Go (coco)nuts! Share this story with your friends.

COCONUTS HOT SPOT — If there’s anything Wildflour Bakery + Cafe has proven in its two-year existence, it is that nothing can be better than the simplest things done really well. That’s why when owner Ana de Ocampo first mentioned her plans of turning their BGC next-door-neighbor Daude’s former space into a soda fountain shop, people instantly started counting the days to its anticipated opening. Everybody knows it’ll be another sure-to-satisfy hit.
 

This greets you upon entry

The concept of Farmacy is something that’s been simmering in the owners’ minds for quite some time now. “Walter and I have always talked about it,” says Marge Manzke, business partner and sister of Ana. “So it’s a dream come true for us. A dessert bar serving homemade ice cream. That’s the first thing that came to mind when we got the space.”

Husband Walter adds, “We never thought we’d do it in Manila. But the opportunity came here first and we’re happy because it’s actually a great place to do it. The Philippines is very young and young people tend to like ice cream. Plus the climate is perfect for it.”
 
Together with designer Lara Fernandez-Barrios, Walter transformed the space into a beautiful throwback to a time when soda fountains were believed to be medicinal. The duo had already decided on a layout, but when they chanced upon an antique cabinet in a flea market, and immediately fell in love with it, they had to go back to the drawing board and work everything around the wooden cupboard. They wanted to make it the shop’s focal point.

It’s no rainbow-colored ice cream parlor for kids. Instead, The Farmacy has a sophisticated vibe where grown ups will most probably be dragging their children in.
 
The menu is composed of things we love to cool down with the most: ice cream with homemade waffle cones, sodas and syrups, floats, milkshakes, and sundaes like hot fudge and banana split. Spiked milkshakes and espresso are also promised. And there’s the brioche bombolonis to act as the bun to our dirty ice cream.

“We’ll have a couple of pastries. I think maybe four different cookies which you can make sandwiches out of. We’re not going to serve food. At least, for now. We’re going to use the best quality ingredients that we can find. Our approach will be more traditional instead of making weird flavors. Simple done really good,” says Walter, which is something these guys have already mastered.
 

Luscious pineapple sorbet

On the day I visited, I was made to sample their sorbets and was given a scoop each of the watermelon, calamansi, pineapple and chocolate flavors. The first thing I noticed was how much less icy and smoother the texture was compared to the sorbets I’ve had before. The fruit flavors were apparent and not cloyingly sweet. And though it didn’t have cream, it did leave that luscious imprint in the mouth, nothing like a diluted ice candy would. If that’s just a taste of things to come, I’m sure The Farmacy will make cooling down in fashion — with or without city heat.
 
The Farmacy, G/F Net Lima Bldg, 4th Ave cor 26th Sts, BGC, Taguig. It will tentatively open this weekend.

This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila.
 

Go (coco)nuts! Share this story with your friends.