Following his delivery of the federal budget yesterday, Finance Minister Bill Morneau hosted a post-budget reception in the Sir John A. MacDonald building and, while his budget ran a deficit in order to make overdue investments in Canadian infrastructu…
Continue readingAuthor: Jeff Jedras
A BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Produce, consumer products, grain-fed beef on grain-fed buns and Canadian actors
Having got caught up with work after a well-timed constituency, here’s a round-up of a few receptions from the last few weeks. Getting these out of the way before budget season next week.Canadian Produce Marketing AssociationProduce is getting really e…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Produce, consumer products, grain-fed beef on grain-fed buns and Canadian actors
Having caught up with work after a well-timed constituency week, here’s a round-up of a few receptions from the last few weeks. Getting these out of the way before budget season next week.Canadian Produce Marketing AssociationProduce is getting really …
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Someone prorogue these perogies
I spent the last provincial election in Parkdale-High Park, and among several regrets is that I didn’t take the opportunity to sample some real, homemade, honest to goodness Ukranian perogies. Maybe I’ll have the opportunity when I’m in Winnipeg in May…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Someone prorogue these perogies
I spent the last provincial election in Parkdale-High Park, and among several regrets is that I didn’t take the opportunity to sample some real, homemade, honest to goodness Ukranian perogies. Maybe I’ll have the opportunity when I’m in Winnipeg in May…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: You don’t order a burger at the Parliamentary Restaurant
I forgot what I’ll assume should be one of the foodie rules: don’t order something simple at a place that specializes in the fancier things. Or, put another way, if you want a burger go to a burger joint.I found myself for the second time in the Parlia…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: You don’t order a burger at the Parliamentary Restaurant
I forgot what I’ll assume should be one of the foodie rules: don’t order something simple at a place that specializes in the fancier things. Or, put another way, if you want a burger go to a burger joint.I found myself for the second time in the Parlia…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: A valourous steak sandwich
Last Wednesday was my birthday and, while I had plans for a few root beers that evening, I didn’t have time for a luxurious lunch. So I ducked into the swanky newish cafeteria in the Valour Building to try out one of its grill selections.
Valour (the staff tell me) is the only precinct cafeteria with an actual grill, which allows them to offer a permanent selection of assorted grill items that the other cafeterias don’t, such as hamburgers and my selection this day, the steak sandwich.
While I try to be positive, it was, frankly, the most underwhelming lunch I’ve had on the Hill yet. And I do like me a steak sandwich. They did do some things well. The steak was cooked to order from scratch, and they hit my requested medium grill nicely. The ciabatta roll was fresh and a fine complement. The fault, my readers, was in the toppings.
It was advertised with lettuce and tomato, which I took a pass on. I don’t believe lettuce and tomato belong on a steak sandwich. Or on a hamburger, but that’s another blog. They would only distract from, rather than complement, the steak. Maybe I’m too hung up on Philly sandwiches, but on a steak sandwich I want sautéed onions and mushrooms, and some real cheese or whiz. Those toppings would complement rather than compete with the steak.
Sadly, those weren’t available, although they did add some tasty basil mayo sort of sauce. They seemed concerned about the plainness of my steak sandwich so they did, at my request, add some cheese. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize until I got to my table that it was processed cheese.
I will say, the staff seem proud of their steak sandwich. The cashier told me it was her favourite and, a little later, two of the staff came separately by my table to ask how I was enjoying it. I was positive, but did mention that mushrooms and onions would make a big difference. I just hope all the interest was just coincidental, and that my secret identity as a food blogger hasn’t been exposed.
Restaurant: Valour Building Cafeteria
Dish: Steak Sandwich
Price: $8.11 (before tax)
So what I ended up with was a smallish but decently-quality piece of grilled steak on a roll with a basil mayo and a slice of processed cheese. I should not have added the cheese; it made it taste cheap and processed. The steak was good, but there wasn’t enough there there. And lettuce and tomato wouldn’t have done it. At $8.11, it’s on the upper end of the menu, and it’s not worth it. But sauté up some mushrooms and onions, and throw on some provolone, and then we’re talking.
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: A valourous steak sandwich
Last Wednesday was my birthday and, while I had plans for a few root beers that evening, I didn’t have time for a luxurious lunch. So I ducked into the swanky newish cafeteria in the Valour Building to try out one of its grill selections.Valour (the st…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Nando’s peri-peri chicken
I ventured off the Hill for lunch on Monday to satisfy my craving for Portuguese chicken — but, in fairness, downtown Ottawa’s newish Nando’s franchise is located in the James Michael Flaherty Building at Elgin and Albert, which houses the Ministry of…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: Nando’s peri-peri chicken
I ventured off the Hill for lunch on Monday to satisfy my craving for Portuguese chicken — but, in fairness, downtown Ottawa’s newish Nando’s franchise is located in the James Michael Flaherty Building at Elgin and Albert, which houses the Ministry of…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Centre Block Pho
I had other plans for lunch on Friday. Since I began working on the Hill I’ve either eaten out or just worked through lunch, but that can get pricey. So I made a ham & cheese sandwich. Then I happened to look over the food services menu on the Intr…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: Centre Block Pho
I had other plans for lunch on Friday. Since I began working on the Hill I’ve either eaten out or just worked through lunch, but that can get pricey. So I made a ham & cheese sandwich. Then I happened to look over the food services menu on the Intr…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Canada-USA and Beautiful British Columbia
Tonight was a light night on the Hill social circuit. With the long week starting to catch up with an old guy like me, I bypassed receptions by a health care lobby and a major union and made just two stops: the Canada-USA Parliamentary Association annu…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: Canada-USA and Beautiful British Columbia
Tonight was a light night on the Hill social circuit. With the long week starting to catch up with an old guy like me, I bypassed receptions by a health care lobby and a major union and made just two stops: the Canada-USA Parliamentary Association annu…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Ribs and salad
Lunch was a spur of the moment thing today when I escorted some guests up to the Confederation Building cafeteria. I had seen Ribs and Sweet Potato Fries as the special of the day, and hadn’t planned to partake but the fellow in line ahead of me convin…
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: Ribs and salad
Lunch was a spur of the moment thing today when I escorted some guests up to the Confederation Building cafeteria. I had seen Ribs and Sweet Potato Fries as the special of the day, and hadn’t planned to partake but the fellow in line ahead of me convin…
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Jewish wine and bacon-wrapped scallops
There can be a lot of receptions in Ottawa that different lobby groups and associations host to meet Parliamentarians. And often, many of them happen on the same night. Like Tuesday night.We had five on our agenda Tuesday, and we managed to make it to …
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Eating up the Hill: Jewish wine and bacon-wrapped scallops
There can be a lot of receptions in Ottawa that different lobby groups and associations host to meet Parliamentarians. And often, many of them happen on the same night. Like Tuesday night.We had five on our agenda tonight we managed to make it to four….
Continue readingA BCer in Ottawa: Eating up the Hill: Vegetarian pizza with bacon
I know I haven’t blogged in some time. I moved to Ottawa in November to work for a Member of Parliament, which a) takes up most of my time, and b) makes blogging on politics pretty difficult. Then, one day, it occurred to me: how about a political food…
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