Over the last few decades grocery stores have moved farther and farther away from in-store produced baked goods to premixes and mass produced products from centralized factories. There’s certainly been some health and safety concerns driving that decision. Donut fryers being a perfect example. Nasty business getting burned frying doughnuts. But have you tried a grocery store donut lately? It’s fu**ing terrible.Economics play a role in this move as well. It’s expensive to have a bunch of journeyman Baker’s working in your store. And certainly there are efficiencies from mass producing product in one location for many retailers.Technology is improving and there are some products that are actually quite good. There are some fine all butter croissants and Danish to be had from your local grocer. But the fast majority still are not professional baker quality products.This has opened the door though for the small bakery to make a comeback and we’re seeing more and more of them pop up around the Greater Vancouver area, much to my applause. I wish I was a bit younger with more energy and could open my own Bakery. Far too old for that now though. But I can use my knowledge and expertise from 36 years in the industry to figure out some of the better options for higher-end baked goods in the city.

Chez Christophe is a professional bakers wet dream.

These delicacies were tried over a few visits, and there will be more. This bakery is that good.

Fruit topped Financier.

Most often found as a small, gold bar shaped cake, a Financier is make from butter and almond flour. Its usually very moist, allowing even a two day old cake still moist enough to be enjoyed.

This fantastic version is covered with fruit and nuts, similar to how a fruit tart would be presented.

10/10

Pain au Chocolate

Just look at all those layers of flakey, buttery goodness. Of course the true appreciation is the skill and technique that goes into making croissants.

10/10

Trio de Chocolat

Three different chocolate mouses, white, dark and milk. All excellent. Though what elevated this was the chocolate crumb on top. It made some excellent chocolate moves into a fantastic eating experience.

Tart au Citron

A light, tangy lemon curd on delicious wafer. The lemon curd struck the perfect balance between sweet and sour, and was light enough not to feel like it was too much.

10/10

Tiramisu

A lovely modern take on the Italian classic. Rich and creamy with the chocolate layer giving a nice textural component.

9/10

Mabgo Chocolate

A chocolate mouse done with a mango mousse inside, the nango flavour was surprisingly intense. And a beautiful complement to the dark chocolate.

8/10

Homemade chocolates. Ok this is where I can really get into trouble.

At about $2.50 each you can’t exactly be gorging yourself on these.

But what a delight. I’m not going to list all the flavors but here’s a photo of the chocolate legend.

The 9 piece box

While all were delicious, the Tom Collins and the Champagne Grapefruit stood out to me. High quality chocolate with extraordinary fillings, ones you won’t find elsewhere. I mean come on, a Gin chocolate? Fantastic!

10/10

Its been four visits so far, every one an great experience.

Next time your in North Burnaby it’s definitely worth your time for a stop in. There’s nothing here to disappoint.

Oh ya, they do coffee really well too.

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Youll find it tucked away on Sperling just off Hastings.

Vanila Latté

Youll get a proper latté, made by someone who cares about the final product, with coffee roasted in house.

Ya that’s an excellent coffee. A good balance of coffee to milk to syrup. Not burned like the other place.

Just a little more expensive. But worth it.

10)10

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If you find yourself in Texas, Memphis, Kansas City or St Louis you will have no issues. I’m sure there are lots of other US cities that boast some fine BBQ as well.

I’ve personally experienced good BBQ in many cities across the south. Texas style being my favourite.

In Canada though, it’s a different story.

Not that you can’t find BBQ. It’s around. It’s finding good BBQ that can be tricky.

So when I stumbled upon Butcher’s Block a few years ago in North Burnaby I was more than a little thrilled.

It’s perhaps not quite up to the level of the best BBQ in Texas. But it ain’t far off.

So today we are gonna order up a big pile of protein.

If you’re vegan you probably want to skip the rest of this post. It’s going to be meat, meat and more meat from here on out.

That’s a good looking plate of dead animals right there.

There’s some pulled pork buried under all that sauce, a delicious Italian sausage and some of the most delicious brisket I’ve had, Texas included.

It’s real easy for pulled pork to get dried out but this batch was very moist. A beautifully crafted, in house I’m sure, BBQ sauce smothering it.

The Italian sausage was smoked to perfection.

