Anne Debrisay and Citizen have "parted company" [General]
2012 Mar 1
I actually just finished reading her review of Sushi Umi in today's paper-- and it, like all her others, was really fun to read. I always admire when someone can write on one topic for so long (especially food? I swear all my reviews on this site share the same bank of 3 or 4 adjectives) without the descriptions or enthusiasm going stale. Have also bought her Capital Dining Guides as gifts.
Her column has been a long-standing weekly highlight. Interested to see who they bring in next, but will definitely be keeping up with her blog if it's updated as she says it will be.
Her column has been a long-standing weekly highlight. Interested to see who they bring in next, but will definitely be keeping up with her blog if it's updated as she says it will be.
2012 Mar 2
I just hope they have a replacement for her, and not the other Citizen food writer, who has many times said he is NOT a restaurant reviewer.
Nothing personal, but if the Citizen, to save money, uses someone who claims he is not a restaurant reviewer ........ well ... it may not be good at all.
Nothing personal, but if the Citizen, to save money, uses someone who claims he is not a restaurant reviewer ........ well ... it may not be good at all.
2012 Mar 2
Yes Anne DesBrisay wrote that legendary review of the Mill. I'm sure she'd rather be remembered for all the great, positive reviews she did but it's epic enough to deserve one more link:
www.jambands.ca
I always enjoyed reading her reviews and hope to continue reading them through the web site. The Citizen has big shoes to fill. Whenever you hear that they need a "new voice and perspective on Ottawa’s dining out scene" it's cause to be suspicious.
And I agree, informing her by Email after 20 years service is bad form.
www.jambands.ca
I always enjoyed reading her reviews and hope to continue reading them through the web site. The Citizen has big shoes to fill. Whenever you hear that they need a "new voice and perspective on Ottawa’s dining out scene" it's cause to be suspicious.
And I agree, informing her by Email after 20 years service is bad form.
2012 Mar 2
I was saddened to learn this news as I've long been a fan - it didn't take her long to prove her abilities as a restaurant reviewer after she took over the job. I think her early review of Le Metro Bistro on Elgin St. was one that really endeared her to me, and many more since then that read as if I had written them (if only I could have written as well as she).
I regret that one of my bucket list activities of dining out with her on several visits to a restaurant to form a valid (written) opinion of it's strengths and weaknesses won't happen.
I regret that one of my bucket list activities of dining out with her on several visits to a restaurant to form a valid (written) opinion of it's strengths and weaknesses won't happen.
2012 Mar 8
"Today and in the coming weeks you will find restaurant reviews by our food experts here at the Ottawa Citizen: Peter Hum, Laura Robin, Peter Simpson, Bruce Deachman..."
All of whom, I'm sure, have the culinary training and the line experience that Anne DesBrisay had. And for sure all 4 of the aforementioned "food experts" will be able to provide the same, consistent benchmark for reviews as did one single critic.
As upsetting as I find this news, I can't say it comes as any surprise from the morons running the Ottawa Citizen now, and particularly in a section that has precious little to do with the local food scene, having degenerated into a wasteland of useless reprints from newswire outlets such as the McLatchy-Tribune or the Detroit Free Press.
Thankfully I'll be able to continue following Ms. DesBrisay's commentary online at www.capitaldining.ca, and I now have one less reason to read the Citizen.
All of whom, I'm sure, have the culinary training and the line experience that Anne DesBrisay had. And for sure all 4 of the aforementioned "food experts" will be able to provide the same, consistent benchmark for reviews as did one single critic.
As upsetting as I find this news, I can't say it comes as any surprise from the morons running the Ottawa Citizen now, and particularly in a section that has precious little to do with the local food scene, having degenerated into a wasteland of useless reprints from newswire outlets such as the McLatchy-Tribune or the Detroit Free Press.
Thankfully I'll be able to continue following Ms. DesBrisay's commentary online at www.capitaldining.ca, and I now have one less reason to read the Citizen.
2012 Mar 8
I am really upset at the "dumbing down" of the Food Section in the Ottawa Citizen. Ever since they moved it from Wednesday to Thursday they have been cutting, cutting, cutting. Incrementally sometimes, but cutting nonetheless. This is a copy of a note I sent to:
Cneustaedter@ottawacitizen.com who so cheerfully informed us that other folks would be doing the reviews.
"Did she unceremoniously get the boot a la Gay Cook? I used to look forward to the Food Section. Not so much anymore. It looks like a section written by committee, with not much of interest. What I do like and look forward to are the food sections of the Seattle Times and The Mercury Sun news. They have stuff you can actually sink your teeth in to.
