April « 2006 « Les Twarog Vancouver Real Estate and Condo Blog

Archive for April, 2006

Commercial rental space tight

Saturday, April 15th, 2006

WAREHOUSES I Vacancy rates for industrial spaces have been steadily declining

Fiona Anderson
Sun

Commercial tenants in the Greater Vancouver area are having an increasingly difficult time finding rental space, and are being forced to pay top dollar to get it, according to three recent reports.

Greater Vancouver is the toughest place in Canada to find large warehouse space, according to a report by CB Richard Ellis.

A company looking for space of more than 9,290 square metres (100,000 square feet), common for distribution centres, only has two options in the region, the report states. The same tenant could have its pick of nine properties in Calgary, and 74 to choose from in Toronto, the most accessible city of the six surveyed.

The vacancy rate for industrial spaces of all sizes was up slightly to 1.8 per cent in Greater Vancouver during the first quarter of 2006. But vacancy rates have been on a steady decline since the beginning of 2004, according to the report.

Record levels of new supply between January and March, which added 69,211 square metres (745,000 square feet) of industrial space — 25 per cent more than any other three-month period in the last three years — helped keep vacancy rates from tightening further.

But while some new projects are expected to be completed by early 2007, Statistics Canada reported earlier this month that investment in industrial building construction fell 9.9 per cent in the province during the first quarter of the year, the sharpest drop in the country.

Continued pressure on industrial rental property has led to record-high rents of $7.28 per square foot, up 12 per cent in the past 12 months, CB Richard Ellis reported.

Meanwhile, office space continued to tighten in the Vancouver area as well. In the downtown core, the vacancy rate fell to 5.7 per cent in the first three months of the year, down from 6.9 per cent at the end of December, according to a report by Barclay Street Real Estate.

The total amount of vacant downtown office space is at its lowest in five years, the Barclay report said.

“Companies relocating and/or expanding have driven the large amount of leasing activity we’ve seen the last year-and-a-half, and while the economic outlook and job-creation forecasts for British Columbia continue to be positive, with decreased vacancy and no new supply coming on-line after Bentall 5 is completed, there are fewer options for companies looking to expand or locate a new office downtown,” the Barclay report said.

Rents have increased 20 to 25 per cent during the past year-and-a-half, but that comes on top of depressed historical rates, the report said.

“Thus, even after a $5-per- square-foot rent increase … Vancouver downtown office rents are a relative bargain when compared to the price of virtually anything else on a company expense statement,” the Barclay report said.

CBRE also surveyed office space in downtown Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver area. It found the vacancy rate for downtown to be 7.3 per cent, down from 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2005. Differences between the CBRE and Barclay reports may be due to differing geographical boundaries and buildings covered.

Across Greater Vancouver, the vacancy rate dropped to 9.3 per cent, the lowest level in four years, the CBRE report found.

The report blamed increased construction and land costs with keeping supply low. However, increased rental rates were “now approaching the level necessary to stimulate development activity.”

RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS

Here is how Canada’s major markets stack up in terms of available industrial space over 9,290 square metres (100,000 square feet).

Vancouver: 2 options

Calgary: 9 options

Edmonton: 7 options

Toronto: 74 options

Montreal: 51 options

Source: CB Richard Ellis

SURREY FEELS THE BIG SQUEEZE

Looking for industrial space?

Maple Ridge appears to be the best best in Greater Vancouver, but things are awfully tight in Surrey.

Industrial vacancy rates

Surrey: 1.0%

Vancouver: 1.5%

Delta: 1.6%

North Vancouver: 1.8%

Burnaby: 1.9%

Langley: 2.0%

Tri-Cities: 2.0%

Richmond: 2.2%

Abbotsford: 2.5%

Maple Ridge: 3.7%

Greater Vancouver: 1.8%

Source: CB Richard Ellis

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Approach mortgages with caution

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Long-term and zero-down options can make owning easier, but there may be a downside

Fiona Anderson
Sun

Jo Tortora, mortgage specialist for the Bank of Montreal, discusses various mortgage options with a customer. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun

Innovative new mortgage packages are making owning a home easier, at least in theory. But in practice, financial institutions are taking a cautious approach to when, and if, they will grant long-term or zero-down mortgages.

