Hanging Out and Tasting the Gelato at Missy Bon Bon
For months, I’ve heard people talk about the bread and pastries of one of the city’s freshest food joints; Missy Bon Bon. Most of what I’ve heard about the place was positive, from the location down to the menu. So, armed with my work and leisure what-have-yous, I decided to go to LimKetKai Mall and spend my Sunday afternoon at Missy Bon Bon.
After strolling around the mall and listening to the Sunday Afternoon mini-concert, I took the East Concourse Route and headed outside. When I got there, I found myself staring at a white semi-glasshouse beneath a tree. It stood out from the exterior mall edifice as the indoor lights glimmered from the windows.
As I stepped inside the bread shop, my sights played with the interior design and the lights. My ears were filled with chitchats from the customers sitting by their tables. The scent of bread baked from the kitchen nearly persuaded my nerves to take the menu and order, before I told myself to focus at the task at hand.
I ordered a Café Latte while waiting for the manager, Ms. Dianne Lim, whom I was to interview. I wanted to sit in one of the tables beneath the glass ceiling, but the area was filled. So I decided to head out to the veranda and stay at the table near the tree trunk. I spent the time observing the place and the people, while basking under the afternoon sun. The waitress arrived with my Café Latte.
I’m not much of a critic in interior and outdoor designs; however, if I have to summarize my first impression of Missy Bon Bon, it was that of a visually aesthetic experience. If any person can spend their time and opened their senses, I can assure them that Missy Bon Bon will have you glued to the place the moment that you first set your eyes on it. I even imagined myself jogging around the mall in the early morning. After a few laps, I would stop by Missy Bon Bon and buy their Steak and Eggs.
After 20 minutes, Ms. Lim arrived and was ready to answer some of my questions about the bread shop. The interview actually turned into a casual conversation. We talked about Missy Bon Bon’s beginnings.
Missy Bon Bon was founded in December 2009. Its owners are the same people who established Bigby’s Restaurant: Henrik Kelly Yu, Joanna Cris Yu and Catherine Genabe. Joanna and Catherine contributed greatly through their background in culinary arts. Ms. Yu studied various styles of pastries in Italy, while Ms. Genabe studied Gelato in the United States. With their combined knowledge and expertise, they came up with Missy Bon Bon, which is a play on “Bon”, the French word for good.
The first venue was located at Robinsons Mall. Initially, it opened as a small booth. In April 2010, it transferred to its current location at the corner of Rosario drive. During its opening, the management offered a promo where the first customer was awarded with a Golden Ticket. The Golden Ticket entitled the winner to a year’s supply of Missy Bon Bon goodies. The idea promo was taken from the concept of the Golden Ticket plot in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Coincidentally, Mikko, a 10-year old kid, won the revered prize. He was the first among hundreds of customers who lined up outside the shop when it first opened. The breadshop was a big hit on its opening day.
As a sister restaurant of Bigby’s, Missy Bon Bon aims to cater to customers looking for a light meal of healthy and tasty cuisines. Missy Bon Bon’s menu is mostly filled with bread and pastries, as well as complete meals the Steak & Eggs breakfast meal served at 7am, the Turkey Waldorf Sandwich & Cream of Spinach Soup lunch meal served at 12:15pm, the Coffee & Sweet Potato Bread served by snack time at 3:30pm, the Chicken Firenze & Tomato-Basil Pasta for dinner, followed by the Sanz Rival Gelato for dessert.
Ms. Lim also informed me that Missy Bon Bon is in the initial stages of their Facebook page contest. As of now, the breadshop has over 2000 fans in their social network account.
Among these fans, the company will select the winner of the best picture, which centers on promoting a great photo of a loyal customer with a Missy Bon Bon product.
After the interview, Ms. Lim offered me a taste of one of their best sellers on the menu, the Sanz Rival Gelato. When the staff gave me a cup, he said confidently, “Ako ra maingon ani sir, lami g’yud kaayo ni.” [All I can say, sir, is that this Gelato is definitely delicious.]
Delicious is not enough to describe my first Missy Bon Bon gelato experience. When the gelato met my tongue, it was a sensation different from any other ice cream I have eaten. It has less sugar, but the flavor and texture is just right. I could savor its real gelato taste, instead of the sugar found in most ice creams. I gave it a perfect score in my dessert list.
Ms. Lim also enumerated Missy Bon Bon’s other bestsellers: the Pizza bread, Fish Curry bread and Tuna bread. She also told me that Missy Bonbon is constantly expanding their menu by experimenting with flavors and ingredients, and serving it to the public after two months.
Missy Bon Bon is definitely the place where you and your family and friends can chill and enjoy fresh, natural and healthy food. For all you health junkies out there, I truly recommend this place.
Finally, we said our goodbyes. As I stepped out of the bread shop, I told myself, “They haven’t seen the last of me.” I left the place with the smile of sweet satisfaction.
Missy Bon Bon is located at the corner of Rosario Drive, Limketkai Center. You can check out their website and their Facebook page. Missy Bon Bon also accepts catering services. You can call them through telephone number 856-6852.
-Mark Anthony Daposala-
