Sun
Source: Statistics Canada VANCOUVER SUN
Vancouver‘s New Housing Price Index rose just 0.3% in December 2005 from the previous month, half the rate of the national average, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. In Victoria it even retreated, dropping by 0.8%. Calgary, meanwhile, felt the full force of rising materials and labour costs.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
Elaine O’Connor
Sun
“Some of these sites are getting tremendous readership,” says Brian Lamb of UBC’s Office of Learning Technology. Photograph by : Jon Murray, The Province
Thinking of ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions alive? Publishing your progress online to be scrutinized by strangers can prove more than motivating.
Online weblog diaries, or blogs, have been hailed “the home pages of the 21st century” by tech pundits, who point to their spectacular growth as proof of public demand for interactive computing. Internet users of all ages and interests are discovering the power of blogging for personal project management.
Trying to lose weight? The Skinny Daily Post (www.skinnydaily.com) can offer support.
Quitting smoking? Take inspiration from 42-year-old American working mom Tammy (http://tammysquitsmokingblog.
blogspot.com). Just want to shake up your life? The catch-all resolution blog 43 Things and sister site 43 Places have thousands of users checking off goals or trips and inspiring others to do the same (www.43things.com and www.43places.com).
Blogging is no longer just for techies or teenagers, says veteran blogger and “social software” expert Brian Lamb of UBC’s Office of Learning Technology.
Lamb’s been blogging for five years — he runs his current blog Abject Learning (at http://weblogs.elearning.ubc.ca/brian/) — and helps organize Northern Voice, a national blogging conference held in Vancouver Feb. 10 and 11 (www.northernvoice.ca).
In the last year or so, Lamb and other early adopters have noticed blogging explode among the masses: hobbyists launching craft, travel, food, parenting and new job blogs.
“People start a new process and they think, ‘I need to capture this,'” says the emerging technologies co-ordinator. “They do the project, they talk about the process and put up a photo or two about what came out of it. Some of these sites are getting tremendous readership.”
Everywhere you surf, the blogosphere is booming.
Blog-tracker newspaper The Blog Herald’s February 2006 Blog Count estimates there may be more than 185 million blogs online, based on the latest international hosting stats.
A January 2005 Pew/American Life Project survey found 27 per cent of U.S. residents online have read a blog: and blog readership grew almost 60 per cent, by 32 million new viewers in 2004 from the year before.
Veteran blog trackers Technorati claim about 70,000 new blogs are created every day, according to their 2004 State of the Blogosphere report. The search engine site monitors 27 million blogs worldwide, with 700,000 posts daily and 29,100 updates an hour.
In Canada, Blogs Canada lists more than 10,000 True North blogs, with an average of 150 new ones added every week. The LiveJournal blog service reports 300,000 Canadian users among the nine million bloggers it serves around the globe.
The growth in blogging among the general public is due in part to software that is increasingly easy to use.
“If someone can sign up for a Yahoo! or a Hotmail e-mail account and successfully send an e-mail, I don’t see any reason they couldn’t go to Blogger.com and go through the same process,” Lamb says.
And as blogging grows, the e-learning expert predicts, “We’re probably not too far away [from the time] where having some kind of blogging presence is just like having e-mail.”
BLOG THIS!
Many blog software sites offer free blogging tools (paid accounts get fancier features). To get started check out:
LiveJournal: www.livejournal.com
Blogger: www.blogger.com
Xanga: www.xanga.com
MSN Spaces: http://spaces.msn.com
AOL Journals: http://hometown.aol.com
WordPress: http://wordpress.com
Moveable Type: www.sixapart.com/moveabletype
Flickr: Basic photo-blogging at www.flickr.com
A directory of wonderful blogs
Blogs Canada: www.blogscanada.com
Technorati: www.technorati.com
Google Blogs Search: www.google.ca/blogsearch
THE LATEST BLOGSPEAK: A DICTIONARY
Vlogging: video-blogging; blogs updated with video feed
Moblogs: mobile-blogs; blogs updated with camera phone pictures and text
Audioblogging/ Podcasting: creating music or speech-based online broadcasts
Blogosphere: the community of blogs
Blogroll: a sidebar of blog links on a site
Blawg: a law or legal issues blog
Bleg: used to ask for information or money
Blogathy: what a blogger who is apathetic about posting feels
Blogeratti: the blogosphere intelligentsia
Blogopotamus: a huge blog entry
Blurker: someone who reads blogs but never leaves any comments
Hitnosis: being unable to stop checking the number of visitors on your hit counter
Splog: fake spam-blog with links to sites affiliated with the blogger, intended to boost hits
Podcatching: checking for new programs on a podcasting feed
Vodcasting: podcasting video content
Wiki: an interactive blog anyone can post to
© The Vancouver Province 2006
Mia Stainsby
Sun
Prices are per couple for three courses, with a glass of wine each, before tip and taxes.
