February « 2007 « Les Twarog Vancouver Real Estate and Condo Blog

Archive for February, 2007

Spam’s filling up our inboxes

Sunday, February 4th, 2007

INTERNET: Unwanted e-mail can harbour insidious threats to computers’ health

Jim Jamieson
Province

Hasan Cavusoglu says spam is becoming an increasing threat to the Internet economy. Photograph by : Jon Murray, The Province

You’ve seen them slithering through your inbox, likely since the first time you fired up a connected computer.

E-mails offering you deals on mortgages, medical treatments, investment opportunities and, of course, ways to enhance certain body parts, have been and continue to be a fact of online life.

But there has been a seismic shift in the volume and tactics of this mass-mailed, unsolicited e-mail known as spam. While you may be seeing less spam than before in your inbox, filtering software has become very sophisticated — so, much of what is sent over the Internet by spammers never reaches you. As well, many spam e-mails contain invalid addresses.

The sheer volume is staggering, as numerous antivirus companies have reported in recent months.

Postini, an online-communications security company, said spam set a record level in December of nearly 94 per cent of all electronic mail on the Internet. Postini said it blocked more than 25 billion spam messages in December, representing a 144-per-cent increase from December 2005.

The company said the potential loss in worker productivity could have billions of dollars in impact.

It estimated that spending 15 minutes a day dealing with the increased volume of spam can cost companies $3,200 per employee per year. That’s not to mention the cost to individuals who have had their bank accounts drained or identity stolen as a result of spam-driven fraud.

Does the spiking volume of spam threaten the very functionality of the Internet itself?

Hasan Cavusoglu, an assistant professor in the management information systems division at the University of B.C.’s Sauder School of Business, said that scenario is unlikely, but spam is becoming an ever-increasing threat to the Internet economy.

“It’s a big drain on resources,” said Cavusoglu. “[On the Internet] every package is delivered through a best-effort service. The result is if you load the network with a huge volume of spam, it will try to deliver it.

“The problem is that it seems like sending [e-mail] is free, but delivering this traffic is not free. The companies who deliver it are in effect spending money for nothing.”

Security companies say that much of the increased volume of spam is coming from so-called “bot-nets,” which are networks of hijacked personal computers that are used to dump massive amounts of spam and viruses. These PCs are compromised in the first place by spam e-mail that either fools recipients into opening an attachment containing a concealed virus designed to stealthily take control of the machine or sends them to a website that will effectively do the same thing. All of this is being fed by the rapid rise of always-on, high-speed Internet connections — which is a requirement for bot-nets to function.

Ron O’Brien, an analyst with global Internet security company Sophos Inc., which has a large lab in Vancouver, said historically spam was the vehicle through which viruses were delivered to your in-box and circulated around your network through mass-mailer worms.

“What we’re seeing now is the percentage of e-mail that is infected with a virus is down,” he said. “A year ago it was one in every 41 [spam] e-mails. Now it’s one in every 337.”

But the threat is actually greater now, O’Brien said.

“What we’re seeing now is spam e-mail that contain links that will connect you to a website,” he said. “Merely going to that website will result in a virus being downloaded to your computer, and that can result in someone else being able to access your computer.”

O’Brien said malicious code, or so-called “malware,” has skyrocketed as spamming has evolved. He said there are more than 200,000 forms of malware in existence. In November 2006, Sophos saw over 7,000 new pieces of malware — four times that of November 2005.

O’Brien said the company identifies 5,000 new URLs hosting dangerous computer code every day.

A major factor behind the explosion of spam has been the large-scale migration of organized crime to the Internet, said Jordan Kalpin, Canadian regional director for IBM Internet Security Systems. He said criminals have taken extortion schemes from the real world and put them online.

“You’ll see online businesses threatened with a denial-of-service attack if they don’t pay,” he said. “For some companies, having their servers down for six hours costs them a lot of money in lost business and customers.”

He said a supply chain of shady services has sprung up on the Net.

“[Malware] is sold by third-party spam distributors,” he said. “Spammers will lease out their network to the highest bidder.”

If you’re hoping for a legal remedy to this problem, there’s not much relief in Canada, said Adam Atlas, a board member of anti-spam lobby group CAUCE Canada and a lawyer who practises in the electronic transactions area.

