It may be hard to get our party leaders to tear into the meat of an issue, but a few key restaurants across our home and native land (including an Ethiopian restaurant at Bloor and Christie) are giving us the dish on our political leaders. Below, our roundup of a few places around Canada that offer election-inspired dishes, making it easier than ever to finally chew out our politicians.
Abyssinia Cafe and Restaurant
While this Bloorcourt restaurant is known for its authentic Ethiopian delights like injera and kifto, these days the menu has taken on a political flavour. Owner Sirak Ayele tells us he decided to base meals around political leaders in an attempt to get new Canadians interested in our nation’s politics.
Ayele says the Stephen Harper meal – tender marinated beef sauteed with with chunks of red pepper, onion, garlic and tomatoes – is all about simple flavours. The Michael Ignatieff dish – a lean beef in spiced butter – comes with a medley of foods on one platter. The menu also lists a Jack Layton option that Ayele says typically appeals to younger crowds, and a peas, lentils and spiced chickpea dish in honour of Elizabeth May.
As a result of the new menu, he says his customers are becoming more particular about the food they order: “Some people come and order the Stephen Harper dish without realizing the name of the dish. When they discover it’s named after Stephen Harper they change their minds,” he says. “They might not like Stephen Harper as much.”
Abyssinia Cafe and Restaurant, 735 Bloor Street West, 647-344-2110, Toronto, Ontario
Burger Heaven
In British Columbia’s lower mainland region lies the historical town of New Westminster, wherein the infamous Burger Heaven resides. The burger joint, which opened in 1984, is now in its 24th year of holding the notorious Bun-Official Federal Election Burger Poll. To qualify for casting a vote in the burger poll, the first step is to buy a burger. Only at that point do you have the option of voting for the tastiest political option. The special election menu includes the Harper Burger, with classic Alberta beef; the Ignatieff burger, topped off with a slice of American cheese; the solar power-cooked May burger and the Gilles Duceppe burger, which comes with French dressing.
Burger Heaven, 77 10 Street, 604-522-8339, New Westminster, British Columbia
Parliament Pub
Only a stone’s throw away from the Peace Tower, Parliament Pub’s slogan is “where the real work of Parliament gets done.” So it’s no surprise that in addition to Paul Dewar‘s chicken club wrap and Justin Trudeau‘s pasta of the day, Parliament Pub offers options to suit the tastes of any constituent.
Stephen Harper’s pepperoni pizza, according to the website, is “focused, concise, hands on and does not appreciate opposition.” Iggy’s soup of the day includes “‘Liberal’ amounts of the freshest ingredients and changes daily.” As for anyone who orders Jack Layton’s quiche of the day, it automatically becomes “Chow time.”
Parliament Pub, 101 Sparks Street, 613-563-0636, Ottawa, Ontario