$ means $50 or less
$$ means $50 to $100
$$$ means more than $100
– – –
WEST COAST
Aurora Bistro The first fine dining room on Main St. Inventive food, hip spot. 2420 Main St., 604-873-9944. $$
Bishop’s Consistently one of the city’s best. Almost 100 per cent organic foods. 2183 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-2025. $$$
Bin 941 Tapas bar in tiny eclectic space. 941 Davie St., 604-683-1246. $$/$$$
Bin 942 Creative, delectable tapas dishes. 1521 West Broadway, 604-734-9421. $$/$$$
Bridges For fine dining, head upstairs, and for casual, try the downstairs bistro. 1696 Duranleau, 604-687-4400. $$/$$$
Brix Large tapas selection, 60 wines by the glass. 1138 Homer St., 604-915-9463. $$/$$$
Chartwell Beautiful food, wonderful service. Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia St. 604-689-9333. $$$
Cru Blurs the lines of fine dining, lounge and bistro. Lovely “small plates” or a four-course prix fixe. 1459 West Broadway, 604-677-4111. $$
Diva at the Met High-end food, gorgeously presented. Metropolitan Hotel, 645 Howe St., 604-602-7788. $$$
Feenie’s Comfort food with a modern tweak and quality ingredients. 2563 West Broadway, 604-739-7115. $/$$
Fiction Young crowd, great tapas dishes. 3162 West Broadway, 604-736-7576. $$
Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar Hip, happening destination. Creative chef. 1079 Mainland St., 604-602-0835. $$
Lift Bar and Grill Gorgeously perched over Coal Harbour. Sibling to Monk McQueen’s. 333 Menchions Mews, 604-689-5438. $$$
Lucy Mae Brown Intimate space, assertive dishes. 862 Richards St., 604-899-9199. $$
Nu A sophisticated version of casual dining. Beautiful flavours, great atmosphere. 1661 Granville St., 604-646-4668. $$
Parkside Handsome room in residential West End, richly flavoured food. Great spot. 1906 Haro, 604-683-6912. $$/$$$
Raincity Grill A Vancouver moment by English Bay. Regional food. 1193 Denman St., 604-685-7337. $$$
Show Case West Coast menu that doesn’t shy from adventure. Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel, 1128 West Hastings St., 604-639-4040. $$$
Watermark Stunning Kits Beach view, sexy architecture, casual food. 1305 Arbutus St., 604-738-5487. $$
West Vies for best restaurant in the city. 2881 Granville St., 604-738-8938. $$$
ITALIAN
Adesso Neighbourhood Italian spot with light, elegant food. 2201 West First Ave., 604-738-6515. $$
Amarcord Food from the Bologna and Emilia Romagna area of Italy, elegantly presented. Clear, natural flavours. 1168 Hamilton St., 604-681-6500. $$
Borgo Antico Tuscan looks. Fine Italian food. 321 Water St., 604-683-8376. $$/$$$
Cin Cin Restaurant and Bar A well-coiffed crowd. Entrees, pasta and pizzas. Nice summer patio. 1154 Robson St., 604-688-7338. $$/$$$
Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill Fine Italian cuisine with a light touch. 1133 Hamilton St., 604-688-7466. $$$
Don Francesco Ristorante Romantic, classic Italian restaurant with heart. 860 Burrard St., 604-685-7770. $$$
Il Giardino “New Italian” food, light with exotic elements. Big on game. 1382 Hornby St., 604-669-2422. $$$.