The difficulty, of course, is balancing the interests of free speech, privacy and commerce.

“Canada is one of the few developed countries that does not have legislation specifically addressing spam,” he said.

SPAM PRIMER

What is it? Loosely defined as mass-distributed, unsolicited e-mail, it usually has a commercial angle — real or fraudulent. It can contain malicious code that will try to install programs on a PC or lure the unsuspecting to infected websites or to surrender sensitive personal information.

What should I watch out for?

E-mail from people you don’t know, unsolicited recommendations, get-rich-quick schemes, notification of winning a contest you didn’t enter.

How can I avoid being victimized? Never reply to a spam message. Delete it and block the sender. Make sure your PC is loaded with up-to-date antivirus and firewall software and keep it updated. Conduct regular virus scans.

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January home sales slower but prices up over 2006

Saturday, February 3rd, 2007

REAL ESTATE I New listings in Greater Vancouver also rising

Sun

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported Friday that home sales were slightly slower in January than in the same month last year, with just 1,806 units sold, a decrease of 6.1 per cent.

Prices, however, kept rolling up, with the benchmark price for detached homes up 9.9 per cent, to $644,316, over the year while townhouses and condominiums saw double-digit increases.

The benchmark price for a townhouse in the board’s region was up 15.5 per cent, to $410,628, and condominium prices were up 15.3 per cent, to $332,000.

The benchmark price reflects the market price for a home typical of the area.

But an increase in the inventory of homes for sale offers hope for those struggling to catch up to the runaway prices of last year.

New listings for all categories of residential properties increased by 17.2 per cent to 4,067 units, compared to 3,471 in January 2006. The total number of active listings increased by 30.1 per cent to 9,312 units.

“We’re currently seeing double-digit increases in both our new and carried-over listings inventory, a continuation of a trend started last September,” REBGV president Rick Valouche said in a news release.

“This may be one of the factors currently relieving the pressure we saw on home prices throughout 2006, which are increasing at a slightly lower rate than they were a year ago at this time.”

New listings were also up in the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s region. That board reported Friday that new listings in January increased by 14 per cent compared to January 2006.

That brought the total inventory in the Fraser Valley to 6,099, an increase of 29 per cent over last year.

But Fraser Valley board sales in January amounted to just 1,001, a decrease of 14 per cent compared to the same month last year when 1,165 sales were recorded.

The Fraser Valley board recorded year-over-year price increases proportionately higher than in Greater Vancouver for each category.

The average price of a detached house was up 11 per cent from January 2006, to $494,177 from $444,771.

Owners of townhouses fared even better. Their average price increased 16.2 per cent, to $302,591. In January 2006 that price was $260,445.

Condo owners in the Fraser Valley board’s region may have been the biggest winners, though. The average apartment price went up 18 per cent in one year, from January 2006’s average of $169,473, to $199,995 in 2007.

UP IN THE VALLEY

Owners in the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s region saw the average prices of their homes rise significantly from January 2006 to January 2007, but condo owners fared the best.

Detached homes: +11%

Townhouses: +16.2%

Condos: +18%

Source: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board

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Dangerous wiring found in most older homes

Saturday, February 3rd, 2007

HAZARDS I Houses with suites most likely to have problems

Michael Kane
Sun

Dangerous electrical wiring exists in the majority of pre-1950 homes in B.C., especially those with secondary suites, according to preliminary findings by a Vancouver company.

Of 104 older homes inspected by last year by PowerSafe Inc., 60 per cent had electrical problems requiring immediate attention.

Hazards that could lead to a fire zoomed to 84 per cent in 30 homes with secondary suites, said Brian Cook, co-founder of the firm.

Horrors like live wires hanging out of junction boxes or dangerously overloaded flexible cords were more than twice as common in homes with secondary suites, Cook said Friday.

Bad wiring can be a life or death issue. Of 242 fires blamed on faulty electrical systems, 3.2 per cent of B.C.’s total in 2004, three caused fatalities, according to the most recent numbers from the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

“Secondary suites are more likely to be home handyman add-ons where homeowners don’t use a licensed electrical contractor to put in extra wiring,” Cook said.

“It’s illegal for any licensed electrical contractor to wire a home for a secondary suite without taking out a permit, so the work gets done by people who don’t necessarily know what they are doing.”

