FREEZER BURN'S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FLAVORS!

   

            With the Yuletide season upon us, Rockstar Chef, Miko Aspiras uses this time to get his creative juices flowing in his highly successful Ice Cream Parlor, Freezer Burn. Looking to innovate more flavors, Chef Miko developed a Christmas themed composed Ice Cream line that would make Santa himself want to stop over in the middle of delivering gifts, just for a scoop! 

FEEL THE FREEZER BURN

        I've been a fan of Chef Miko Aspiras since his days in Fairmont Hotel. He created a collection of Macarons, with the most insane flavors known to man, yet he found a way to ensure it was absolutely delicious. So anything that he is involved in usually has my attention. 

     I've seen what he's done with cookies and cakes, but this time I was excited to see what wonders he could make when he delves into the wonderful world of Ice Cream, as he launched his newest concept, called "Freezer Burn". 

FARMACY ICE CREAM & SODA FOUNTAIN: THE PRESCRIPTION FOR ICE CREAM AWESOMENESS!

          I've always found the concept of a "Drugstore" an intriguing piece of classic Americana. Let's face it, to us Filipinos, the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of a "drug store" is Mercury, right? Well, back in the late 1800's to the early 1900's, a Drugstore was more associated with Soda Fountains than an actual Pharmacy. I'm a assuming the mixing of the chemicals and syrups to make your carbonated soda was once thought to be best left in the hands of the Pharmacist, who in turn employs a "Soda Jerk" to take care of your drinking needs. The Drugstore pretty much involved into an ice cream parlor as well, and became a very popular hangout, especially for the teen crowd.  

        A new restaurant in Bonifacio Global City opened recently, that gives us Pinoys a glimpse of what it may have been like to enjoy a nice Chocolate Fudge Sundae under the summer sun back in the day. 

       One lovely Sunday afternoon, Rina and I took Baby Rain to Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain, to experience the vibe of an old school Ice Cream parlor, but it turns out it was us who ended up feeling like kids again! 

SEBASTIAN'S ALA MODE BARS AND FRUITCICLES!

     Over the course of the past few years, I've noticed that purveyors in the country have become more and more daring when it comes to their ice cream flavors. 

       One in particular, gets a gold star from me when it comes to- not just coming up with unorthodox flavors, but out of the box concepts with ice cream as well. Sebastian's has taught me that there's so much more you could do with ice cream, apart from just scooping it into your mouth (Which I do quite masterfully, might I add). 

     And for the summer, they're going to unleash some new treats that you will most definitely go crazy for.. Sebastian's Fruitcicles and Ala Mode Bars!

    So this is the day that I ate 16 bars of Ice Cream.

MAD MARK'S: THE MADNESS CONTINUES AT GLORIETTA 5

            My first visit to Mad Mark's was a memorable one. You throw in a Beef and Chicken Sandwich in front of me the size of a battleship, and yes, that will definitely leave a mark in my memory for ages to come. Although the first branch had a cool, hole-in-the-wall vibe to it, the popularity of Mad Mark's food made it impossible for their progress to remain stagnant. Considering its fan base, it was only a matter of time that Mad Mark's would expand, and go to a more mainstream venue. 

   

    

  Sometime in October, the inevitable happened.. Mad Mark's opened their second branch at Glorietta 5 in Makati. I always knew that they would go mainstream, but I didn't think they would go THAT mainstream hehe. 

       Agent Smith said it best:

          

DELICIOUS ICE CREAM, IS JUST A COLD STONE AWAY! - RINAZ

          What could be more perfect this summer than an awesome ice cream place opening at the heart of The Fort? Nothing!!!

          Cold Stone Creamery is a premium ice cream brand that serves fresh, smooth, and creamy ice cream with an outstanding and wide variety of flavors you wouldn't believe. Their ice creams have a special formulation of premium milk, cream, and buttermilk fat. (Sounds good already!) It originated in Scottsdale, Arizona and is now here in Manila!

          What's special about Cold Stone is the customer's ability to customize their own ice cream. To give you an idea on how many possible concoctions you can create with Cold Stone Creamery, They have:

22 fresh flavors of ice cream and sorbet made fresh every day.

10 kinds of candy toppings

2 types of Nuts

8 types of fruits

9 other sinfully good toppings

To be more specific, here is a list of their Ice cream Flavors and list of Mix-Ins they currently have:

I can imagine your heads exploding with delight hehehe! The possibilities are really endless!

          You can choose from different cup sizes. I like how they named their sizes.

Waffle Cone

Waffle Bowl

          You can also have it on a waffle. From plain waffle cone / bowl (P35) , to coated waffle cone / bowl (P45).

          The customer chooses their ice cream / sorbet and mix ins. And then the crew mashes them together on a granite stone chilled to 16 degrees Fahrenheit and places it in the cup or waffle. Then presents it to you with a smile!

Two thumbs up!

          So anyway, I fell in line to order and thought of what flavor and mixes I can create. But once I saw the list of their signature creations, I was baffled! It made me want to try it all first before I attempted to create my own. It's like Sophie's Choice! So hard to choose!

          Get what I mean? They serve a variety of Signature Creations. And the ones mentioned in the two photos above is not the complete list. I'll show you later the complete menu.

I got an All Lovin', No Oven!