In March, Canada Housing and Mortgage Corp. — which insures mortgages with only a five-per-cent downpayment — announced it would guarantee 30-year mortgages, up from the traditional 25 years. Shortly afterwards, Canada’s other mortgage insurer, Genworth Financial, upped the ante to 35 years.

But banks have been slow to jump on the bandwagon.

BMO Bank of Montreal, RBC Royal Bank and Vancity have all said they currently do not have residential mortgages beyond 25 years, although they were all looking into such an option. The main consideration was whether it would be suitable for customers.

BMO mortgage manager Jo Tortora doesn’t understand why anyone would want a longer-term mortgage.

“I don’t think it’s to the benefit of clients, because it is really just compounding their interest for a longer time,” Tortora said. “The bank’s making extra interest, but for the client, the change in payment from a 25- to a 30-year mortgage is marginal.”

The monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 5.5 per cent interest amortized over 25 years is $614.09. For a 30-year term the payment is $567.79.

“Look at what you’ve done to yourself,” Tortora said. “For $40 you’ve bought yourself five extra years of debt and payments.”

Kevin Lutz, RBC’s regional manager of mortgage specialists, agreed a 30-year amortization might not be right for every customer.

For people trying to bring down their payments it might be the right product, but if you can afford a 25-year amortization you should take it, Lutz said.

“And that’s probably what we’ll encourage should we adopt a 30-year mortgage,” he said.

Vancity is looking at how to “position [the mortgage] so it enables people to get into the market, but not into debt beyond their means,” Vancity’s product manager, Marjorie Robertson, said.

Interest rates are still relatively low, she said. But when it’s time to renew the mortgage in five years, very little of the principle will have been paid off on a longer-term mortgage, so customers may end up with quite a large payment increase if rates are higher, she said.

Vancity is looking at ways of mitigating those concerns, she said.

There are, however, other new mortgage products that may help homebuyers. Last year, RBC introduced its Homeline plan, which allows a buyer to divide a mortgage into as many as five parts, each with different terms and including both variable and fixed rates.

“It’s a great product to hedge where you think interest rates are going to go,” Lutz said.

RBC also has zero-downpayment mortgages, but there are very few of those, Lutz said.

“Most folks find the resources to come up with that five-per-cent downpayment,” he said.

Steve Moffitt, a senior mortgage consultant with Equimac Mortgage Centre, agrees that very few people are taking out 100-per-cent mortgages.

As CMHC and Genworth only insure mortgages up to 95 per cent, the banks kick in the other five per cent, Moffitt said. But banks increase the rate over the first five-year term to recoup that money. Where a conventional mortgage may charge 4.9 per cent interest, the zero-down mortgage could be 6.3 per cent, Moffit said. So potential purchasers get “sticker shock” when they see the interest rate and tend to find the downpayment, he said.

But 30- and 35-year mortgages are now available through “wholesale lenders,” Moffitt said.

A new product from Vancity is opening the door to homeownership for society’s most unlikely homeowners — people in subsidized housing. The springboard program will provide 100-per-cent financing, at a fixed low rate, to people who have paid their rent on time for at least two years and have verifiable income, said Elisabeth Geller, Vancity’s manager of community and environment programs. The program is part of Vancity’s long tradition of “banking on the unbankable,” Geller said.

To make monthly payments manageable, 20 per cent of the loan will be interest fee, while the remaining 80 per cent will require interest payments only, stretched over a 10-year period. After the 10 years are up, the owners can apply for a conventional mortgage.

The amount is capped at $200,000, so although the program is available to anyone who lives in non-profit housing wherever Vancity does business — the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and Victoria — it is unlikely to apply to people wanting to buy in Vancouver, where prices are significantly higher than that, Geller said.