PowerSafe was launched last year by Cook, a 30-year electrical contractor, and Ric Pow, a professional engineer, to take a closer look at potential electrical hazards that can render pre-1950 homes uninsurable unless thousands of dollars are spent on updating.

Six months ago, rather than insist that all owners of older homes bring old-fashioned “knob and tube” wiring up to current standards, B.C. Automobile Association began referring clients to PowerSafe to make a 50-point electrical safety check.

If the home checks out, BCAA insures it and refunds the $250 inspection fee over four years of reduced premiums.

While there may be no need to replace the old wiring, Cook and Pow often discover more serious hazards.

That’s what happened to Daphne and Michael Francis who had been told they could only get homeowner insurance if they rewired their immaculate 1916 heritage home in Vancouver’s Point Grey.

They called in PowerSafe which determined the old wiring was fine but then spotted a hazard the insurance company’s inspector had missed — a detached “emily knob” at the point where BC Hydro’s power line connects with the house.

That was putting tension on the power line which Cook says could have contributed to “a huge fire.” Daphne Francis immediately called hydro which fixed the problem without charge.

BCAA is now extending the program beyond knob and tube wiring, which affects about 200,000 homes in B.C., to include more recently built homes with potential problems like 60-amp rather than 100-amp service, or aluminum wiring.

Sixty-amp service was common prior to the 1970s but may not be able to handle extra loads from modern add-ons such as electrical baseboard heating and hot tubs. Aluminum wiring, widely used as substitute for high-priced copper in the decade prior to 1975, can be hazardous when used in conjunction with copper wire.

“Through our discussions with PowerSafe we came to realize there were better ways of dealing with older wiring and getting a better understanding of the risks,” said Brook Hanson, BCAA’s product manager for home insurance.

“It means we don’t have to turn members away and it has opened the market to new customers who may not be BCAA members but have heard we have this product.”

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City wants WiFi network by 2010

Friday, February 2nd, 2007

City seeks private-sector partner for $10-million venture

Randy Shore
Sun

VANCOUVER – The City of Vancouver is seeking a private-sector partner to install and operate a wireless communications network that could provide free wireless Internet WiFi access to the entire city.

The network will require about 2,000 antennae, many of which will be installed on city buildings and infrastructure such as lamp standards and will cost about $10 million to fully implement in time for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The scheme, approved by council Thursday, is intended to provide high-speed Internet access, a communications platform for security and emergency services and free limited Internet service to people on low incomes.

About $500,000 to be spent on feasibility studies and technical consultants will be added to the 2007 capital plan. The money is to be recovered from the company that secures the contract to build the network.

In approving the motion councillors were clear the system should maximize benefits to the non-profit sector and to people who might not otherwise have access to wireless services. Free or low-cost wireless Internet service for the city and community building applications of the network were among the stated goals of a council motion passed last year.

“We can see P3 models used all over the world that provide free networking that all the non-profits can then use,” said Coun. Heather Deal. She was particularly intrigued by the educational and cultural opportunities provided by a network that gives access to information and communication by anyone, anywhere in the city.

Museums, art galleries and institutions like Telus World of Science could use WiFi to guide people through interactive installations in parks or anywhere in the city, Deal said.

“We don’t want a system that is only accessible to those who pay into it,” Deal said. “I think free access is a very attractive opportunity.”

Free access to electronic communications has a powerful democratizing influence, too, she said. “In the U.K., they are doing online petitions and they go directly to the politicians,” Deal said. “That is proving extremely popular.”

Several U.S. cities are either offering or implementing WiFi systems with free service, according to a city report to council. Vail, Colo., offers a free lower-speed service subsidized by paid high-speed customers, a model also being considered by San Francisco. Most of the systems that offer free service defray costs through premium paid services or advertising targeted at free service users.

Deal admitted that free users might be exposed to advertising under such a system and although she is not completely comfortable with the idea, she is ready to consider the tradeoff.

Industry representatives were unanimous in their support for council’s initiative. Eight people spoke to council Thursday.

“What council approved in principle today were the perceived benefits of a [public-private partnership] and those benefits are the widest coverage possible and the most likelihood of creating the best city possible in terms of competitiveness and innovation.