Incendio Great wood-oven pizzas, robust lineup of pastas. 103 Columbia St., 604-688-8694. $/$$
Incendio West Same as above, but in modern digs. 2118 Burrard St., 604-736-2220. $/$$
La Terrazza Knock-out looks, intelligent and friendly staff, traditional Italian food. 1088 Cambie St., 604-899-4449. $$$
Lombardo’s Pizzeria and Restaurant Serving pizza lovers for years. 1641 Commercial Dr., 604-251-2240. $
Quattro on Fourth An Italian restaurant with flair. 2611 West Fourth Ave., 604-734-4444. $$/$$$
CHINESE
Hon’s Wun-Tun House Slurp noodles and chomp on delicious potstickers. Huge menu. 1339 Robson St., 604-685-0871. $
Imperial Seafood Fine Cantonese food, (expensive) in the lovely Marine Building. 355 Burrard St., 604-688-8191. $$$
Kirin Seafood Exquisite Cantonese food. City Square, 555 West 12th Ave., 604-879-8038. $$$
Pink Pearl It’s been around forever and is still a going concern. 1132 East Hastings St., 604-253-4316. $
Sun Sui Wah Cantonese cuisine with light, finely tuned flavours. 3888 Main St., 604-872-8822. $$
Szechuan Chongqing An institution for those who love the incendiary fare. 2808 Commercial Dr., 604-254-7434. $$
Wild Rice Modern Chinese food in a sophisticated, hip setting. 117 West Pender St., 604-642-2882. $$
JAPANESE
Ajisai Sushi Bar Small neighbourhood spot with sushi that sings. 2081West42nd Ave., 604-266-1428. $
Bistro Sakana Exciting Japanese food with French and Italian curve balls. 1123 Mainland St., 604-633-1280. $$
Black Tuna Tapas style Japanese dishes, sushi, lovingly cooked. 202 — 1184 Denman St., 604-408-7557. $$
Chopstick Cafe/Shiru-Bay Great atmosphere, intriguing izakaya food, budget prices. 1193 Hamilton St., 604-408-9315. $$
En Japanese Restaurant Bucks the usual conformity of Japanese restaurants. Splendid food. 2686 Granville St., 604-730-0330. $$
Gyoza King Gyozas reign supreme. Open late. 1508 Robson St., 604-669-8278. $
Hapa Izakaya Young and stylish; great izakaya-style Japanese food. 1479 Robson St., 604-689-4272. $/$$
Japone Wonderfully inventive dishes on the ‘chef’s specials’ menu. 8269 Oak St., 604-263-6708. $$
Sushi Wabi Sabi Exciting contemporary Japanese food. 4422 West 10th Ave., 604-222-8188. $$
Tojo’s Restaurant The topper in this category. Japanese food at its best. 202 — 777 West Broadway, 604-872-8050. $$$
Toshi Sushi Tiny place always packed for the fresh, tasty sushi. 181 East 16th Ave., 604-847-5173. $/$$
Umami A hybrid of Japanese and Mediterranean, the food is ambitious and creative. Good value wines. 572 Davie St., 604-696-9563. $$
Yuji’s Expect the unexpected. Food takes some creative turns. 2059 West Fourth Ave., 604-734-4990. $$
Zest Japanese Cuisine Grazing style modern Japanese menu in cool modern room. 2775 West 16th Ave., 604-731-9378. $$
FRENCH/BELGIAN
Bacchus Restaurant Some classics, some nouveau. Expect the best. Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Hornby St., 604-689-7777. $$$
Cafe de Paris Traditional French bistro. Lots of character. 751 Denman St., 604-687-1418. $$
Cassis Bistro Low budget but mod interior. Delicious traditional French bistro fare. Good value. 420 West Pender St., 604-605-0420. $$
Chambar Modern Belgian food. Hot hipster scene. Chef has cooked in a three-star Michelin restaurant. 562 Beatty St., 604-879-7119. $$
Elixir French brasserie in Yaletown; bistro food, haute quality. 322 Davie St., 604-642-0557. $$/$$$
Le Crocodile Refined French with incredible wines to boot. 909 Burrard St., 604-669-4298. $$$
Le Gavroche French food in a charming old house. 1616 Alberni St., 604-685-3924. $$$
The Hermitage Beautifully controlled classic French cooking. Quiet atmosphere. 1025 Robson St., 604-689-3237. $$$
Lumiere Chef Rob Feenie redefines restaurants in Vancouver. Tasting menus. 2551 West Broadway, 604-739-8185. $$$