But that brisket. Oh that brisket. Tender and melt in your mouth. The fat rendered down so it just melts in your mouth. Exquisite.

As for sides, we got some great macaroni salad and baked beans that will spoil you for anything that comes out of a can. A little white bread to soak up the sauces and juices finishes off everything nicely.

There is an art and tons of skill and experience that goes into great BBQ. Whomever is on the smoker at Butcher’s Block has his trade down pat.

9/10

Check out their website here

Patina Brewing in PoCo is also some good local BBQ. Check out my review of Patina here

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Even with the $13 fee Mello donuts are worth forking out for delivery once in a while.

But wouldn’t you know it, the strawberry cream version wasn’t on the menu today. Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t go all the way there.

The donut craving still called though.

Unfortunately Gourmet Donuts isn’t on Uber Eats.

But then I noticed La Miel Bakery and Cafe under the “donut” query, and wouldn’t you know it they also have a strawberry cream donut that looks very similar to the Mello offering.

That got my interest piqued. So like a kid in a candy store (that may be a more literal analogy than I care to admit) I ordered up a few treats.

And they all sucked in one way or another

Strawberry cream donut

The whole reason I ordered from La Miel Bakery and Cafe was this donut.

What a disappointment.

First the exterior.

I can’t quite figure out what coating the donut is dipped in. But whatever, it is is terrible

Sugar, Cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar:these are acceptable coatings.

Whatever it is imparted a soggy feeling to the donut overall. The cream filling was decent enough. But doesn’t make for the rest of it.

As I was expecting better, I had also ordered the mango version to try.

It wasn’t any better. Same terrible coating, same soggy feeling. The mango cream I scooped out had a nice flavour, but that didn’t make up for the overall unpleasantness of the donut.

There is no picture for it but I also got the Pistachio cream donut. Not gooing to bother trying it due to the last two varieties.

A Blueberry Buttercream Bun.

While it is a fresh, soft brioche style bun, I found the flavour of the fillings off-putting.

The blueberry filling they used is a commercial filling I know well from my years in the industry. Too artificial for my liking. Thats a Venetian creme decor on top, which isn’t the worst of the commercial fillings, but doesn’t compare to real custard at all. Best thing I can say about it – it was fresh. One in my life will do.

Then I had a chocolate covered Madeline.

I had high hopes for this. I love Madelines.

A Madeline is a small lemon flavored cake, light and airy.

Well it supposed to be anyways.

This was dry and crumbly with no lemon flavour at all. Clearly stale. I don’t know, maybe I’m just too picky after 36 years in bakeries. I wouldn’t send that out myself. But the chocolate was good.

So that was $36 dollars well wasted.

And one bakery I know I don’t need to visit again

1/10

Shoukd you want to try some of their products yourself you can find their website here:

https://le-miel-bakery-cafe-mr-paris-fresh-bakery.menu-world.com/

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At the Brentwood location for the first time this afternoon.

Before the drinking starts going to have to get some food in me.

My first impressions weren’t great.

but they exceeded those expectations.

A tender pork filled dumpling served with a soy sauce. Perhaps a bit too much of that sauce but it didn’t affect he quality of the dumpling.

8/10

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I was walking through Brentwood today and I ran into a donut shop I haven’t seen before.

Well outside Granville Island anyways

I’ve only had a chance to try Lee’s once or twice and it was long enough ago I don’t have much recollection of the quality. Which may say a lot about the quality considering I am a donut expert, having been a baker for 36 years

It seems most of their offerings are from the cake donut family, my least favorite type of donut. So I’m going with a fritter and a Bavarian creme.

First thing to note is the size of the fritter.

Unfortunatley that was to be the only impressive thing about it.

Tbe donut itself was fine, the raspberry jelly inside it was very disappointing.

I’ve made quite a few varieties of fritters over the years. Apple of course. But add to that blueberry, banana, peach and corn, just to name a few.

One thing they all have in common. Real fruit. Or veg.

That fake jelly crap is such a turn off. I know exactly what that stuff is. No one should be eating it. But just imagine what it could be like if it had real raspberries in it? It’s a shame really.

As for the Bavarian, it wasn’t even worth taking a picture of.