“It also has the highest probability of not costing the taxpayers money,” said Judy Bishop, a market strategist for the B.C. technology industry. “The P3 model gives the city the ability to provide the widest possible benefits.”

Staff will report back to council on the logistics of the P3 before proceeding to consultation with the community and public organizations like TransLink, Vancouver Coastal Health, Terasen and BC Hydro, any or all of which could become anchor tenants of the system.

“Each city develops a model that works for its unique circumstances, based on its geographic, social and technology requirements,” said acting director of technology Shari Wallace. “What it looks like will be based on what makes our city unique.”

The city is likely to be an anchor tenant, using the network to reduce some of the $1.6 million it spends annually on emergency communications for police and fire departments, computer and digital assistant access for workers in the field, Blackberrys and cellular phones.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will use a wireless network as the backbone of its anti-terror security and emergency communications system.

City staff will explore potential security application for the 2010 Games in its consultation with the federal government.

– – –

HOW IT WORKS

WiFi is short for wireless fidelity.

– It uses low-power microwave radio to link one or more groups of users together, or to provide a link between two buildings.

– It can span several kilometres point to point but cannot be used where trees are in the way (water in the leaves absorb the radio signal). WiFi access points cover a radius of 100 metres using multiple channels to provide multi-user access to a central Internet access point.

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7 of 10 most expensive homes in Canada found in BC

Friday, February 2nd, 2007

B.C. a haven for priciest homes

Lena Sin
Province

Forbes, the magazine obsessed with lists for the rich and famous, has come up with the top 10 priciest pads in Canada.

And while Ontario lays claim to the top two most expensive homes in the country — mansions worth $45 million and $22 million in Oakville and Toronto — it’s B.C. that has the highest concentration of luxury homes.

Seven of the top 10 luxury pads on the Forbes list are in B.C.

The properties are, not surprisingly, located in West Vancouver, Whistler and on Vancouver Island, with the “cheapest” on the list being a $12.8-million West Van mansion.

Malcolm Hasman, the top selling realtor in West Vancouver, sold 10 waterfront properties in 2006, netting him sales of more than $200 million.

That’s up from his 2005 sales of $140 million and 2004 sales of $97 million.

So what is it that keeps drawing people back to B.C. when they could be buying anywhere in the world?

“It’s the same reason all the time,” says Hasman. “The clients I’m dealing with in West Vancouver find it a wonderful, safe community to raise kids. Many of these people are coming from London, the U.S. or parts of the world where the security and geopolitical problems today are [worse than] what they used to be.”

Hasman says buyers in West Vancouver are split 50-50 local and foreign, with international buyers hailing from China, Korea, Iran and Europe.

Compared to major cities such as London, Paris and New York, prices in B.C. are still a relative bargain.

“I just sold the most expensive condo in Victoria ever — a penthouse for $4.2 million,” says Victoria realtor Peter Nash. “That was from someone from the United Kingdom where prices are much higher. To them, it was good value.”

The most expensive property for sale in B.C. is a $20-million steel and concrete mansion on Whistler Mountain, where the 2010 Olympics can be viewed from the back yard.

The home is listed with realtor Ann Chiasson of Sea to Sky Premier Properties, who says compared to Vail or Aspen in the U.S., Whistler offers good value.

“I think the people who discover us, quite frankly, don’t want to let their friends know because they really like it here and find it refreshing,” says Chiasson.

According to the Royal LePage Carriage Trade Luxury Property Report, one-third (37 per cent) of Canadians aged 18 and over either live in a luxury home, plan to buy a luxury home soon or aspire to one day live in one.

The report says Greater Vancouver saw a 57- per-cent increase in the number of $1-million homes from the third quarter of 2005 to the third quarter of ’06.

– – –

MUST-HAVES

– According to the Royal LePage Carriage Trade Luxury Property Report, the three most important criteria when choosing a luxury home are: Investment potential (25 per cent), proximity to excellent schools (19 per cent) and the prestige of the neighbourhood (17 per cent).

– The three most important amenities when choosing a luxury home are: Commercial-style kitchen (21 per cent), indoor or outdoor swimming pool (14 per cent) and smart wiring (12 per cent).