Mistral Authentic Provencal food cooked by former Michelin chef. 2585 West Broadway, 604-733-0046. $$
Pastis French bistro with a lightness of being. 2153 West Fourth Ave., 604-731-5020. $$/$$$
Salade de Fruits Very good value French country bistro. 1551 West Seventh, 604-714-5987. $$
The William Tell A Swiss-French restaurant. Service excels. Georgian Court Hotel, 773 Beatty St., 604-688-3504. $$$
GREEK
Apollonia Well-prepared Greek food and very good pizzas. 1830 Fir St., 604-736-9559. $/$$
Bouzyos Greek Taverna Lively atmosphere, better than average Greek food. 1815 Commercial Dr., 604-254-2533. $$
Kalamata Greek Taverna A popular souvlaki stop dressed in the familiar white and blue. 478 West Broadway, 604-872-7050. $$
The Main Friendly, funky spot. Wonderful roast lamb. 4210 Main St., 604-709-8555. $$
Maria’s Taverna Friendly service. 2324 West Fourth Ave., 604-731-4722. $$
Simpatico Thirty-plus years old; traditional Greek restaurant with the addition of good pizzas. 2222 West Fourth Ave., 604733-6824. $/$$
Stepho’s Nightly lineups because of low prices. 1124 Davie St., 604-683-2555. $
INDIAN
Akbar’s Own Mogul-style Indian cuisine. 1905 West Broadway, 604-736-8180. $$
Chutney Villa South Indian cuisine, with dosas, idli and vadas. 147 East Broadway, 604-872-2228. $/$$
Clove An alternative Indian restaurant, funky, cheap beyond belief. 2054 Commercial Dr., 604-255-5550. $
Clove Upscale sibling to Clove on Commercial. Modern Indian cuisine. 735 Denman St., 604-669-2421. $/$$
Indica Indian dishes with western tweaks. Charming. 1795 Pendrell St., 604-609-3530. $
Maurya Fine Indian food in glam surroundings. 1643 West Broadway, 604-742-0622. $$$
Rangoli Vij’s casual and take-out next-door sidekick. Impressive. 1488 West 11th Ave., 604-736-5711. $
Samosa Garden Smooth sauces, lovely food, good service. 3502 Kingsway, 604-437-3502. $$
Tamarind A hip spin-off from the traditional Rubina Tandoori restaurant with modern elements. 1626 West Broadway, 604-733-5335. $$
Vij’s Dishes are a symphony of wondrous flavours. 1480 West 11th Ave., 604-736-6664. $$
Yogi’s Hip, contemporary Indian food, perfect for The Drive. 1408 Commercial Dr., 604-251-9644. $
SOUTHEAST ASIAN
Banana Leaf Homestyle Malaysian food. 820 West Broadway, 604-731-6333 and 1096 Denman St., 604-683-3333. $$
Chi Modern take on Malaysian and Thai cuisines. 1796 Nanaimo St., 604-215-0078. $$
Kedah House Halal Restaurant Malaysian food with a light, nimble touch. 5750 Fraser St., 604-325-9771. $
Monsoon An “East-West” brasserie with tropical Asian dishes, loads of atmosphere. 2526 Main St., 604-879-4001. $$
Montri Thai Restaurant Some of the best Thai food in the city. 3629 West Broadway, 604-738-9888. $$
Phnom Penh Largely Cambodian but includes Chinese and Vietnamese flavours. 244 East Georgia St., 682-5777. $
Pondok Authentic Indonesian dishes, freshly cooked. 2781 Commercial Dr., 604-872-8718. $$
Salathai Thai Dishes are freshly prepared and consistent. 3364 Cambie St., 604-875-6999. $$
Sawasdee Thai Gracious service keeps the regulars hooked. 4250 Main St., 604-876-4030. $$
Simply Thai On the A-list for Thai food. 1211 Hamilton St., 604-642-0123. $$
SEAFOOD
Bluewater Cafe and Raw Bar Handsome spot. Impressive seafood, impressive wine list. 1095 Hamilton St., 604-688-8078. $$$
C Chef Robert Clark takes seafood to a new level. 1600 Howe St., 604-681-1164. $$$
Cannery Seafood Fine dining in rustic nautical decor on working waterfront. 2205 Commissioner St., 604-254-9606 $$$
Coast Restaurant Yaletown chic, shares kinship with Glowbal Grill and Satay. Seafood emphasis. 1157 Hamilton St., 604-685-5010. $$$
Fish Cafe Unpretentious, straight-ahead seafood at bargain prices. 2053 West 41st Ave., 604-267-3474. $
Fish House in Stanley Park Bold and imaginative seafood dishes by the creative Karen Barnaby. 8901 Stanley Park Dr., 604-681-7275. $$$
