Groupies of Ray Labuen who have followed him for decades from The Belvedere Coffee Shop to Doc Taylor’s and beyond are as ecstatic as he is that the deft chef finally has a place of his own: Ray Ray’s in the former Mayflower Café on 34th Street at the Oceanfront.
He’s amplified the breakfasts and lunches he’s revered for—omelets, bennies, burgers—with arepas (serving them with lox, stuffing them with barbecue) and ube pancakes, and he’s upgraded his signature Ray Ray, called an eye-opener in some circles, piling two eggs, bacon, chorizo, country ham and grilled Parmesan tomatoes on a croissant. Eyes still shut? Try mimosas, Bloody Marys, screwdrivers and greyhounds. They’ll have you exclaiming Ray Ray’s catchphrase: “Pahk!”
209 34th St., Virginia Beach. 757-937-3946
Marisa Marsey
Marisa Marsey is a food, beverage and travel writer whose awards include 1st place Food Writing from the Virginia Press Association. A Johnson & Wales University representative, she has sipped Château d'Yquem '75 with Jean-Louis Palladin, sherpa-ed for Edna Lewis and savored interviews with Wolfgang Puck and Patrick O’Connell.