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Restaurant listings February 2007

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

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. $$/$$$

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. $$/$$$

Crave Divine comfort food with elegant touches. 3941 Main St., 604-872-3663. $$

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. $$

Lumiere Tasting Bar The casual sidekick to famous sibling, Lumiere, next door. 2551 West Broadway, 604-739-8185. $$/$$$

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. $$$

Rare An impressive, unique menu. There’s passion here. 1355 Hornby St., 604-669-1256. $$$

Salt Tasting Room Inspired charcuterie style food with wine pairings. Edgey surrounding. 45 Blood Alley, 604-633-1912. $$

West Vies for best restaurant in the city. 2881 Granville St., 604-738-8938. $$$

ITALIAN

Amarcord Food from the Bologna and Emilia Romagna area of Italy, elegantly presented. Clear, natural flavours. 1168 Hamilton St., 604-681-6500. $$

CinCin Restaurant and Bar Seasonal menu with wood-fired dishes. Notable desserts. 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. $$$

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. $$

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. 2081West 42nd 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. $$

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. $$

Tojo’s Restaurant The topper in this category. Japanese food at its best. 1133 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. $$$

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. $$

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. 388 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. 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. $$

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. $$

Kedah House Halal Restaurant Malaysian food with a light, nimble touch. 1654 S.E. Marine Dr., 604-325-9771. $

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. $$

Sanafir Pan-Asian and Mediterranean flavours in a trio of dishes. Innovative. 1026 Granville St., 604-678-1049. $$/$$$

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. $$$

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 outdoor fish shack, 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. $

The Naam Wide variety of vegetarian fare. Quiet patio in summer. 2724 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-7151. $

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 Rico A slice of Mexico. Very inexpensive, authentic Mexican cafe. 309 West Pender St., 604-688-7426. $

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

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. $$

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. $$$

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 Van, 604-922-1155. $

Gusto Di Quattro Cosy, warm. Italian food. 1 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, 604-924-4444 . $$/$$$

Higashi West Japanese tapas. Views of Burrard Inlet. 143 Chadwick Court, Lonsdale Quay, North Van, 604-904-3755. $$

La Regalade A truly, deeply French bistro. Wonderful atmosphere. 2232 Marine Dr., West Van, 604-921-2228. $$/$$$

La Regalade Cote Mer Shares the same genes at La Regalade in Ambleside but with emphasis on seafood. 5775 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, 604-921-9701. $$$

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. $

Ocean Club Chic Yaletown-style lounge and restaurant. Food is imaginative and yummy. 100 Park Royal South, West Van, 604-926-2326. $$

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. $$$

COQUITLAM, POCO, PORT MOODY

Joey Tomato’s Mediterranean Grill Casual family retaurant. 550 Lougheed Hwy., Coquitlam, 604-939-3077

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. $$

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. $$

La Belle Auberge In a heritage house in Ladner. Sublime French food. 4856 48th Ave., Ladner, 604-946-7717. $$$

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. $$

The Seasonal Experience Adrian Beaty runs an ambitious kitchen with a Throw Away the menu option. 20226 Fraser Highway, Langley, 604-514-1311. $$

SQUAMISH/WHISTLER

Apres Quiet and intimate. Refined regional cuisine. 4338 Main St., Whistler, 604-935-0220. $$$

Araxi Restaurant & Bar Handsome Tuscan looks, regional cuisine. Outstanding wine list. 4222 Village Square, Whistler, 604-932-4540.

Posted in Restaurants | Comments Off on Restaurant listings February 2007

All aboard the Windjammer

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

The Main Street eatery is filled with people seeking good-deal meals at antiquated prices

Mia Stainsby
Sun

The Hoy family enjoys a dinner out at Windjammer Restaurant. The boys, Jacob (left) and Lucas, have the kid’s penne while their parents, Danny and Stella, enjoy cod and chips. Photograph by : Stuart Davis, Vancouver Sun

It’s like a Greyhound bus station crowd — a mix of pensioners, dads with little kids, young couples, middle-aged couples, a few hipsters. At dinner time, especially on weekends, the Windjammer restaurant has a full house.

The common denominator is people looking for a good-deal meal at rather antiquated prices, as in $7.95 for seafood agnolotti with tomato cream sauce; $6.50 for meat lasagne; $10 for lamb shank with three vegetables. A scan of tables shows fish and chips to be the kids’ and seniors’ favourite, and it’s good fish and chips to be sure.