“The initial target for this is the Fraser Valley and the Tri-Cities,” Geller said.

Vancity won’t be making money on these mortgages, but it hopes to reap the benefits down the road when the new purchasers renew their mortgages, Geller said.

“For 60 years Vancity’s bread and butter has been residential mortgages,” Geller said. “Vancity started 60 years ago, when no bank would give a mortgage east of Main Street. So when Vancity started in 1946, it said we’re going to be the first financial institution to lend money for people to buy homes east of Main Street. That’s the kind of foundation and innovation that we’ve wanted to make sure we don’t lose sight of over 60 years.”

But what potential home-buyers should really be looking at is not what new products are out there but what products, new or old, suit them and their cash-flow, Tortora said.

People who want to get into the market may want to consider buying houses in places that are still affordable and renting them out, instead of buying a home they can’t really afford, Tortora said.

It gets people into the market, it enables them to build up equity, yet it is still manageable from a cash-flow perspective.

A mortgage should be an asset not a ball and chain, Tortora said.

PAYING DOWN THE MORTGAGE

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. now guarantees 30-year mortgages, while Genworth Capital has gone one step further, taking on 35-year mortgages. With a fixed interest rate of 5.5 per cent, this is how much will be paid off for a $100,000 mortgage after five years:

Term Monthly payment Balance Outstanding after five years

25 years $614.09 $89,271.35

30 years $567.79 $92,460.47

35 years $537.02 $94,579.95

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Dead man receives $218,000,000,000,000 phone bill

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Sun

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s largest telephone company blamed a debt collection agency Thursday for a misplaced decimal point that resulted in a $218 trillion US phone bill being sent to a dead man.

Telekom Malaysia said the agency mistakenly sent out a notice demanding payment of 806,400,000,000,000.01 ringgit ($218 trillion) instead of the actual 80.640000000000001 ringgit ($21.80).

The notice threatened court action if the bill was not paid.

“It is a mistake,” Telekom spokeswoman Mariam Bevi Batcha told The Associated Press. “It’s clearly not Telekom Malaysia’s fault … we have given a stern warning to the debt collection agency because they sent out the notice.”

She declined to name the debt collection agency.

She said the mix-up had been explained to Yahaya Wahab, who received the bill on behalf of his late father.

Yahaya said earlier this week that he had disconnected his late father’s phone line in January and settled an 84-ringgit ($23) bill then. Yahaya said he nearly fainted when he saw the inflated bill.

Mariam said the company was waiting for a full report from the agency on the matter, and was not able to say whether any apology would be made to Yahaya.

Government-linked Telekom Malaysia Bhd. is the country’s largest telecommunications company.

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Tiny devices could soon light up the world

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Nanometre-sized light-emitting devices can be printed on thin sheets of material and applied to any surface

Charles Mandel
Sun

American researchers have seen the light — and it is good.

Working with organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), scientists from California and Michigan have developed a white light that potentially can be incorporated into virtually any surface, is bright, and could last as long as two years.

OLEDs are nanometre-sized semiconductors that are printed on layers of organic materials — frequently carbon. They emit light through a process known as electrophosphoresence, which involves injecting electrons into the organic material and exciting the molecules into creating luminescence.

Because OLEDS are printed on thin layers of plastic, glass and metal hundreds of times thinner than a human hair, they have the potential to be used in large panels applied to any flat or curved surface, including walls, ceilings and tables.

But Stephen Forrest, vice-president of research for the University of Michigan, said at least initially people may prefer to see them in the shape of an old-fashioned light bulb.

“People like what they have, so why not just have a piece of plastic that you screw in, looks exactly like a light bulb, and you turn it on,” Forrest said in an interview Thursday.

Forrest and Mark Thompson, a professor of chemistry at the California-based USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, report on their invention this week in the journal Nature.

One of the biggest challenges with OLEDs to date has been the creation of a pure, strong, energy-efficient white light.

