After months of teasing and speculation, Wild Rice has opened its doors at the River Market.
The chic Vancouver restaurant got its second location opened Nov. 19.
"Things are going nicely. The weekends are quite busy. People are coming around and popping their heads in just to see if it's true," said Andrew Wong, Wild Rice owner.
"We've had a positive response from the few who have ventured forward already," he said. "It's a nice indicator.'
Wong describes the menu as "modern Chinese cuisine" based on the cooking principles he learned from his grandmother as a child - from the garden to the table and back.
Wong said the restaurant will be sourcing its ingredients from local farmers, fishers and ranchers as much as possible.
Green award
New Westminster's Kruger Products has some new green credentials for the season after being one of 10 businesses to be honoured with a Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation Leadership award Nov. 30.
Kruger won the accolades for its innovative biomass gasification system at its New West plant. The system takes wood waste destined for the landfill and uses it in a "clean-burning syngas" system that replaces natural gas in the plant's steam-generating boilers.
"Since coming online nearly two years ago, the biomass gasification system has already reduced emissions at the plant by 36%, which is equivalent to planting two million trees or removing 3,500 vehicles from the roads," said Frank van Biesen, Kruger vice-president of technology. "This technology is making real improvements and moving us toward our sustainable development goals."
Christmastime
Sapperton's businesses are getting Christmassy.
The Sapperton Business Association, along with Wesgroup Properties, is hosting the fifth annual Santa Shops Sapperton event and fourth annual Christmas Tree Sale, next weekend.
Things get rolling at the Brewery District Plaza in the 200-block of East Columbia Street, next to Thrifty Foods, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The event promises carollers, Take Five Caf hot chocolate, popcorn and the big man himself, Santa Claus, visiting local businesses to make some headway on his list.
All proceeds from the Christmas tree sale go to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. The trees, 5- to7-foot grand and noble firs, are sourced from a tree farm in Langley and feature.
The event runs until 3 p.m.
