Tartin: Mmmm...mmmm....good.

Ever wander around town to discover something new and exciting? That's what happened to me today when I was just roaming around Granville Island. I had some lunch and grabbed a cup of coffee and wanted something sweet but not too rich, I then saw this beautiful table of assorted tartes in a display case. The tartes stood out like pricelsess jewels in Tiffany's but these jewels were edible.

Tartine is this bakery and shop that has a kiosk outlet located in Granville Island. Their main shop is on 770 Beach Avenue but I recommend going to the Granville Island location instead because of the larger assortment of specialized tarts they carry.

You know I tend to be very picky when it comes to fine pastries and desserts and I was very pleased in what Tartine had to offer. The assortment of tarts they carry would make your eyes light up with glee and joy. They had delectable flavours like Cherry Pecan, Lemon, Sour Cherry, White Chocolate and more. Becky who assisted me was very friendly and informative on the tartes they offered. She is also one of the reasons I recommend visiting this location due to her warmth and friendly customer service.

I decided to try out one of their classics Chocolate Raspberry $3.00. It was this dark chocolate ganache topped with a raspberry compote in the most tender dark chocolate buttery crust. One bite and I was in true orgasmic bliss. My inside voice told me... "Shit this is f*ckin good." I had to go back to Becky and let her know how pleased I was. I would tell you the exact location in Granville Island where Tartin is located but Becky did mention their table does move to different locations throughout the market but the search is worth the wait...guaranteed.



Tartin is truly worth visiting to try their tarts right away or take away several for a dinner party for your friends and family. So skip the cupcakes, frozen gelato or brownies at Granville Island and head over to Tartin and say "Hi" to Becky for me.

Field Trip: Old Towne Bellingham Washington

I remember hearing about Old Bellingham from a friend of mine as a small town with lots of character and charm. It was only about a 45 minute drive from Vancouver B.C and the town was beautiful. The town was kinda like a larger version of Mayberry. I was trying to look for some apple pies on window sills cooling which would make this town more perfect. It was finally great to come to a town without mass production of Timmy's, Starf*cks and Blenz. Each coffee shop in this town was so personal in its own character and style from the exposed brick stone walls to the vintage wood moulding window sills. You would have to live here for at least a year to try each coffee or dessert shop. Parking is terrific because it was all free on Sundays and holidays...just FYI.

Some of you may cry since there's no Gap, Mickie Dee's or KFC but hey step out of your frigin' comfort zone and try some real food and shops. Each shop owner greeted us with a genuine friendly smile as welcomed us to their town. One of my "Ab Fab" places to visit was a shop called Digs, a groovy, funky but yet modern styling of home furnishings, furniture and chachkas. Very retro yet very House and Home.

Bloom is this very funky eatery and pub that specializes in Vegan food. Bloom is not like those places you see on Commercial Drive that reeks Patchouli and everything tastes off mashed up chick peas or toasted hemp seeds. Bloom focuses on flavour and good eating. I was very impressed with Bloom's diverse menu. They even have house bands that play in the evenings which I will definitely will check out next time I do an evening trip out.

Of course what's a small town without some great antique shops but unfortunately the one's we wanted to check out were closed I guess this small town still lived in the good ol' days when most stores were closed on Sundays. My favorite quote I must share with you from Chan as we window shopped at these charming antique shops.

"Wow, it looks like they have a lot of nice shit in this store."

Just a tacky display of unlimited spices and condiments at some white trash buffet we dined in.

Espresso Avellino was this cute but kewl cafe and tea shop. They had the most delicious looking home baked scones, biscottis and cookies. The sky blue facade of the building paired with the gun metal grey patio furniture was what made me go to this amazing place.

Just on the edge of town about a 2 minute drive was Bellingham Bay and we found this gorgeous breathtaking beach, so amazing with its warm breath of salt air. Just don't mind it's next to the correctional institute.

"Uh-oh I'm busted."