Go Fish Fab fish and chips and much more, dished out of a catering truck, made with fish from the adjacent Fisherman’s Wharf. 1505 West First Ave., 604-730-5040. $
Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House Fresh shucked oysters, cedar plank salmon, grilled chops. High energy. 777 Thurlow St., 604-669-1940. $$$
Rodney’s Oyster House Specializes in very fresh shellfish and oysters. 1228 Hamilton St., 604-609-0080. $$
AMERICAN
Memphis Blues Barbecue House Slow-cooked, southern style BBQ. Delish. 1465 West Broadway, 604-738-6806; 1342 Commercial Dr., 604-215-2599. $
VEGETARIAN
Bo Kong Buddhist-based menu using very fresh ingredients. Mild flavours. 3068 Main St., 604-876-3088. $
Greens and Gourmet Meals priced by weight. Flavours from around the world. 2582 West Broadway, 604-737-7373. $
Habibi’s Lebanese food. Not the same old, same old. 1128 West Broadway, 604-732-7487. $
The Naam Wide variety of vegetarian fare. Quiet patio in summer. 2724 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-7151. $
Om Vegetarian Flavourful, fresh Buddhist-based vegetarian food. 3466 Cambie St., 604-873-6878. $
Raw Raw veggie and fruit dishes (preserves enzymes) as well as cooked. Food is 80 to 90 per cent organic. 1849 West First Ave., 604-737-0420. $
LATIN AMERICA
Banano’s No-frills Venezuelan/Colombian cafe. Delicious arepas. 1223 Pacific Boulevard, 604-408-4228. $
Baru Casually chic South American food for discerning diners. 2535 Alma St., 604-222-9171. $$
Havana Cuban food, tweaked for Commercial Drive. 1212 Commercial Dr., 604-253-9119. $
Latin Quarter Mexican and Mediterranean tapas dishes as well as music in the evenings. 1305 Commercial Dr., 604-251-1144. $$
Lolita’s South of the Border Cantina Casual Mexican food with sparkle. Lots of buzz in the room. 1326 Davie St., 604-696-9996. $$
Mexico Sabroso A slice of Mexico. Very inexpensive, authentic Mexican cafe. 440 West Hastings St., 604-688-7426. $
Mouse and Bean Fresh, homey Mexican food, in a funky space. 207 West Hastings, 604-633-1781. $
Rinconcito Salvadorean Restaurant Fresh Salvadorean cuisine. Lovely pupusas. 2062 Commercial Dr., 604-879-2600. $
Tio Pepe’s Yucatan food, nicely prepared. 1134 Commercial Dr., 604-254-8999. $
MEDITERRANEAN
Circolo Italian, French, and a little bit of New York. Awesome wine list. 1116 Mainland, 604-687-1116. $$$
Provence Mediterranean Grill The menu is a marriage of French and Italian. Lovely flavours. 4473 West 10th Ave., 604-222-1980 and 1177 Marinaside Cres., 604-681-4144. $$
EASTERN EUROPEAN, CENTRAL ASIAN
Accent Eastern European, French, Russian accents on a continental theme. 1967 West Broadway, 604-734-6660. $$
The Budapest Big doses of Hungarian comfort. Smouldering goulash soup. 3250 Main St. 604-877-1949. $
Rasputin Large selection of vodkas, wonderful live music and dishes such as grilled Georgian cornish game hen. 457 West Broadway, 604-879-6675.$$
NORTH SHORE
Beach House at Dundarave Pier Spectacular setting for brunch by Dundarave Beach. West Coast cuisine. 150 25th St., West Van, 604-922-1414. $$$
Beach Side Cafe Elegant room, summer patio, fine Italian cuisine. 1362 Marine Dr., West Van, 604-925-1945. $$$
Bravo Cucina Traditional Italian, cooked with care. 1209 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-985-3006. $$
Brown’s Restaurant and Bar Casually chic and bustling bistro with burgers, rice bowls, entrees. 1764 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-929-5401. $/$$
Dundarave Fish Market Charming spot; fabulous seafood from the adjoining fish market. 2419 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, 604-922-1155. $
Gusto Di Quattro Cosy, warm. Italian food. 1 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-924-4444 . $$/$$$
La Regalade A truly, deeply French bistro. Wonderful atmosphere. 2232 Marine Dr., West Van, 604-921-2228. $$/$$$
