There was pleasure to be had. With just over two weeks left before Yorkville says farewell to the Magnum Pleasure Store, I was thrilled to be invited to a Media Preview of the Shop this morning. In attendance today was none other than amazing Celebrity Chef, Mark McEwan, Head Judge of Top Chef Canada and the Man behind two of Toronto’s finest Restaurants, ONE and North 44. And have you visited his super-upscale McEwan Fine Foods at Shops at Don Mills? It is Culinary Heaven.
“I wasn’t sure what I was walking into when I was told I’d be coming to the Magnum Pleasure Store“, he jokes about the Pop-Up Shop which bears the same name as a popular Prophylactic. Although McEwan was a bit heavy-handed with the Chili Flakes the first time around – just one of 21 toppings available for customizable Ice Cream Bars – he seemed to have found his balance upon attempt number two, opting for Vanilla Ice Cream dipped in Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Chili Flakes and Sea Salt, dressed in a light White Chocolate Drizzle. “I chose from a classic standpoint with some Italian and French flavours”, he says.
Although I spot the Scotsman, his lovely Wife Roxanne and their adorable Dog Ruthie often in Yorkville (she and Billy having exchanged greetings many a time) it was nice having a proper chat with him today discussing Dogs and Ice Cream. Last time I spoke to McEwan, he was strict on not feeding Ruthie Human food, but it appears he’s budged a bit on the matter, occasionally giving her meat as a treat. I didn’t even go into Billy‘s all-human-grade food diet!
What’s in a Mr. Will Ice Cream Bar, you ask? I devoured my Vanilla Ice Cream Bar dipped in Dark Chocolate and coated with crushed Parisian Macarons, Dried Strawberries, Coconut and Rose Petals, with a light White Chocolate Drizzle. It was beautiful to both the eye and palate!
Actor Joe Manganiello was in Toronto just last week to launch the Shop. More on that here. Word is, he opted for Maple and Bacon toppings on his Ice Cream Bar, paying homage to our national flavours! Hockey Star Joffrey Lupul is expected to visit the Shop soon, as are Fashion Designers Greta Constantine.
See more Snaps:
See the handsome Reid prepare our own customized Magnum Ice Cream Bar below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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