“Three beers!” the dad of two little girls ordered. When they looked wide-eyed at him, he changed that to a beer and two pops.

“I’m going to eat Caesar salads all my life,” one cutie declared, munching through a plate of it with her sister. “Could we have some mo-wah?” she said at when every leaf was munched.

You could say the reason for the popularity is two of the owners have worked at Umberto Menghi’s Il Giardino as worker-be line cooks. You can’t help but pick up good cooking habits in a high-end kitchen catering to demanding palates.

So you’ll find the clam linguine is perfectly done with a light olive oil and clam juice sauce and fresh clams in shells. The dirt-cheap seafood agnolotti missed the mark, though, by sticking together. They should slip and slide over each other. A meat lasagne wasn’t thrilling but it was light and tasty.

The fish and chips are the stars of the show. A golden, crisp batter, fresh fish (cod, halibut or salmon), tidy fries, deep-fried at the right temperature in clean oil.

Entrees, though very economical ($10 for lamb shanks), are unexciting. Vegetables (usually three kinds on a plate) are lightly boiled or steamed. And you’d probably do best with the good-deal micro-brew pints at $4 or $13 a pitcher as the wine list isn’t enthralling.

My impatience bubbled over upon deciding on a take-out. “It’ll take 15 minutes,” we were told, but 30 minutes, 40 minutes, then 50 minutes crawled by before we got the food with no mention of the long waiting time. Luckily, the flat screen TV kept us occupied with a hockey game.

– – –

WINDJAMMER RESTAURANT

3079 Main St., 604-876-6446. Open for lunch and dinner.

Posted in Restaurants | Comments Off on All aboard the Windjammer

No-frills Thai restaurant dishes it out fast and cheap

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Family establishment serves affordable food, free of pretension, although the quality of the meals is sometimes lacking

Tara Lee
Sun

Paul (rear) and chef Phailin Eakkachaichanvet own Lhy Thai restaurant in Burnaby. Photograph by : Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun

Lhy Thai may not be the most elegant of establishments, nor the most innovative, but this veteran restaurant meets a need in Burnaby for serving speedy food at a good price.

My friend and I popped in for a bite to eat while en route to a movie. The first thing we noticed was Lhy Thai’s modest interior: tables sandwiched together, frigid temperatures and framed photographs of Thai royalty haphazardly hung on the walls. Our server unceremoniously wiped off a table, unrolled placemats with cutlery, and signalled for us to sit.

Owner Paul Eakkachaichanvet and his wife, Phailin, opened this family establishment in 1994 after immigrating from Bangkok in 1991, where they ran a food kiosk. Once in Canada, Phailin worked as a cook at Sawasdee Thai Restaurant before the couple decided to open a restaurant in this quiet corner of Burnaby. But times were tough at first, Paul recalls.

“Thirteen years ago, there weren’t many office people so we didn’t make the restaurant very fancy,” he says. “I kept my fingers crossed; ‘Can I survive in this area?'”

However, the couple stuck it out and word soon spread.

We caught on to the spirit of the restaurant, and were soon inundated with dishes. The vermicelli and cabbage filled spring rolls ($5.95) crackled in our mouths and paired well with plum dipping sauce. The arrival of stuffed boneless chicken wings ($6.50) — apparently a house favourite — gathered jealous glances around the room. Filled with spiced minced chicken in a crispy shell, they were the highlight of the meal.

However, our other two dishes faltered from lacklustre execution, demonstrating that speed can sometimes detract from culinary attentiveness. The green curry beef ($8.50) sent wafts of anticipation our way, but was watery and lacked flavour. We spooned it over jasmine rice and wished that we had opted for a spicier dish.

A plate of Pad Thai with prawns emerged limp and sodden with chili tomato sauce.

And yet, service moved with an efficiency that kept the packed room buzzing with constantly arriving and departing diners. Lhy Thai is not a place for soulful conversation, but instead, expect affordable food, free of pretension, where small groups can speedily flex their appetites.