Mythos Whitewashed walls, azure blue trim say “sun-drenched Greece.” 1811 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-984-7411. $$
Nobu Tiny, with just enough room to make the lovely sushi. 3197 Edgemont Blvd.,North Van., 604-988-4553. $
Palki An Indian restaurant with a good grip on the spices. Fresh ingredients. 116 East 15th St., North Van, 604-986-7555. $$
Saltaire Gorgeous roof patio. Good value West Coast food. 2nd floor – 235 15th St., West Van, 604-913-8439. $$
Zen Japanese Restaurant Creative kitchen, quality ingredients. Good sake list. 2232 Marine Dr., West Van, 604-925-0667. $$/$$$
BURNABY/NEW WEST
Anton’s Gargantuan portions of pasta. No reservations. 4260 Hastings St., Burnaby, 604-299-6636. $$
Boat House Conservative seafood menu. Restaurant overlooks Fraser River. 900 Quayside, New Westminster, 604-525-3474. $$
Bombay Bhel Lovely Indian food. Menu features Mumbai-style snacks. 4266 Hastings St., 604-299-2500. $/$$
The Hart House In Tudor mansion. Exacting West Coast fare. 6664 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby, 604-298-4278. $$$
Orange Room Casual tapas. International flavours. 620 Sixth Ave., New Westminster, 604-520-6464. $$
Pear Tree Small menu, sublime continental food. 4120 Hastings St., Burnaby, 604-299-2772. $$$
Stefanos Restaurant Live music and dancing, Friday and Saturday nights. Mediterranean food with Greek dishes. 315 Columbia St., New Westminster, 604-520-9911. $$
Taverna Greka Greek cuisine. View of Fraser River. 326 Columbia, New Westminster, 604-526-6651. $$
Vassili Souvlaki Greek Taverna Traditional Greek foods with no reticence when it comes to portions. 6558 Kingsway, Burnaby, 604-434-0626. $$
COQUITLAM, POCO, PORT MOODY
Joey Tomato’s Mediterranean Grill Casual family retaurant. 550 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam, 604-939-3077
John B Pub Above-average pub food. 1000 Austin Ave., Coquitlam, 604-931-5115. $$
Kirin Seafood Restaurant Chinese food for the discriminating palate. 2nd floor, Henderson Place, 1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, 604-944-8833. $$/$$$
Pasta Polo Organic wheat pastas, pizzas. Family restaurant. 2754 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam, 604-464-7656. $/$$
RICHMOND
Also Lounge and Restaurant A blend of Italian/French with Asian accents and high-end presentation. 4200 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-303-9906. $$
Big River Brewing Co. Pub, serving casual food. 14200 Entertainment Blvd., Richmond, 604-271-2739. $/$$
Bo Kong Restaurant Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. No alcohol. 8100 Ackroyd Rd., Richmond, 604-278-1992. $
The Flying Beaver Bar Funky bar overlooking the Fraser River. 4760 Inglis Dr., Richmond, 604-273-0278. $/$$
Globe at YVR Impressive food, sleek contemporary decor with view of U.S. arrivals terminal. Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver Airport, Richmond, 604-248-3281. $$$
Hon’s Wun-Tun House Noodles and delicious pot stickers, panfried or steamed. 4600 No. 3 Road, Richmond, 604-273-0871. $
Quilon Restaurant Southern Indian cuisine with notably delicious dosas. 6030 No. 3 Road, Richmond, 604-303-0011. $$
The Rainbow Vegetarian Restaurant Deliciously prepared vegan and vegetarian Buddhist Chinese food. 8095 Park Road, Richmond, 604-273-7311. $
Shanghai River Shanghai style cuisine. Dumplings and noodles made in open kitchen. 7831 Westminster Highway, 604-233-8885. $$
Shiang Garden Part of a successful Taiwanese restaurant chain. Impressive seafood. 2200 — 4540 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-273-8858. $$
Sun Sui Wah Impressive way with seafood. 4940 No. 3 Rd., Richmond, 604-273-8208. $$