I respected Anne's opinions. I may not have always agreed with her, but she had the culinary educational background to know what she was talking about. Now we get the "reviews" by foodies, hardly the same thing, much as I like some of them.
Oh well, just one more section in a newspaper that will no longer take up much of my time."
I sent this before I saw the comments on this site. I hope others will write to this fellow (whoever he is) and make their views known. And don't pick on Ron Eade. He works hard and deserves respect for what he does. Besides, It's doubtful this has anything to do with him.
Cneustaedter@ottawacitizen.com who so cheerfully informed us that other folks would be doing the reviews.
"Did she unceremoniously get the boot a la Gay Cook? I used to look forward to the Food Section. Not so much anymore. It looks like a section written by committee, with not much of interest. What I do like and look forward to are the food sections of the Seattle Times and The Mercury Sun news. They have stuff you can actually sink your teeth in to.
I respected Anne's opinions. I may not have always agreed with her, but she had the culinary educational background to know what she was talking about. Now we get the "reviews" by foodies, hardly the same thing, much as I like some of them.
Oh well, just one more section in a newspaper that will no longer take up much of my time."
I sent this before I saw the comments on this site. I hope others will write to this fellow (whoever he is) and make their views known. And don't pick on Ron Eade. He works hard and deserves respect for what he does. Besides, It's doubtful this has anything to do with him.
2012 Mar 8
Thank you, felinefan,
I've been the longest-running Food editor at the Citizen -- ever. Now, 14 years. I can blissfully say I was completely out of the loop about any decisions regarding our former (and respected) dining critic, Anne DesBrisay.
I think most highly of her, I completely underscore and applaud her competence in assessing restaurants. I personally wish her well. She was, and remains, a good friend.
That said, in terms of Food section content, we are working with limitations largely out of our hands.
If I may share: The digital world has changed everything in last two or three years. My job, for example, which used to be print only, now includes print, blog, photos, video, audio where possible, Twitter, Facebook, and of course a la minute. Everything is in flex. It is not an easy transition, but necessary.
I do not dismiss nor denigrate the reality; we (and I) are adapting. Sometimes it is painful, I admit. I am an old fart, but trying to get with the new program. We do not have all the answers.
Actually, I think I'm doing not awful (ultimately, you will judge), but it is not without stress and (very) long and many (unpaid) hours.
I know there are some bun-throwers on this forum, but please give me latitude. My heart is with the Ottawa food community. You may not agree, you may think I am wasting my personal time, but at least be patient. Or, in the default mode, be civil.
Ron Eade
I've been the longest-running Food editor at the Citizen -- ever. Now, 14 years. I can blissfully say I was completely out of the loop about any decisions regarding our former (and respected) dining critic, Anne DesBrisay.
I think most highly of her, I completely underscore and applaud her competence in assessing restaurants. I personally wish her well. She was, and remains, a good friend.
That said, in terms of Food section content, we are working with limitations largely out of our hands.
If I may share: The digital world has changed everything in last two or three years. My job, for example, which used to be print only, now includes print, blog, photos, video, audio where possible, Twitter, Facebook, and of course a la minute. Everything is in flex. It is not an easy transition, but necessary.
I do not dismiss nor denigrate the reality; we (and I) are adapting. Sometimes it is painful, I admit. I am an old fart, but trying to get with the new program. We do not have all the answers.
Actually, I think I'm doing not awful (ultimately, you will judge), but it is not without stress and (very) long and many (unpaid) hours.
I know there are some bun-throwers on this forum, but please give me latitude. My heart is with the Ottawa food community. You may not agree, you may think I am wasting my personal time, but at least be patient. Or, in the default mode, be civil.
Ron Eade
2012 Mar 8
I too will miss Anne's reviews and opinions, but things could be worse. Here's an article from the Village Voice about a newspaper review of the Olive Garden that went viral. blogs.villagevoice.com
2012 Mar 9
Not to pile-on, but I have zero interest in reading the reviews from the Citizen's stable of arts writers. I couldn't even bring myself to get through the first couple paragraphs of Bruce Deachman's yesterday. I (often) respect their work as writers within their specialty, but really, could you imagine the Citizen having asked Anne Desbrisay to cover the next fusion jazz show? It seems that the paper doesn't take food as seriously as people around here do, which is a real shame considering how great it can be.
Being very familiar with the new roster of food critics' work, and not a consistently huge fan of any of it (save Peter Hum's), I'm turned off before I even see what's coming. Anne's column really was a highlight every week, and her reviews, discoveries and introductions really got me into learning about and trying out all parts of Ottawa's food scene.
