Do art and ice cream mix? Indeed, they do! Fact is, they make a pretty cool combination. This we were delighted to find out at the recent opening of, yes, Art’s Cream Gallery at Robinsons Place Manila.
The finest designer ice cream is served up like artworks that are too beautiful to eat by well-loved floral architect Rachy Cuna. For instance, if you pick “Blooms” from the many assorted choices on the menu, your ice cream is served in an art-worthy glass that has sugar flowers abloom on top and underneath it. And oh, you’ll love “I Love You” that’s a hearty take on the shape of the heart. Truly delightful is “Towering Delight” that plays on the length of the barquillos to lend drama to this haute art. And wait a “Split Second” as Rachy adds drama to the Banana Split, making you go bananas.
But if you want it all (I do!), you can have it all with “One for All,” a specialty item that offers a heartwarming assortment of ice cream flavors in one giant martini glass. Here’s a toast to the ultimate ice cream indulgence!
The Art’s Cream Gallery is a concept concocted by two brothers — stylist Rachy and bank executive Richie Cuna – who share a passion for good food and fine art. It’s a gallery and café in one eyeful and mouthful of a setting replete with artworks and art objects, and artist renditions of coffee tables and chairs.
Now showing and drawing droves of gallery viewers is this modern bar café in the middle of a bustling mall with its black-and-red color motif and Chinese drumstools designed by Renato Vidal who designs for Casa Armani.
But of course, the masterpieces in this gallery are not just for show. You can have your ice cream and eat it, too.
“We serve only the pure Italian ice cream of Fiorgelato (which has more than 30 outlets in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao),” Rachy is proud to share. “For our flavors, we choose only the best ingredients and the freshest fruits in season like langka, avocado, ube, melon, and mango. We don’t scrimp on the ingredients. Maintaining the freshness of fruits, we use 100-percent cream, with no water added. It’s the original taste of gelato from Italy. People say our ice cream is not too sweet.”
You can order by the cone (P75), by the cup (P100) or “by the drama” (P345). You can eat it plain or with some of those sinful add-ons (that hopefully won’t add to your unwanted pounds) like the sprinkles and the little sugar toppings.
“Every ice cream preparation served at Art’s Cream Gallery has its own style,” Rachy gives us the latest scoop. “Here, ice cream is served with a twist. We trained our own ice cream stylists.”
At Art’s Cream Gallery, wine and ice cream make a heady — and head-turning — mix, too. A cool fave is the Bailey’s ice cream.
Although ice cream is food for an incurable ice cream addict like me, those looking for real food will be happy to know that Art’s Cream Gallery also serves truly filling and palate-tickling pastas and sandwiches, which are the masterpieces of young chef Patrick Cuna and his brother Simon, both foodies.
“We also serve old-style chocolate cake, espresso cake, a lot more cakes, coffees, and floats,” Rachy adds.
Who says art ain’t cool?
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Now showing, Art’s Cream Gallery is located at the ground floor, Midtown wing of Robinsons Place in Ermita, Manila.