Zen Fine Chinese Cuisine Multi-coursed tasting menus and personalized dinners. Excellent. 2015 — 8580 Alexandra Rd., Richmond, 604-233-0077. $$$
SURREY, WHITE ROCK, DELTA, TSAWWASSEN
Big Ridge Brewing Co. A Mark James restaurant and brew-pub. Families welcome. 15133 Hwy. 10, Surrey, 604-574-2739. $$
Crescent Beach Bistro Rustic country spot. Straight ahead food. 12251 Beecher St., 604-531-1882. $$
Giraffe Charming place, eclectic West Coast menu. 15053 Marine Dr., White Rock, 604-538-6878. $$/$$$
Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club West Coast cuisine. Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club, 18150 — Eighth Ave., Surrey, 604-538-1212 $$/$$
La Belle Auberge In a heritage house in Ladner. Sublime French food. 4856 48th Ave., Ladner, 604-946-7717. $$$
Northview Golf and Country Club High-end dining, nestled amid acres of golf fairways. 6857 168th St., Surrey, 604-574-0324. $$$
Pearl on the Rock Modern Pacific Northwest cuisine with emphasis on seafood. Delicious fare. 14955 Marine Dr., White rock. 604-542-1064. $$$
Southside Grill West Coast cuisine, tasteful ambience. 1201 — 56th St., Tsawwassen, 604-948-2662. $$/$$$
Uli’s Restaurant Continental cuisine on busy restaurant strip. Water view. 15021 Marine Dr., White Rock, 604-538-9373. $$
FRASER VALLEY
Bacchus Bistro At Domain de Chaberton Estate Winery. Limited hours. Mediterranean food. 1064 — 216th St., Langley. 604-530-9694. $$
Bravo Bistro Swish little bistro, run by former Delilah’s restaurant veterans. 46224 Yale Rd., Chilliwack. 1-604-792-7721. $$
G.M. Restaurant Modest melodic with Indian food. 20726 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge, 604-463-7877. $
Paliotti’s Ristorante Italiano Cosy, old-fashioned Italian restaurant. Kids’ menu too. 12018 Edge St. (at Dewdney Trunk Rd.), Maple Ridge, 604-463-8926. $$
SQUAMISH AND WHISTLER
Araxi Restaurant & Bar Handsome Tuscan looks, regional cuisine. Outstanding wine list. 4222 Village Square, Whistler, 604-932-4540. $$/$$$
Brew House Rustic with cedar and timbers. Casual food for the family and house brews. 4355 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, 604-905-2739. $$
Ciao Thyme Small and crowded but a budget-minded jewel. Great breakfasts. 4573 Chateau Boulevard, Whistler, 604-932-7051. $
Caramba! Mostly Italian but Spanish, Asian and regional flavours sneak in. 4314 Main St., Whistler, 604-938-1879. $/$$
Fifty Two 80 Bistro Every dish a ‘wow’. Gorgeous room. Four Seasons Hotel, 4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, 604-935-3400. $$$
Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Co. The brew pub serves casual fare. The Red Heather dining room offers a finer menu. 37801 Cleveland Ave., Squamish, 604-892-2603. $/$$$
Il Caminetto di Umberto Umberto Menghi’s high-end Whistler restaurant. Features include game. 4242 Village Stroll, Whistler, 604-932-4442. $$/$$$
The Roadhouse Diner at Klahanie Pasta, light meals, entrees with West Coast flavours. Shannon Falls, Highway 99, 604-892-5312. $$
La Rua Refined tastes of the Mediterranean with B.C. backups. Romantic. Le Chamois Hotel, 4557 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, 604-932-5011. $$/$$$
Quattro at Whistler Contemporary Italian cuisine. 4319 Main St., Whistler, 604-905-4844. $$/$$$
Rim Rock Cafe Chalet style restaurant consistently offers exquisite food. 2117 Whistler Rd., Whistler, 604-932-5565. $$$
Trattoria di Umberto Tucked away from the throngs but always packed.Lovely affordable Italian food. 4417 Sundial Place, 604-932-5858. $$/$$$
Val d’Isere Fine French, but casual atmosphere. Bear Lodge, 4314 Main St., Town Plaza, 604-932-4666. $$$
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
Hollie Shaw
Sun
TORONTO — Hudson’s Bay Co. agreed Tuesday to sell its credit-card division to GE Money, a unit of General Electric Co., for net proceeds of $370 million.
