The Apron at The Westin Wall Centre Richmond

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Earlier this month John and I met Executive Chef Hamid Salimian behind the scenes at the Westin Whistler. He recently invited us to check out his restaurant, The Apron, located in the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport in Richmond (just off Sea Island Way).

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

I didn’t know what to expect (or how to get there) at first so I looked up a few other food blog reviews:

If you are a food lover, and enjoy dining out as an experience and not just sustenance then this is a must visit for you. Eating this meal I couldn’t believe that I was in Vancouver, it felt like one of those restaurants you book months in advance for your next vacation to New York, LA or Europe. I know I am repeating myself here but if you appreciate craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail when dining out then plan a visit to the Apron and ask if Chef Hamid will come out and say hi. – VancouverSlop

During our dinner John quoted this blog post and said he agreed whole-heartedly and couldn’t stop raving about the butternut squash soup (with apple pearls). This is a small lobby restaurant in an airport hotel and the dishes we were served were – to sum them up in one word – impressive.

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

Our server, Justin, was friendly and helpful (especially when it came to suggestions on how to eat some of the creative dishes). I had never seen a puffed fois gras, a powdered popcorn crumble on an amuse bouche, fried salmon skin that tasted like wood smoke and marshmallows, or a shrimp bar with soy caviar and squid ink garnish. Even the classic beef tenderloin was topped with a buckwheat crisp. The dishes burst with flavour and made a conscious effort to combine textures playfully.

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

The Apron - Westin Wall Centre The Apron - Westin Wall Centre

The Apron is accessible by transit or vehicle and the walk back to the Aberdeen Canada Line station took us about 10 minutes. If you’re at the airport, heading to the airport, or want to find a dining destination in Richmond, I highly recommend checking out this gem. The price points were on a bit of a higher scale but for the presentation, creativity, and quality of the food, it’s well worth treating yourself.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2

Archives Photos of the Day: Santa

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Santa rolled into Vancouver last week and he’s no stranger to our town. While looking up a keyword for today’s Archives Photos I decided to keep it simple and see how Santa has spent his time in our town over the years.


Year: 1939
In this photo: The Case triplets visit Santa
Vancouver Archives Item#: Port P802.9
Photographer / Studio: Province Newspaper


Year: 1942
In this photo: Santa being filmed at a Christmas party
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-1555
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers


Year: 1942
In this photo: Children receive gifts from Santa and a clown
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-1552
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers


Year: 1943
In this photo: Hudsons Bay Company Santa Claus
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 586-1750
Photographer / Studio: Steffens-Colmer Studios Ltd.


Year: 1945
In this photo: Santa doing a radio broadcast on Granville
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-2229
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay Ltd. Photographers


Year: 1952
In this photo: Santa handing out gifts at the Universal Lumber and Box Co. Christmas party
VPL Accession Number: 82046A
Photographer / Studio: Cronk, Doug

Canada’s Largest Christmas Carol at Woodward’s

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

This Saturday everyone is invited down to the Woodward’s Community Stage to take part in Canada’s Largest Christmas Carol.

Christmas Carolers
World Record attempt in Boston with 3,200 carolers. Photo: Rich Moffitt on Flickr

Lead by Mark Donelly (whose rendition of our national anthem at hockey games cannot be beat), the event will attempt to break a record set by Adelaide, Australia. They are in the Guinness Book of World Records for “Largest Group of Carol Singers” with 9,100 participants. While organizers are unsure they’ll get those kind of numbers for the inaugural event in Vancouver, they hope to at least set a Canadian record.

To participate, come down to the Woodward’s Plaza, in front of the SFU entrance, on Saturday, December 18th from 12:00pm until 2:00pm. Warm up your voice and bring your jingle bells.

Holiday Events in the Fraser Valley

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The following post was contributed by Kristi Ferguson of Fraser Valley Pulse.

The holiday season has offered plenty of fun out here in the Fraser Valley. The Nutcracker in Surrey, Disney on Ice in Abbotsford, Dickens Sweet Shop Christmas Village in Chilliwack and lots more…but it’s not over yet! Over the next couple of weeks there are many fun holiday activities for you and your family to experience and enjoy.

