The old Magnolia Ice Cream House
Posted on 04-29-10 · Food trips & events Tags: restaurants
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(Updated from an entry posted on February 28, 2005)
Some two weeks ago, we were in the Cubao area and looking for a place to kill time while waiting for offices to open after the lunch break. Speedy suggested Magnolia Ice Cream. If you’re familiar with the history of Magnolia Ice Cream, the business was sold to Nestle some years back.
I don’t know the exact terms of the arrangement but the iconic ice cream parlor along Aurora Boulevard became Nestle property. Still an ice cream parlor with many of the familiar items on the menu but with the Nestle logo. Then, Magnolia put up a small ice cream parlor right across it.
As of today, the Nestle ice cream parlor is no longer there. On the sprawling property, condominium buildings are being constructed. Meanwhile, across the street, the Magnolia ice cream parlor has been expanded.
And it still serves to-die-for peach melba sundae…
… and loaded parfaits.
Below is the original entry posted on February 28, 2005
The Magnolia Ice Cream House along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City was a childhood habit. On most visits, I would order peach melba. My brother preferred banana split. Except for the fruits that went with the ice cream, there really wasn’t much difference between the two. They both had three scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream, garnished with crushed pineapple and strawberry jam, and sprinkled with chopped nuts.
I hadn’t been there for more than a decade. When some friends broached the idea, I agreed with alacrity.
The ice cream house was still in the same building. The ice cream parlor itself had become smaller, however. And it had lost the family-like atmosphere that made it a family hangout years ago. When we went there a week ago, it didn’t seem any different from a fastfood outlet. Crowded. An indoor plastic playground for toddlers. You get the idea.
Well, I forgot my misgivings when our orders arrived. The sandwiches were still prepared only as the orders poured in. Not fastfood-like. Then, there were the new ice cream concoctions. There was something called fruit fluff which rally looked delicious, kit-kat parfait (which my 11-year-old daughter ordered) and some other new things that looked too huge for one person. They all looked good but when I saw the macapuno-pandan medly, I was sure it was what I wanted. My 12-year-old daughter ordered the same thing. Boy, were we glad we did. Imagine the classic buco pandan dessert. Then substitute the buco (coconut) with macapuno (a special variety of sticky coconut), and the all-purpose cream with vanilla ice cream. Add a sprinking of sweet rice crispies on top and what have you? Ice cream heaven!
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Thanks for sharing that! I myself have tried going back there but did not know about that Ice Cream House you’re talking about. I was a Macapuno Cobbler freak then and, left to my own devices, would order the same thing again.
my friends and i would always hang out at the old magnolia ice cream house on saturday nights (how wholesome noh?). this was around 15-20 years ago… the last time i was there, it was newly renovated and my kids had a blast playing at the indoor play area. surprisingly, the food was really good. i remember the cheese sticks, pastas and sandwiches we ordered were all delicious. i like the old location much better than the new one now, though. maybe they can branch out to the malls someday and give icebergs some serious competition.
Of course, if it’s from Connie, it must be good!
Nestle should cut you a check for this one, hehe.
Nah, I trashed Five Cows in another entry hahaha
Ms. Connie,
This entry brings back so many happy childhood memories. I still remember visiting the Magnolia House after shopping at Arcegas and even long after Arcegas closed shop we would still have our ice cream fix.
Soon after, a Magnolia Shop opened in Ali-Mall and The YUM YUM Tree in Rustan’s Cubao also served these marvelous concoctions.
I use to love the Daredevil the Chocolate Parfait and the Peach Cobbler and our weekly shopping/grocery day will not be complete without having our merienda there!
Didn’t know about the ice cream parlor across the street; just saw the old building was already torn down. Thanks for sharing; will drop by there sometime soon.
As an alternative, you might want to try concoctions at Iceberg (or is it Icebergs?). They have many branches but the one we went to last is the one near Quezon Ave, across what used to be Circle Theater.
Icebergs! Haven’t been there in ages. We used to go to the Banawe branch.
i think both the banawe and the quezon ave branches have closed shop already. there is one at timog and they usually have lots of customers.
summer na talaga!
Just found out they have a branch in Megamall, at the Atrium 2nd or 3rd floor yata yun.
you’re right, the bldg was torn down already.. in its place now is Magnolia Residences built by Robinsons ..its a good thing they retained the name of the place
And Timog nga yata yung napuntahan namin; basta it’s near the Kenny Rogers in that area.
My dad used to take us there when we were little. My staple order is a banana split with extra cream. After seeing the peach melba photo on your post, I’m seriously considering going there this very minute. The photo is that powerful!
There is a Magnolia Ice Cream House (yung Magnolia talaga ha? Not the converted Nestle) at the baywalk area behind Mall of Asia. One “Fri-date” a couple of years ago, that was our last stop for the day. We were there at 1am and they were still open! yummmy…. will take photos next time.
Also, there is “The Creamery” at MoA also. Sa other end naman, sa likod din. Near SMX. This one naman is run by Selecta. Haven’t tried it yet, though.