I suck at Math, but I know that it is simply impossible.
250,000 combinations in 365 days?
That would require eating 684 Magnum bars a day, or inviting all of my 2500 Facebook Friends to 100 days of ice cream bliss.
While I don’t think anyone would be able to try out all the possible combinations of toppings, drizzle and dips at the newly-opened Magnum Manila Pleasure Cafe at the SM Aura, I am pretty much certain that it would be the most sought after destination for those who want to escape the summer heat.
Pleasure Spots
Since it launched in Manila two years ago, Magnum has become the name (and ice cream) on everybody’s lips—as if you’ve never tasted great ice cream until you’ve tried a Magnum bar. It redefined how Filipinos appreciated ice cream with its luxurious taste of velvety ice cream and real Belgian chocolate brought together in one smooth, decadent bar.
This year, the Golden age of Magnum not only excites everybody with a massive launch of the Magnum Gold, but also gives its fans the ultimate brand experience by taking them into what they call Magnum Manila.
These special pop-up stores called Magnum Pleasure Stores have been the most awaited ice cream experience worldwide. With its unique design and its wide array of tasty dishes, Magnum Pleasure Stores have become a go-to hotspot in its respective host cities – from Milan and Cannes to New York and London.
In the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Bangkok, Singapore and several other countries, the stores are flagships of a product pursuant to pleasure, and the celebration of Belgian chocolate. Similar to ripping off the wrapper of a Magnum ice cream bar, the stores explore and present possibilities that are lavished in chocolate, but Belgian of course, then scattered with an imagination’s worth of toppings.
Why “Pleasure Store”? Because that is exactly what it is. Though each store varies in size, shape, and design, what binds them together is the most exciting part of all. Magnum Manila will afford customers the chance to create their very own Magnum bar—but more on that later.
As soon as you enter the café you’ll immediately notice the giant “M” made out of Magnum sticks and the ultra-modern and sleek creation of architect Ed Calma before being greeted by the sweet-smiling staff wearing shirts that proclaim the brand’s core message– Pleasure Maker.
Menu Magnifique
Because it’s never fun to eat ice cream on an empty stomach, Magnum Manila readies a menu of savory dishes created in collaboration with Chef Him Uy de Baron, the executive chef of Chef Cuisine catering and owner of Nomama.
For starters, kids will surely love the Cajun-Spiced Chicken Poppers with BACON gravy; there’s also Beer-battered Onion Rings served with sriracha mayo; Bacon and Garlic Parmesan Fries; Whipped Ricotta Crostini with paprika and grated Belgian chocolate; Truffled Mushroom Crostini; Seared Tuna Crostini with tomato jam balsalmic reduction and Japanese Mayo; or the Three-way Crostini.
There are a couple of Soup choices such as the Truffled Mushroom Soup and Roasted Kabocha Pumpkin soup and three Salad choices- the Asian steak salad (with grilled ribeye steak); Cocoa Rubbed chicken Salad; and the tossed Arugula Salad which has candied walnuts and shaved parmesan and raspberry balsamic dressing.
Craving for a BIG BITE? Sandwich choices begin with the Magnum Burger (Wagyu Beef Patty in Brioche Bun); Mushroom Burger, Wagyu Beef Patty with stir fry mushrooms in Brioche Bun); Breakfast Burger (Wagyu Beef Patty with fried egg, cocoa bacon in brioche with garlic aioli; Mushroom Croque Madame (Ham and cheese sandwich with sautéed mushrooms, béchamel sauce, fried egg served with salad).
Because I was feeling adventurous, I tried the Wasabi Teriyaki Tori Karaage Sandwich—deep fried chicken breast with Japanese slaw in brioche bun. But I’ve been hearing that the Croque Madame is a must try as well!
From its looks alone, the most tempting pasta choice would be Magnum Bolognese but you should also try the Carbonara with cocoa-rubbed BACON and topped with sous vide egg, which makes it even more creamy. For those who want seafood, there’s Vongole with fresh clams white wine and cherry tomatoes.
Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek. Just saying that a couple of times is enough to make your mouth water, right? Add to the Main Entrée choices are the grilled rib-eye steak with Umami butter; Cocoa Rubbed Chicken and the Pan seared Salmon with Tomato Chorizo Confit and mashed potatoes.
Here’s a friendly suggestion, Share! Each dish is fairly good enough for two and because you really, really need to save room for dessertsssss! You are here for the Magnum experience remember?
My Savory Magnum: The Crazy Edy!
Now head over to the Pleasure Bar and start creating your very own Magnum experience.
At the make-your-own-Magnum bar, you can create and personalize your own Magnum ice cream bar by picking 3 from 18 different toppings ranging from classic add-ons like almonds and crushed chocolate chip cookies to more trendy items like nerds, pretzels, potato chips and sea salt.
First choose between a Magnum vanilla or chocolate bar which will serve as your base. I opted for vanilla and asked my “Pleasure Maker” to suggest a really weird combination.
I saw some chili flakes and asked her what other toppings would go best with something spicy. She suggested some queso de bola and popcorn—Nice. After a couple of “Gold” dips she then put on the toppings and drizzled some white chocolate before putting the Magnum Coin and we were done!
It was fantastic! I was actually sweating with each bite because of the ongoing battle between the spiciness of chili and the cold vanilla ice cream! The queso de bola complemented the chocolate giving it a little salty caramel taste.
Unless you are really looking for a massive sugar rush and chocolate overload, I would suggest you go add something unique like nuts, some frozen raspberries or crunchy honeycomb. Be courageous!
Oh and did I mention that creating your own personalized Magnum is just PHP 100.00!
Desserts and more happy endings
As if the 250,000 combinations aren’t enough, multi-awarded pastry chef Miko Aspiras also lent his sweet imagination to Magnum Café’s plated desserts. The Signature Combinations include Magnum Cafe Red Velvet, Magnum Cafe Apple Pie, the colourfully delicious Pink Friday (I think I saw Nicki Minaj after my first bite!) and the one dish I regret not being able to try because I was already sooo full– the Cookie Skillet Pie.
Well, just one of the 249,990 more reasons left for me to come back again, and again.
Magnum Manila is located at the 5/F Sky Park, SM Aura Premier McKinley Parkway corner 26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