That said, she just posted her review of Town: www.capitaldining.ca
At least Lynn Saxberg isn't participating, or suddenly every restaurant would be called "rockin'" in its review headline...
Being very familiar with the new roster of food critics' work, and not a consistently huge fan of any of it (save Peter Hum's), I'm turned off before I even see what's coming. Anne's column really was a highlight every week, and her reviews, discoveries and introductions really got me into learning about and trying out all parts of Ottawa's food scene.
That said, she just posted her review of Town: www.capitaldining.ca
At least Lynn Saxberg isn't participating, or suddenly every restaurant would be called "rockin'" in its review headline...
2012 Mar 12
Thank you, Ron Eade, for your March 8 comments - very informative! I can well appreciate that life at the Ottawa Citizen has changed a great deal. I read your blog regularly - all your information is VERY useful for all of us trying to eat and cook well with limited funds.
Sometimes, above your "food deals of the week" column, you give thumbnail recipes, like pot roast or other ways of using less expensive cuts - this is great - keep it up!
I have to admit that the really "chi-chi" restaurant events with strange foods and even stranger preparation makes me smile a bit, though :)
You get a "thumbs up" from me!
Sometimes, above your "food deals of the week" column, you give thumbnail recipes, like pot roast or other ways of using less expensive cuts - this is great - keep it up!
I have to admit that the really "chi-chi" restaurant events with strange foods and even stranger preparation makes me smile a bit, though :)
You get a "thumbs up" from me!
2012 Mar 13
All of the writers for the Food column do what they do quite well! I don't think anyone really disputes that. With the challenges that print media are faced with, they must adapt or fall by the wayside. The fact that Anne maintains a blog and has expressed her commitment to sharing her observations on the local food scene by means of this medium speaks volumes. Turn your attention towards the efforts of bloggers and sites like this, Urbanspoon and restaurantthing. Support the small guys, too!
2012 Mar 13
Thank you, Patricia,
I hear, in this forum, often from folk with bullhorns, so it's nice to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
I'm not trying to portray myself as some sort of dinosaur or hapless victim, but instead as a seasoned journalist with investigative-reporting roots at city hall and Parliament Hill who, I think, brought a new reporting dimension to food coverage when I took it on in 1998. Until that time, we wrote about broccoli in broccoli season, tomatoes in tomato season, pork chops, well, whenever. Sometimes (albeit, not often) with cream-of-whatever soup.
It was my change that carried Citizen food coverage into our city's kitchens and explored the exciting world of cheffing and producers/artisans in Ottawa. My record is very clear on that, and I think the newspaper's coverage of food has changed. And, remember, that was long before food blogs and social media.
Among my early stories, as I recall, was to ask chef Russ Weir, then at the Sheraton Ottawa, to cook potatoes, beans and broccoli -- as dessert! Surprise, chef! It was a fun introduction to a different way of looking at food, and the personalities and dynamics behind what we eat in the nation's capital. We have never, not ever, looked back.
I know I am a big and handy target, especially from those who can pontificate while remaining anonymous. But we continue nonetheless, and I think the food scene in this magnificent city has evolved in even five years, and certainly the last 10, to the extent there is no going back. Chefs here have never been more exciting.
A good thing, I say. Everyone is the better for it.
As always, Ottawa, thank you for your time.
I hear, in this forum, often from folk with bullhorns, so it's nice to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
I'm not trying to portray myself as some sort of dinosaur or hapless victim, but instead as a seasoned journalist with investigative-reporting roots at city hall and Parliament Hill who, I think, brought a new reporting dimension to food coverage when I took it on in 1998. Until that time, we wrote about broccoli in broccoli season, tomatoes in tomato season, pork chops, well, whenever. Sometimes (albeit, not often) with cream-of-whatever soup.
It was my change that carried Citizen food coverage into our city's kitchens and explored the exciting world of cheffing and producers/artisans in Ottawa. My record is very clear on that, and I think the newspaper's coverage of food has changed. And, remember, that was long before food blogs and social media.
Among my early stories, as I recall, was to ask chef Russ Weir, then at the Sheraton Ottawa, to cook potatoes, beans and broccoli -- as dessert! Surprise, chef! It was a fun introduction to a different way of looking at food, and the personalities and dynamics behind what we eat in the nation's capital. We have never, not ever, looked back.
I know I am a big and handy target, especially from those who can pontificate while remaining anonymous. But we continue nonetheless, and I think the food scene in this magnificent city has evolved in even five years, and certainly the last 10, to the extent there is no going back. Chefs here have never been more exciting.
A good thing, I say. Everyone is the better for it.
As always, Ottawa, thank you for your time.
cardamom