This has been one scorching summer! My electric bill has been through the roof and I for one have been looking for cheaper ways to cool down that don't involve a block of ice and an electric fan. When summer is hottest is also the time when all the innovative Filipino desserts start making their appearances, and Mesclun Bistro is no exception.
Owned by Chef Kat Kuhn-Alcantara, she has partnered up with Arce Dairy - a businesses that her family also owns and operates - to come up with Salamig treats to cool you down and keep you happy.
I hit up Mesclun Bistro at Serendra on especially hot summer afternoon in search of cool libations and a restaurant with their air-conditioner turned way up. After having a minute to compose myself, I turned my attention to the Salamig options and ordered the lot of them to try!
If a devilishly thick and creamy shake is what you're after, the Avocado Milkshake (P195) does not disappoint. Made with Arce Dairy's popular avocado ice cream, this is topped with whipped cream, slivered almonds, honey, and a Belgian waffle to make for an even more delightful drinking experience.
Another very Filipino flavor is Mesclun's Quezo Real Milkshake (P195). Served in a tall glass with quezo de bola shavings, whipped cream, and a Belgian waffle, the cheesy shake was all I needed for memories of a smaller me crowding around the dirty ice cream cart, waiting for my favorite combination of chocolate and cheese in a cone. Ah, that was the life.
Mesclun's Halo-Halo (P245) takes the Pinoy dessert staple to a whole new level, with layers of chopped 'banana cue' bananas, red beans, nata de coco, macapuno, toasted rice crispies, sago, milk ice, and carabao milk on the side topped with Arce Dairy's Langka and Ube ice creams, crispy barquillos and yema for good measure.
Personally, I liked the Ice Cream Sandwich (P165), although it was a bit messy to eat. Pick two ice cream flavors that tickle your fancy, and they"ll roll them around in crushed almonds to give them a bit of character before sandwiching them between dinner rolls and serving them up with strawberry cordial and whipped cream.
When mucking around BGC or Eastwood and feeling faint from the heat, duck into Mesclun and enjoy one (or all!) of Mesclun's Salamig treats! You really can't go wrong with Arce Dairy Ice Cream and Chef Kat's ingenuity for taking something we're all too familiar with and turning it on its head!
Just mucking around Manila,
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Mesclun Bistro
+63 2 954 2100, +63 2 551 1626
Serendra,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Open Daily: 11am - 11pm