The country’s oldest retailer, which accepted a friendly offer last month from shareholder Jerry Zucker, did not reveal what it plans to do with the payment.
Analysts say Zucker could put the money toward paying down HBC’s half a billion dollars in debt, or to revamping the store portfolio, one of his stated goals for the chain.
The agreement includes a 10-year alliance in which GE Money will provide HBC with credit, marketing and analytic support, as well as credit servicing and customer care for the retailer’s 3.1 million retail cardholders. HBC will transfer 650 employees to GE as part of the deal.
The owner of the Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters chains said it will receive an annual revenue stream from the alliance “similar to the historic earnings levels from HBC’s financial services business, which generated $162 million in earnings before interest and taxes in 2004.”
Performance payments from GE Money will be based on the level of credit sales, new accounts and new product introductions, which could include a co-branded credit card, said HBC spokeswoman Hillary Stauth.
A previous HBC deal to create a co-branded card with an “unnamed bank,” rumoured to be Royal Bank of Canada, was cancelled as part of Tuesday’s sale. The net proceeds of the deal don’t include a $50-million break fee HBC will pay to that bank, securitized receivables, transaction costs or taxes. Under a previous agreement, the bank had a first right to match any offer received by HBC for its credit-card business.
Although initially upset about HBC putting the credit division up for sale in October, Zucker says he believes the GE deal reflects a fair value for the asset.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
John Bermingham
Province
Larry Beasley, 57, looks forward to ‘advising cities in many parts of the world.’ Photograph by : Ric Ernst, The Province
The pair of city planners who helped make the Vancouver skyline famous around the world are retiring.
Larry Beasley and Ann McAfee, co-directors of planning at the City of Vancouver since 1994, will be leaving after Vancouver hosts the World Urban Forum in June.
Beasley, 57, is best known for designing the “Living First Strategy,” which transformed downtown with highrise condo towers.
He was also the main planner behind the Coal Harbour project, as well as Southeast False Creek and the Gastown/Chinatown heritage incentives program.
“It really had to do with my personal plans,” said Beasley yesterday. “It’s a good time for me to be able to jump into something else, and still know that I’ve probably got 10 years of very interesting work ahead of me.”
Beasley now chairs the urban design committee of the National Capital Commission in Ottawa and is an adjunct planning professor at the University of B.C.
“I’m right now advising cities in many parts of the world,” said Beasley. “I’m now going to expand that activity. I could be doing about three times more than I actually do.”
Beasley said he would also like to work on new projects in B.C.
McAfee, who turns 65 at the end of the month, was Vancouver’s first housing planner. Her social-
housing strategy helped to attract millions of dollars for neighbourhoods like the Downtown Eastside.
She also helped manage long-range public-planning initiatives such as CityPlan, Community Visions and Neighbourhood Centres.
“I don’t feel 65,” mused McAfee yesterday. “But, chronologically, I am. That’s why I’m leaving at this time.”
McAfee intends to write a book about planning in Vancouver.
She will also continue with international volunteer work for the Canadian government in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
“Instead of Doctors Without Borders, it’s Planners Without Borders,” she said.
McAfee feels the city is in great shape for the future, because city councils down through the years have supported innovations in planning.
“I think it’s on very solid foundations,” she said.
Mayor Sam Sullivan said in a statement: “We are sad to see them retire, as these two planners have played a decisive role in creating the remarkable city that we enjoy today.
“Their vision, tenacity and thoughtful advice has helped Vancouver achieve the status as one of the world’s most livable cities.”
City manager Judy Rogers has decided to combine the two co-director positions into a single director of planning.
“There will be no interruption in the top-quality planning services provided by this vital city department,” Rogers said.
© The Vancouver Province 2006
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