If you live in Vancouver or plan just plan to visit I do highly recommend this as a road trip destination and if you still need a shopping urge Bellis Fair Mall is just 5 minutes away but do you really need another pair of Gap khakis?

Maple Leaf Garden Centre: Tis the season to start gardening.

Even though you may not be a true gardener, have no interest in gardening what so ever or just feels so discouraged because you feel like your born with two brown thumbs that you would even kill a plastic Ficus tree, I highly recommend you visit Maple Leaf Garden Centre in West Vancouver. This shop is like the Holt Renfrew of garden centres. I myself like to find various ways of inspiration. This garden centre will truly give you the inspiration to find yourself a new hobby of gardening.


The family owned business is in it's third generation started back in 1927 was founded by Albert and Hendrika Duynstee. It started as a small nursery from the home in the front of the garden centre. Just walking the grounds and you will be in true awe at the beauty of this garden centre and it's picturesque scenic mountain backdrop.

There is a definite true charm and warmth about this place I cannot explain that you have to truly experience on your own. In the back of the home you will see individual see individual cedar sided shingle sheds or houses which have their own character. The first shed is the Pottery Shed which houses their beautiful collection of various pots, urns and containers. House 1 and House 2 has hundreds of perennial and annual specimens you will just be in love and will just put a smile to any ones face.

The wide array hanging baskets they hang on all the cedar brackets and posts will make you want to just purchase all of them to decorate house and home. Which ever angle you look at this garden centre you will be so overwhelmed on the beauty. You will find many unique plant specimens that you will never find in a regular garden centre which is another reason to visit this grand place. You can easily spend an hour here looking at all the different aisles, houses, nooks and crannies.
Take the time and visit this unique place and fall in love as I did. If you have any questions on gardening or just feel overwhelmed ask any of the friendly staff like Katrina. I found Katrina a wealth of knowledge, friendly and will take the time out of her busy day to assist you. For detailed information regarding Maple Leaf Garden Centre I recommend you visit their website at www. mapleleafgardencetre.ca

I myself do like to garden as it's a way to escape from our dreary everyday routine and a feeling of self accomplishment. You don't necessarily have to have a house to garden because any patio, balcony,community garden or individual pot you too can create your own garden oasis.

Ray's Classics

Some people call me a food snob or just overly picky with what I eat. I prefer to call myself a food elitist. Throughout the years in my baking and cooking experience in the industry, I've created and collected some my most favorite recipes that I truly enjoy eating as great comfort foods as well as easy to make dishes that any home cook can prepare themselves. I would like to introduce to you a segment called Ray's Classics.

Ray's Classics are the stuff we all love to eat, the Classic Chocolate Cake, the Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies or the Classic Roast Chicken. Many of these recipes I've already introduced and shared to my students at the post secondary schools and they are so overwhelmed of how delicious and simple these dishes can be. The true secret of my recipes is only using whole ingredients like unsalted butter, unbleached flour or whole (homoginized) milk. I like the true nostalgic type of farmhouse cooking and baking back in the 50's when they only used the freshest ingredients they had in their pantry. No chemicals, additives or artificial flavorings or colorings. I want to bring back that style of cooking to our modern times and enjoy how food should truly be in it's natural form. I hope you all enjoy Ray's Classics and will share them with your friends and loved ones.



To start things off I would like to introduce to you my Classic Buttermilk Cheese Biscuits. Many of my friends have nagged me for years and years how I make my biscuits which I also sell at Bean Around the World coffeshop in Strathcona if your too lazy to make them yourself. I do recommend baking them yourselves as once your kitchen has this thick aroma of cheese biscuits perfuming your home your nose will just turn up with awwee and will be dying to sink your teeth in these delectable treats of joy.