They couldn’t even be bothered putting chocolate on top like it’s traditionally done. Just rolled it in granulated sugar.

One bite, you know the rules. Then straight into the bin.

After that disappointment all I want to do now is head to Mello downtown.

3/10

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I had such a good meal here last time we wanted to give it a second try.

Started with a Turkish Coffee of course

Bold and intense caramel flavours. If you are new to Turkish coffee beware. It’s strong. Very strong. Very satisfying though.

Cigar Borek is something I tried last time and I loved it.

Think spring roll but with cheese inside.

The phyllo was nice and crispy and it has a nice, citrusy, salty flavour.

Absolutely delicious.

I normally don’t order soup when eating out. Unless it Lobster Bisque ot the Pan Roast at the Oyster Bar in Vegas. But I haven’t had Lentil soup often so we thought we would give it a try.

That is just a bowl of warmth right there.

Thinner consistency than I expected, an amazing blend of spices turned a simple lentil into one of he best bowls of soup I’ve had in a long time.

And of course Hummus and bread.

I’m now officially ruined for any commercially produced hummus.

A beautifully creamy texture with a hint of garlic and citrus to brighten up the flavour. Served with a homemade bread for dipping.

That could be a meal all by itself. A delicious one.

Well after all this great food I will definitely have to come back. Next for Friday nights live music. Then breakfast.

9/10

You can find Saray Turkish Cuisine in North Burnaby on Hastings, near Sperling.

You can visit their website here

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In the past I haven’t found it as good as the New Westminster location.

Let’s see if today is any better.

Haddock and chips with gravy.

Really good today!

That’s a decent sized portion of fish and it wasn’t too greasy. Both fish and chips were nice and crispy. Must have been right out of the fryer.

8/10

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So it’s Chinese for Christmas Eve with all the kids. And we are getting the good stuff.

So like a dope I forgot to take any photos, you just got the descriptions today.

Honey Garlic spareribs

Not my favorite dish, though it is better than the sweet and sour version, these were actually quite good. Tender pork with a well balanced honey arlic sauce that I’m sure was made in house. Nothing out of a jar here.

Chicken Chow Mein with Black Bean sauce.

Crispy noodles served with the sauce and chicken on the side for take out for better quality. This is the best way to eat chow mein. The sauce starts to absorb into the noodles and you get a wonderful variation of textures.

Scallops and Prawns with vegetables

It was very good, however when I when I dined it it was prawns and scallops with peas and beans. This time it was broccoli. Ewww. Picked out the seafood though and it’s delicious.

King Pao Chicken.

Probably the best Kung Pao I ever had. Though I didn’t taste Shechuan peppercorns.  Oh so good. And they didn’t cheap out on the peanuts. I’ve seen prettier Kung Paos, but not tastier.

Yang Chow Fried rice

Fried rice with Prawns and pork. As good as it gets for fried rice. A good balance of protein and rice, Too often you see skimpy inclusions.

Other than perhaps the Michelin quality Chinese  restaurant I went to in Vegas a few years back this is the best I’ve had. Period. Giving it a try is a must. Just keep an AED handy for when you get the bill.

9/10

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And Tequila.

Hibiscus Margherita I think.  I do like Jamaica (the drink not the country.)

That’s a very good margarita. Not too strong and it’s very well balanced. Using 1800 doesn’t hurt. That’s good tequila

One of my consistency tests for Mexican restaurants is fish tacos.

Yeah they make one of the better ones around.

Not entirely sure what fish this is exactly but it’s tasty. Love the coleslaw and the Chipotle mayo. Corn tortilla of course.

I do prefer their 4 inch versions. They’re just a bit easier to eat. Fabulous nonetheless.

And lastly I am going to try the Tuna Tartare.

Lots of big chunks of ahi tuna “cooked” in soy sauce with avocado, cucumber, jalapeños and tomatoes. And a good amount of fresh made tortilla chips on the side to eat it with.

I guess they don’t call it ceviche as it doesn’t have tigre de leche but it’s close enough for me.

Whatever it was excellent. It was salty/subtley sweet with lots of textures going on. If I had any complaints it was it was just too much. I don’t need that much food. Maybe a good shareable?

So another excellent meal at La Taqueria Pinché.

Definitely go check it out!

9/10

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