          I had the All Lovin' No Oven in a Like It size (P180). Forgive my melted photo. It was really a hot day and we were seated outside so it was perfect for me (not for my pictures hehe). It's made of cake batter ice cream, with cookie dough, fudge, and whipped cream. It really screams comfort ice cream! If you have a sweet tooth you will really love this.  But personally the cookie dough chunks were too sweet for me. But that's just me. But the Cake Batter ice cream was perfect!

My friend Gerry's Dark Chocolate with brownies!

          I was also able to try their Dark Chocolate with brownies. Actually it was my friend Gerry who tried it and I just took a bite hehe. I was so full from my All Lovin' No Oven. It was really good! I love dark chocolate and I looove brownies!

And of course where there is ice cream, there are shakes and smoothies!

          And signature ice cream cakes! Oh my! Any birthday with a Cold Stone Cake is a happy Birthday indeed! The launching of the store was jam-packed that I totally forgot to take photos of the interiors. There was a lot going on!

          Video interview of the President of Cold Stone Creamery, Mr. Michael McGill. (Bless you kind sir for bringing your product here in Manila!)

Cold Stone Philippine Crew doing a little cheer outside

          The staff can also do some barista moves where in they throw a scoop of ice cream in the air and another staff catches it with a cup. I had a hard time taking a video of it because every I saw it, it's already in mid air hahaha!

          Unfortunately, me and my friend had to leave for a dinner event. But I would definitely love to go back with Richie and Rain for a refreshing family day at Cold Stone! :-)

COLD STONE Menu, prices, and other amazing flavors!:

Grab a cup today!!! ;-)

Cold Stone Creamery is located at Serendra, Bonifacio Global city, Taguig City, 1634.

Follow them!

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest : coldstoneph
Official Website: www.coldstonephilippines.com
Tel. No. : 846-0460

THERE'S GELATO, AND THERE'S BONO ARTISANAL GELATO

             I'm an ice cream guy, through and through. There's nothing like a refreshing scoop of Ice Cream to help beat the Philippine heat. Whether it's a simple Pinipig Crunch or a bar of Magnum, papatulan ko yan. 

        I've been quite pleased with the Gelato places that have been popping up around the metro. I do have a few favorites that I would go to whenever I get the chance. I honestly felt that these Gelato makers were easily among the best I've ever tried. Whenever someone would ask me where to get some good ice cream, I would rattle off names of Gelato places and the flavors that they should get without batting an eyelash. 

        That was until I visited Bono Artisanal Gelato and realized everything I thought I knew about Gelato was wrong. 

MOCHIKO POTATO CHOCOLATE CHIP: A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE MADE EVEN MORE UNIQUE!

        The first time I tried Mochiko Ice Cream was at Mercato Centrale a few years ago. It instantly became a favorite for Rina and I, and for as long as we pass by a stall, its very likely that one would be purchased. 

        During the holiday season, I received a gift that I just had to share with you all. This was a Mochiko, but unlike any other I had tried before (and I've tried a lot, believe me). This was a box of their newest flavor, the Potato Chip Chocolate Mochi.

AND THE WINNERS OF MERRY MOO PINTS ARE..

            Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in my Merry Moo Giveaway! Five lucky winners are going to receive one pint of their favorite flavor each! 


        Wondering if you won? Read on to find out!

THE PICKIEST EATER'S ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY #7: MERRY MOO ARTISAN ICE CREAM!

          Something I never really outgrew was my love for Ice Cream. Even at my age right now, whenever I see a stall, or Ice Cream in the menu.. Whether it's a Pie Ala Mode, A Frozen Ice Cream cake, or even just a simple scoop, you can be assured that I'll have my eyes on it. Sundaes, Parfaits, Milkshakes.. You name it, I love it. 

      One of my favorite discoveries during our many trips to Mercato Centrale, is without a shadow of a doubt, "Merry Moo: Artisan Ice Cream". If you think this is just your average-ordinary-run-of-the-mill ice cream maker that features common flavors, such as Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry, you're in for a big surprise. 

       Merry Moo's carousel of flavors actually borders closer to the insane than the mundane. 

COOLING DOWN AT SWENSEN'S

                Last weekend, Rina, my brother, my cousin Neil and I trooped over to Eastwood so I could finally watch The Avengers. A movie like The Avengers is something that I would normally watch on the first showing of the first day, however since Rain's Yaya hasn't isn't back from her vacation, we had to nix that idea (Word of advice: In the future, check movie schedules before allowing your daughter's Yaya to go on leave). 


          I wanted to make it a special, relaxing experience for Rina because she's been so stressed out at work and taking care of Rain by herself while I'm at work, so I got her tickets to the Ultra Theater, which is famous for it's comfortable Lazy Boy Chairs. Since it was a blockbuster movie, we got there by 10:30am to get the tickets for the 2:30pm showing, which gave us enough time to eat and go around the mall without feeling rushed.


       2:20pm came along and we made our way to the Ultra Cinema Lobby, only to find out that the cinema kept going through power fluctuations, so they cancelled our viewing. If we wanted to watch, they would give us a refund but we would have to line up once again to get new seats at the other Eastwood mall..defeating the purpose of going to the mall at 10:30am. we ended up missing the 3:30pm showing, and had to wait for the next one at 5:30pm. 


      As you can imagine, I was pissed off. What was supposed to be a relaxing day out for Rina turned into us walking around the mall for seven hours just to wait for a movie!


     Whilst we were waiting for the 5:30pm showing, Rina found out that the international Ice Cream Parlor, "Swensen's" was having their soft opening that day as well. Since I was in a serious need of "cooling off', I thought with how I was feeling, some Ice cream would be absolutely perfect.