Tag: Magnum

Magnum Manila’s pop-up store says goodbye with a brand new menu

Posted on by jane

You know that feeling when something you know is bound to come to an end actually comes to an end?

It was a day of mixed emotions for all of us at the media event. We recalled how, just over a year ago, we were in this same place celebrating the opening of Magnum Manila‘s pop-up store, enjoying the menu prepared for us by Chef Him Uy de Baron as well as the chocolate creations by award-winning pastry chef Miko Aspiras. And now this same group gathered once more to bid goodbye to Magnum Manila as it prepares to close its doors on July 26, 2015.

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Magnum Manila’s Premium Pop-Up Store Opens at SM Aura

Posted on by jane

It’s here! And only for a while – to be specific, ONE YEAR!

Just as they’ve done in premium locations around the world, Magnum, that velvety smooth ice cream with Belgian chocolate in one decadent bar, has put up a pop-up store right in the heart of cosmopolitan Metro Manila — SM Aura.

It opened to the public last April 8 and is expected to be around only till April 2015. Some of us were treated to their soft launch where we got a gastronomic glimpse of what’s in store for the public when you pay them a visit. And mind you, they don’t just call it a pop-up store. They refer to it as a “Pleasure Store”. Read on and find out why.

As soon as you walk in you are greeted by a luxurious restaurant. Yes, this is not your kind of ice cream bar but a full-blown restaurant complete with full meals!

Magnum logo — Can you guess what it’s made of?

You guessed it — their pop sticks!!!

The Make-Your-Own-Magnum bar greets you right at the entrance

Architect Ed Calma is responsible for Magnum Manila’s sleek, modern architecture

At the Make-Your-Own-Magnum-Bar, they’ve got 18 toppings to choose from:

Classic: chopped salted almonds, pistachio, dried mangoes, chocolate chip cookies, oreos, pretzels and mini marshmallows

Special: Honeycomb, gold nuggets, yogurt nibs, premium chocolate crunch balls, Speculoos bits, freeze-dried raspberries

Experimental: Parmesan popcorn, salted potato chips, shaved queso de bola, chili flakes, sea salt flakes

I couldn’t imagine what chili flakes would taste like on my Magnum bar so I skipped that (but some daring bloggers went for it!).

Making my own Magnum bar was really cool.

Step One: Choose your toppings (I chose pistachio, gold nuggets and freeze-dried raspberries)

Step Two: Open up a plain Magnum bar and choose your coating (vanilla, caramel or chocolate).

Tear open plain Magnum bar…

…and dip in your coating of choice. Mine was chocolate!

Step Three: Pour selected toppings over the coated Magnum bar.

Step Four: For the final touch, add a round chocolate button with the Magnum logo

Voila! I had my very own custom-made Magnum bar!

But wait till you try their menu for a sit-down lunch or dinner as well as their dessert concoctions. Chef Him Uy de Baron, owner of Nomama and executive chef of Chef Cuisine, created Magnum Manila’s main dishes while Chef Miko Aspiras, an award-winning pastry chef in global competitions, created all the wonderfully delectable Magnum dessert items. Here are some samples.

Rainbow Dream, PhP 250
White chocolate covered vanilla Magnum bar covered in rainbow cake crumble
on a slice of cream cheese rainbow cake
Cookie Dough Skillet, PhP 250
Warm chocolate chip cookie dough
topped with 2 vanilla Magnum bars, dark chocolate and chopped pecans

Go try Magnum Manila and hurry because they are only here for a limited time. I want to go back and bring the kids so we can all sample the dessert items that I could only ogle after a full meal c/o Chef Him Uy.

Magnum Manila is located at the 5th level of SM Aura’s SkyPark Dining area.

Follow Magnum Manila:
Websites: www.magnum.com.ph and www.makemymagnum.com
Twitter: @magnum_ph
Instagram: @magnum_ph

Magnum Ice Cream indulgence is in town!

Posted on by jane

I was about to start this post with a description of the ice cream being launched but last night, as I was typing away, my older son came into the room. He saw the press kit beside me with an M logo on the front and he immediately exclaimed, “Hey, Magnum!” That was when I remembered why this brand of ice cream sounded familiar.

Two years ago. My son and some of his schoolmates had just come home from several weeks in China on a school-sponsored overseas program. Over the next few days, as he continued regaling us with stories of their adventures, one thing stood out. He and his friends had discovered a favorite comfort food during those days away from family and school – Magnum Ice Cream.

Of course, it was natural for me to be excited when the recent event I was invited to turned out to be the launch of this very brand in the Philippines!

The newly launched Magnum Ice Cream is a smooth and creamy ice cream bar coated with a thick layer of Belgian chocolate. It comes in 3 variants – Classic, Almond and Truffle. Belgian chocolate is one of the best worldwide. All other chocolates are usually measured against this gourmet standard. When you hear of a Belgian chocolatier, you know that person adheres to traditional techniques and uses the best quality ingredients. Most expensive and luxurious chocolates in the market use Belgian chocolate.

What is an ice cream launch without a taste test? Of course, everyone got a chance to try out all the Magnum Ice Cream variants. I did not have room in my tummy for them all so I just chose Almond.

Here we go…
Lots of almonds! Yum, yum, yum…

You can tell when an ice cream bar’s chocolate layer is well made. When you bite into it, the chocolate covering does not crumble all over, dripping you with chocolate and vanilla goo all over. Instead, you hear what they call the signature crack. A piece of Belgian chocolate enters your mouth first, followed by a smooth and creamy vanilla ice cream filling. That’s exactly how I describe my first Magnum experience.

Maybe you’re thinking that because it has Belgian chocolate, it is expensive. Surprise, surprise. Each ice cream bar will only cost PhP 50! And it will be distributed in supermarkets and retail stores, including 7-Eleven.

The 3 Magnum variants being introduced

Magnum Ice Cream is a collaborative effort between Unilever (Magnum is its biggest global brand) and RFM, the company behind the Selecta ice cream brand. RFM and Unilever said that they really worked hard to make this brand available to everyone at an affordable price. I found out that it’s very popular in European and Asian countries where it has a presence. Known Hollywood celebrities have endorsed it such as Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes, Ivanka Trump and Rachel Bilson. At the launch, we were introduced to Magnum’s local brand ambassadors that include Liz Uy, Solenn Heusaff (endorser), Rajo Laurel, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Erwan Heusaff and Raymond Gutierrez.

Some of Magnum’s brand ambassadors

My son and his friends will probably be some of the happiest boys now that their favorite comfort food in China is available locally. And those of you have have tried Magnum during your trips abroad can now have it any time you want without having to go out of the country.

As for me, I am looking forward this weekend to trying the Classic and Truffle variants in my freezer before deciding which one is my favorite flavor.