Classic Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound (1cup) cold unsalted butter; cut into small pieces
2 cups whole buttermilk
1 cup old cheddar cheese; grated

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt till combined.
3. Add cold butter into flour and break into smaller pieces into the flour. Combine till resembles small peas. Toss in 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese till combined. Reserve the rest for the topping.
4. Drizzle in buttermilk bit by bit and toss together using a large rubber spautla. Use only enough buttermilk to form a soft dough and no more loose bits form on the bottom of the bowl.
4 Press dough together but do no knead dough.
5. On a lightly floured board press down on down to form a 1inch thickness.
6. With a floured 2 inch biscuit cutter cut dough and place onto prepared sheet pan.
7. Place remaing cheese on top of each biscuit.
8. Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes till lightly browned.
9. Remove biscuits from sheets and cool on cooling racks 5-10 minutes.

Brunch at DB Moderne

What is the deal with a Morning Slam? I really never understood the concept of why people throw good money away by going to a restaurant that have dishes called Morning or Southern' Slam. I am not also a big fan of a $3.99 basic breakfast at some dodgy pub. For me, I work frigin' hard for my bucks and when I eat out I want to be impressed. I like eating places that have great food, fab ambience and reasonal price range.

I had brunch with my friends Randal, Marnie and their daughter Sadie at DB Moderne. (DB standing for Daniel Boulud as he is one of the greatest chefs in our time with various different restaurants around the country.) I was very impressed with my breakfast. I always recommend when eating out with freinds that you should all order something different so you can all taste various items on the menu.

I myself was a bit daring and wanted to stray away from typical bacon and eggs combo or french toast. I decided to have their Duck Poutine Lyonnaise $14. It was the most tender shredded duck meat braised in what they call "au jus," think of the richest most flavourful gravy drenched in this succulent bird. On top on the duck what the most crunchiest roasted or maybe fried potatoes then covered with cheese like poutine. Then atop that was this most delicious perfectly cooked poached egg. Aside all this was a perfectly dressed salad. Omg, omg my eyes were rolling with delight. There was an orgy of flavours in my mouth that I could not explain. I do highly recommend this dish. This dish does fill you up with its generous portion. Randal had their Brioche French Toast $12. It was ok but I fond it a little skimppy for what your paying as it was only 2 small pieces of french toast with lil bits of fruit. When I eat something like french toast or pancakes I like to accompany them with some sort of salted pig product side dish like sausages or bacon. Marnie had the Classic Eggs Benedict $14. I was never a great fan of Eggs Benny just because I find the holladaise sauces to rich for me but if you like eggs benny Marnie does recommend it. Last but not least, Sadie had the Belgian Waffle $12. How can you go wrong, all kids love waffles and whip cream but I still think you need some Porky Pig on that plate.

All in all I do recommend this restaurant for their food and very modern dining room. Service was very attendtive and perfect. This is why I don't mind paying extra for eating out for breakfast. You get the service you need compared to being ignored or forgotten when you need a simple refill for coffee or wanting a glass of water. Kudos to the staff of DB Moderne. Feel free to check them out at http://www.dbbistro.ca/

Oy Vey.....

What to do...what to do..I'm such a shmuck. Sorry folks I started my Blog on a wrong note but I couldn't log back on..WTF. Well thing should be back on track and the journey begins.


Damn I can't belive it's already May. Some of you may be wondering where did Ray-Ray disappear to from the world of cyber. Well life been hectic here at the homefront with work and just life. I wonder how does Perez and Martha live their busy lives and still keep up to date with their blogs, I know, its called a frigin staff of production assistants and personal assistants. I need one of those. Does anyone want to work for me as a personal assistant? I'll pay out of pure love and appreciation for the time being till some good fortune will come my way. Today I had a day off from the school so it was a great day to put my life back in sync. (hmmm.. that puts me in the mood to play an old skool N'sync song)


Well the "Summer of Ray" will soon begin and looking forward to new and exciting things. For sure I'll take ya guys out on a road trip with my new car. Oh ya, I bought a new car. Yahoo.........I'm so excited with my new ride. Buckle up gang cause it's gonna be a sweet ride.