Christmas Baking 2009 with Keira

Here are 5 Fraser Valley holiday events worth checking out:

Winter Ice Palace
Visit the Cloverdale Arena during the 13th Annual Winter Ice Palace. The rink is transformed into a winter wonderland, an old-time skating pond atmosphere to bring back joyful memories of years past. A fun family event, Cloverdale’s Ice Palace is open every day between December 18, 2010 through January 2, 2011 – including Christmas Day and New Years Day. Click here to see the 2010 Winter Ice Palace schedule. Admission is $4, skate rentals $3, helmets $1.50.
Location: 6090 176 Street, Surrey
Ring: (604) 502-6410

Christmas in Williams Park
Bundle up the family, bring along the travel mugs of hot chocolate and head over to the 20th Annual Christmas in Williams Park. From December 6-16, 2010, drive through the park and admire the fun light and holiday displays from the comfort of your warm vehicle. December 17-18, 2010 will feature local entertainment, face painting and horse & carriage rides. Food and refreshments, a visit with Santa – what could be better? Open 6:00pm until 9:00pm nightly.
Location: 238 Street at 68 Avenue, Langley

The North Pole in Maple Ridge
The North Pole BC is in Maple Ridge from now until December 24th, before Santa sets out on his journeys. Call ahead to book a time for you and your family to visit. Children’s names and information are registered ahead of time so that when the meet Santa, he’s in-the-know and ready to wow them! There are all kinds of activities for the kids to do during their visit, besides visiting with the big guy. They can build a toy in Santa’s workshop or train to be an elf in Elf Academy. Bring a wrapped gift so that Santa can gift them something they’ve been longing for. Register for this ASAP as you can imagine how busy it will get closer to Christmas. Allow at least 2 days prior to your visit and Santa will phone your child on the telephone to invite him/her to the North Pole!
Ring: (604) 898-9000

Indoor Train Rides at Minter Country Garden Store
Minter Country Garden Store is all lit up with thousands of holiday lights! From now until Christmas Eve, enjoy miniature train rides on the indoor track for just $2 and take in the sights and sounds of the holidays. Enjoy a tea or hot chocolate in the cafe and live music on December 22-23 (6:00pm – 8:00pm). For those looking for daytime activities, visit Minter Country Garden Store December 18-19, 2010 for Family Fun Days – Pancake Breakfast with Santa, train rides all day, photos with Santa and a candy cane scavenger hunt at 1:00pm both days.
Location: 10015 Young Road, Chilliwack
Ring: (604) 791-7191

Hemlock Tubes for Toys
Head up to Hemlock Valley Resort December 18-19, 2010 during their Tubes for Toys event. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army’s Family Christmas Assistance Program and you will receive a free tubing pass and hot chocolate. While we have been enjoying bucket-loads of rain, Hemlock has been piling up the snow, so it’s a great time to visit. Winter fun for everyone!
Location: 20955 Hemlock Valley Road, Hemlock Valley
Ring: (604) 797-4411

This post was contributed by Kristi Ferguson of FraserValleyPulse.com and Double You Business Services. Fraser Valley Pulse features community events and local business features from Surrey to Chilliwack. Be sure to check out the 12 Days of Christmas in the Fraser Valley campaign. Help support local charities and enter to win fabulous holiday gifts! Follow @FVPulse or @DoubleYouKristi on Twitter.

Granville Island Public Market Food Bank Drive

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

As a part of the 2nd Annual Granville Island Public Market Food Bank Drive the Granville Island Day Vendors Association (GIDVA) will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash in the Public Market on behalf of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society until January 9, 2011.

PICA Students Cook with Winter Ale
Granville Island Photowalk: Oct.5, 2008 Granville Island Photowalk: Oct.5, 2008

The wish-list for food items includes: canned meat/fish, peanut butter, bags of whole wheat pasta/rice, pasta sauce, canned fruit/vegetables, cereal, baby formula, and baby food. Cash donations will be used by the Food Bank to purchase perishable items such as eggs, vegetables, fruits, milk, baby products, chickens and Christmas turkeys.

“Sadly, up to 25‚000 people throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore rely on our help each week. Up to 40% are children. They’re the working poor, single parents, new immigrants, or the elderly on fixed incomes. They’re your neighbours. They struggle to pay the rent, heat their homes, pay for school supplies, and put enough food on the table. They all deserve to have a good Christmas. But they urgently need your help.”
Cheryl Carline (Prepchuk), CEO, GVFBS

Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s top shopping destinations, loved by locals and visitors alike. It’s a great place to pick up a unique Christmas gift (anything from crafted sake to jewellery or kayaking gift certificates). While you’re there this season, please consider dropping off a donation at one of the Day Vendor locations to help make someone else’s holidays bright.