– – –

AT A GLANCE

Lhy Thai Restaurant

7357 Edmonds St. Burnaby

604-526-8085

Open for lunch Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinner

Monday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Posted in Restaurants | Comments Off on No-frills Thai restaurant dishes it out fast and cheap

Prima Taste a worthy ‘franchise’

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Deft handling of fresh food provides the perfect touch to the intermarriage of many dishes

Mia Stainsby
Sun

Prima Taste manager Wendy Ang with some of her favourite dishes. Prima Taste serves Singapore cuisine. Photograph by : Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun

Normally I get frosty at the mention of “franchise” and “chain restaurant,” especially with a name like Prima Taste.

But forget all that. Yes, there’s a cookie cutter feel to the decor, but I walked out very happy on both my visits, with zippers and buttons working extra hard.

Prima Taste serves Singapore cuisine and you wouldn’t be totally wrong mistaking it for Malaysian cuisine. (Malaysia is a five-minute drive across a causeway.)

Owner Kiam Ang says Singapore, being a migrant country, is a melting pot of cuisines. There’s been a lot of intermarriages so dishes have evolved accordingly.

Prima’s food is fresh and shows deft handling of some very aggressive flavourings. The Hainanese Chicken Rice must be tried. It looks a little anemic upon arrival but dig in and oh my god, do they know chicken, very tender and gently flavoured with herbs, including pandan leaf. The rice that accompanies it (which can be ordered separately) is made with the broth and it’s fragrant and delicious.

Another must-try is the mango salad, a mountain of julienned mango and fennel slices. Its refreshing taste is a perfect foil for some of the heavier dishes, like Beef Randang or the satays, and especially, the yummy but heavily sauced Singapore Chili Crab. I would advise you to wear chili sauce-resistant clothing for this.

“If you go to Singapore and you don’t eat chili crab, it’s like you’ve never been. Singaporeans like to eat crab. A lot of places specialize in it,” Ang says.

Eating chili crab is kind of like mud wrestling — it’s slathered in chili sauce and you poise both hands above the plate and dive in, cracking the shell for the elusive meat. New York City and London honour the dish with annual Chili Crab Fests. If you hate getting icky, you might prefer the Pepper Crab which isn’t as sauce-luscious.

The laksa was okay by me, the coconut broth echoing the chicken and prawns in the soup. Ang says he imports the best dried shrimp he can get his hands on to enrich the broth.

I appreciated the variety of vegetables on the menu — green beans, eggplant, asparagus, kailan, broccoli and seasonal vegetables. You get a heaping plate sauteed in your choice of four sauces.

The room is shiny and new with dramatic black and white prints of Singapore. There are enough servers to provide thoughtful, friendly service and when pressed to explain dishes, they came through, explaining what sweetener was added to the Cheng Tng dessert — a sweet soup of dried fruits, lotus seeds, gingko nuts and white fungus. It’s palm syrup, she said.

Desserts can be “exotic” but I found there are a couple that are pretty close cousins to tapioca pudding and rice pudding.

You’ll find a modest list of wines, aimed at handling spicy foods.

– – –

PRIMA TASTE

Over-all: 3 1/2

Food: 3 1/2

Ambience: 3 1/2

Service: 3 1/2

Price: $/$$

570 Robson St. Open 7 days a week, lunch and dinner.

Restaurant visits are conducted anonymously and interviews are done by phone. Restaurants are rated out of five stars.

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Archive for February, 2007

City wants WiFi network by 2010

City seeks private-sector partner for $10-million venture

Restaurant listings February 2007

All aboard the Windjammer

The Main Street eatery is filled with people seeking good-deal meals at antiquated prices

No-frills Thai restaurant dishes it out fast and cheap

Family establishment serves affordable food, free of pretension, although the quality of the meals is sometimes lacking

Prima Taste a worthy ‘franchise’

Deft handling of fresh food provides the perfect touch to the intermarriage of many dishes

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Archive for February, 2007

Little Lumix is just 22 mm thick

INTERNET: Unwanted e-mail can harbour insidious threats to computers’ health

REAL ESTATE I New listings in Greater Vancouver also rising

HAZARDS I Houses with suites most likely to have problems

City seeks private-sector partner for $10-million venture

B.C. a haven for priciest homes

The Main Street eatery is filled with people seeking good-deal meals at antiquated prices

Family establishment serves affordable food, free of pretension, although the quality of the meals is sometimes lacking

Deft handling of fresh food provides the perfect touch to the intermarriage of many dishes