigel Wright as the new Chief of Staff in PMO, he will bring a centralist, steady and mature hand to the task.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

anatheat — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:05:12 +0000

“We all love Christmas — the good food, the good cheer, receptions overflowing with wonderful food and drink, fa la la la. But, does it mean we have to be hit up for charity every single time we enter a grocery store, bank, a beer store or – the worst offender – a liquor store? I mean, season’s greetings are well and good, and it’s only fair to remember (and assist) the less fortunate at any time of year. But do we really need to be accosted for donations every time we go shopping? Or post a letter?”

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty.

There are a few radio talk show hosts in Canada that have an annual run at Members of Parliament so-called “vacations” from Ottawa. With all the bluster and might you would expect they bellow to their faithful listeners that MPs are “wasting your taxpayers dollars” with months long breaks from the Hill. Meanwhile, the elected are fanned out across the country – attending countless events, one-on-one appointments, investing hundreds of hours of reading reports, legislations and responding to Canadians – not to mention eking out just a touch of time for their families. Canada is a big country. Some Northern ridings take nearly 24 hours to trek to and from Ottawa. So next time you hear one of the angry voices bray, call up and say “give MPs a bit of a break, eh.”

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

anatheat — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:18:03 +0000

This Christmas, I’d like to buy the world a coke, but it might be difficult to share among 6.7 billion people. Instead, maybe I’ll buy Don Cherry a plain blue suit and respectfully request he retire from municipal politics. Would I be a Grinch if my wish list also included Stephen Harper’s retirement from rock and roll? Rather than belting out Guess Who songs, I prefer prime ministers to be like the butter knife next to your menu: dull but effective.

MARK SUTCLIFFE – Talk Show Host for CFRA, CPAC and Rogers TV; Ottawa Citizen Columnist
Writer and broadcaster who likes to run – but not for public office, thank you

This year, my holiday wish is for a little less performance art in politics and a little more substance. I hope MPs will dial back the over-the-top outrage in committees. Make fewer speeches to witnesses and ask more questions. In Question Period – and in responses to reporters – put a little more information into the answers. There’s a difference between replying with a string of words and actually responding to a query. Let’s start fresh in the new year and hope for better.

LAURA PAYTON – Health, environment and consumer affairs reporter at Sun Media
Trouble maker with a taste for good food, dark chocolate and fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Living the SweetLife at “spin”

anatheat — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:47:42 +0000

The folks at SweetSpot.ca dropped by for a bite and check out what they had to say about our crème brûlée here.

anatheat — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:10:02 +0000

Spin the recipe – First soak in a pot and clean. Then take one large tablespoon of truth. Add sprinkles of your favorite spice. A pinch of sugar never hurts. Find a suitable wine to help in the marinating process. Let sit for a little while. Then have a trusted sous-chef taste. Make the required alterations perhaps add a sprinkle of salt to add to the flavor. Bake intensely in oven on high heat. Remove from oven. When ready and the texture is firm serve to guests with enthusiasm and a smile on your face. Second helpings often discouraged. Encourage diners to look forward to the next course.

TIM POWERS – VP Summa Strategies and Conservative Commentator
A has-been rugby player from The Rock who likes the scrum.

Spin is a pejorative word, but persuasion is a necessary part of working on the Hill. Reporters expect politicos to try to convince us they’re right. And the right recipe makes it a lot more persuasive. Honesty should be your primary ingredient. The truth is always the best base. Add to that a healthy splash of good humour and a dash of manners – don’t snap about bias just because I ask a hard question – and you’ll find you should be able to get your point across. Sugar-coating is highly overrated.

LAURA PAYTON – Health, environment and consumer affairs reporter at Sun Media
Trouble maker with a taste for good food, dark chocolate and fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

anatheat — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:44:15 +0000

“Spin” is deservedly a pejorative, poor and paltry term. Great communicators, journalists, politicians and/or lobbyists DO NOT spin, they DO communicate. But if we must persist with defining the spin narrative, good “spin” is an authentic mix of facts, emotion and timing…a compelling story, ergo, it is not spin. Bad “spin” is disingenuous bumph, no matter how eloquent it may sound. Pathetic “spin” is a one-way ticket to a career outside communications.

WALTER ROBINSON – Principal, Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc.
Mostly blue, but sometimes mauve. Leans right, boxes right, shoots and bats left…

Good spin is telling the truth – or as much as you can – about your own motives. It usually involves the assumption that your audience or listener is intelligent. Bad spin is telling lies, or talking about your opponents’ motives. Pathetic spin usually revolves around questioning journalists’ motives. And the worst spin to give to a reporter? “That’s not a story.” Unless you became my boss overnight, that phrase is meaningless to me and almost always guarantees that it IS a story.

SUSAN DELACOURT – Senior Political Writer, Toronto Star
She’s been covering Parliament Hill since the late 1980s, when politicians and journalists used to like each other.

anatheat — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:28:42 +0000

The Internet has been liberating for many people on many levels. Not so praiseworthy, however, is how it has provided a platform to the derivative, injecting confusion where there was once delineation and focus. In my business, food journalism, blogging has attracted a legion of karaokes such that everyone with a $300 laptop who ate dinner last night thinks they are A.J. Liebling. In the blogosphere, credentials are neither required nor sought, and while that provides laudable and widespread dissemination of thought and opinion, it also elevates graffiti to a status that, in another world in another time, would have been dismissed as garden variety narcissism.

RON EADE – Iconoclastic Food Editor for the Ottawa Citizen since 1998
Loves to cook, eat, and tell folks what he thinks. Don’t get him going on Dalton McGuinty.

The culture of Canadian politics is at risk. Parliament Hill has always been a place where partisan punches are thrown. The value of reaching across the aisle is being forgotten in Ottawa. Character assassination via blitzkrieg television tactics is now standard practice. Negotiation and civil debate are not. Canadians – for the most part – don’t vote along party lines. They vote with a mix of feelings and intentions. It’s time the Conservatives recognized this and sidelined the more angry partisan rhetoric. Parliament is the only place where putting a little water in the wine is a good thing.

IAN CAPSTICK – Owner of MediaStyle, a progressive communications company
Pundit and foodie from the left of the political dial. He spends much of his day over caffeinated.

“spin” in the news

anatheat — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:28:27 +0000

Ottawa Citizen’s Food Editor, Ron Eade, captures what “spin” is all about in his November 4th column. Find out what we’re spinning from our General Manager, Daniel Laliberté as our Executive Chef, Steven Gugelmeier, prepares three delicious dishes for Ron. Click here to see the complete article and photos.