White light is formed from the correct ratio of phosphorescent red, green and blue. According to Ted Sargent, a University of Toronto professor who holds the Canada Research Chair in Nanotechnology, it’s easier to produce one of the colours than all of them. Scientists have previously tried to produce white light by first creating the blue light and then mixing it with the other colours. While that technique works, it is not efficient because creating the blue light adds an extra step to the process, and the blue light lacks longevity.

Instead, Forrest and Thompson manipulated a blue fluorescent dye to work in conjunction with red and green phosphorescent materials.

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Hidden costs in details of Olympic contracts

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Kent Spencer
Province

The Vancouver Olympic Committee can even veto Vancouver’s choice of a name for the Athletes Village during non-Olympic periods.

A spruced-up Pacific Coliseum isn’t supposed to use its publicly-funded upgrade to scoop business away from GM Place after the Olympic Games.

That clause was revealed this week among the venue agreements that Vancouver has signed with the Olympic Committee.

“The city acknowledges there may be potential for the refurbished Coliseum to compete with GM Place . . . and GM Place’s ability to operate competitively may be impaired. The city agrees to consult with Orca Bay with the objective of ensuring a fair competitive environment,” one agreement reads.

Chris Shaw of the 2010 Watchdog Committee said the item is an example of the “hidden costs.”

“It was probably inserted because arena owner Orca Bay is represented on the Olympic Committee by a former employee,” he said.

Responded Vancouver Coun. Peter Ladner: “The wording is innocuous. It sounds like a clause so Orca Bay doesn’t feel like it’s being pushed around. The city will attempt to maximize its revenues.”

In the documents, Vancouver agreed to build the $167-million Athletes Village at False Creek and $26-million Hillcrest Curling Centre. The Coliseum and Agrodome will undergo a $21-million facelift for international ice hockey. Total Olympic contributions were $76 million to those projects.

The contracts, obtained after a Freedom of Information request from The Province, spell out the costs that city taxpayers have assumed for 2010.

Athletes Village project director Jody Andrews of Vancouver warned that “like a lot of other construction projects, our costs are rising.”

Another hidden cost is a clause that makes the Coliseum available for the “exclusive use” of the Olympics from Oct. 4, 2009, to March 31, 2010.

That covers the entire season for the Vancouver Giants, the Coliseum’s biggest tenant and money-earner.

“We were told that is not what is going to happen when everything is sorted out,” said the Giants’ owner, Ron Toigo.

“We expect to be out a couple of months, but we need to start planning.”

Another detail provides insight into how tightly the committee protects its advertising privileges.

Vancouver is allowed to name the Athletes Village, but the name must be acceptable to the committee even during non-Olympic periods.

Shaw said the provision is another example of how “the IOC has its nose in everything” and takes over city life in ways which people don’t realize.

“The Olympics people make a lot of promises to get support,” he said. “Some people believe the hype.”

VANOC PRIVILEGES

– The Olympic Organizing Committee pays Vancouver no rent or property taxes.

– The city is responsible for all permits and fees.

– Non-unionized Olympic employees will be allowed to work at the venues for several months prior to the Games.

– The committee has the exclusive use of Nat Bailey Stadium, field and parking lot for three months prior to the Games.

– The committee has the right to determine which products are available at the venues.

– The committee has no liability for environmental claims.

– The committee can terminate the contract at any time at its sole discretion.

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Home Sales: Vancouver prices to increase

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Province

TORONTO — A record number of homes were sold in major Canadian cities during the first quarter, the Canadian Real Estate Association said yesterday.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the number of homes that were listed and sold on the Multiple Listing Service totalled 86,861 during the first three months of the year.

That’s one-tenth of a percentage point above the previous record, set in the third quarter of 2005, the association said.

Prices are expected to continue to rise sharply in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Hamilton — the country’s tightest markets, measured by sales as a percentage of new listings.

“The strength of the housing market this year continues to surprise, despite rising home prices and slightly higher interest rates,” said Gregory Klump, chief economist at the real-estate association.

He credited numerous factors for the market’s buoyancy. “Homebuyers’ ability to extend the amortization of mortgages insured against default and the continued ability to negotiate a discount off advertised mortgage rates are helping keep monthly payments down despite rising home prices,” he said. “Rising incomes are also helping to keep housing affordability reasonable.”

Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto led the way for home sales in the first quarter. But new listings of homes for sale in Calgary fell to their lowest level in three years, as demand continues to outpace supply.

The number of new listings broke records in Victoria, Toronto, Ottawa, St. Catharines and Saint John, and, across the country, new listings in March of 46,265 represented the highest level since May 1991.

Prices were also on the rise, with the average listing price for major markets in March setting a record at $289,639. That’s an 11.5 per cent increase from March 2005.

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Restaurant listings For April 13, 2006

Thursday, April 13th, 2006

Mia Stainsby
Sun

A list of restaurants recommended and anonymously visited by Sun restaurant critic Mia Stainsby. 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. $$/$$$

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. West Coast:

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. $$

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. $/$$

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. $$$

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. $$$

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. $$/$$$

Posted in Restaurants | Comments Off on Restaurant listings For April 13, 2006

Wireless TV ruling by CRTC welcomed

Thursday, April 13th, 2006

Firms such as Telus, Bell and Rogers won’t face Canadian content rules

Marke Andrews
Sun

A Wednesday decision to exempt television programming on wireless devices from government regulation was greeted enthusiastically by one wireless service provider.

“We are very pleased,” said Janet Yale, executive vice-president of corporate affairs for Telus. “It’s a really good decision, not just for those of us delivering television over our cellphones and other wireless handsets, but for consumers.”

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ruled Wednesday that television content on cellphones and other wireless devices falls within the CRTC’s New Media Exemption Order, which was issued in 1999. That means that companies like Telus Mobility, Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility will not be subject to Canadian-content guidelines the way network television is monitored.

In an interview Wednesday, CRTC chairman Charles Dalfen said the commission had the same choice it faced in 1999 regarding the Internet — either rule that mobile television must be licensed, or exempt it from regulation.

“We chose the latter because we didn’t know enough about it, we didn’t know where it was going to go as a service, and we didn’t know what impact it would have on broadcasters,” said Dalfen, who added that mobile TV has not yet had an adverse impact on broadcasters.

“Mobile TV falls within that new media exemption order based on the fact that it is delivered and accessed through the Internet,” said Dalfen. “But even if technology moves and they decide they are not going to use the Internet, we’re still not going to license it until further notice because, again, we don’t know where it’s going, what services it will be capable of, what the [receiver] sets are going to be like, what the viewer habits are going to be, when is prime time.”

Said Dalfen: “It’s important not to chill the technology, because we want to see innovation and we didn’t want to limit it by non-market forces until we found that viewing was drifting over to it. There is little sign of that happening.”

Dalfen said that if the CRTC finds that mobile television is having an impact on broadcasting “we may well revisit it.”

People with concerns can contact the commission through its website at crtc.gc.ca, until May 12.

Telus’s Yale agreed with Dalfen’s statement about leaving new media alone.

“This sends a signal that all service providers have real flexibility to experiment and innovate and invest, without fear of regulatory impediments that are going to jeopardize our ability to use this new technology to deliver innovative applications to consumers,” said Yake.

Consumers with Telus Mobility, Bell Mobility and Rogers Wireless are offered a selection of news and information packages (which include CBC Newsworld and The Weather Network) for their phones. Thus far, people are not downloading network dramas and sitcoms on to their cell phone screens.

Dalfen said the CRTC consulted with broadcasters before today’s ruling, stating the broadcasters suggested mobile providers could be exempt, but that they would like to see an exemption done “in a much more narrow way” than the 1999 Internet exemption.

“They established concern that there may be an impact, and that’s very similar to what the industry said in 1999,” said Dalfen

No one at Global Television or CTV was available for comment by press time.

Posted in Technology Related Articles | Comments Off on Wireless TV ruling by CRTC welcomed

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