Diamond Hotel's Ensaymada, Pretty Pastries, and Homemade Ice Cream

Starting this blog has been such an awesome ride. Although my resources are limited, the opportunities to sample what could be the topic of the next post appear to be endless. What it requires is being open to possibilities, and this could be simple as saying yes more. When an invitation came my way to join a series of planning meetings at Diamond Hotel, I readily accepted.

If there are two things that Diamond Hotel is known for food-wise, these would be the ensayamda and the delightful confections of its Cake Club. Once the first meeting ended, I trooped to the dark and handsome Lobby Lounge and ordered the bestselling Diamond Ensayamada, which you can see below, was drowning in butter and melted cheese. It was pillow soft and melts in your mouth, with just the right sweetness. I wished that the saltiness of the cheese came through more. There was ube but it was muted by the rich butter. I paired my order with green tea, and allowed my mind to wander. 

I've been to the Bonifacio Global City branch of the Cake Club, and I know I'm in for a treat. You can check my post on that visit here. I ordered Danielle, first, because it was pretty, and, two, it was sugar-free, to assuage my saccharine-overload guilt. The cheesecake component was not overly sweet, and there was enough raspberry to tart the pastry up.

"danielle-white chocolate raspberry sugar-free cheesecake"

I also bought pastry Mont Blanc, which reminded me of an upside down beehive. After scarfing down the humungous ensaymada, I decided to bag the two pastries. I ate one the next day, and kept the other one in the ref for almost a week. Did the Mont Blanc hold up? I was doubtful, but it was still good. It was delicate, not too sweet. My very Pinoy palate detected hints of sweet potato and a lovely, sweeter center of tamarind. Read the caption below. Ang layo! :) 

"mont blanc--made of fresh chestnut paste, chantilly cream,
prunes soaked in dark rum on almond tart"

When it comes to buffets, I need no convincing when it comes to home made ice cream. Pictured below, clockwise from top, are scoops of vanilla, salted caramel, and raspberry. Lately I've been leaning towards butterscotch and caramel, and thus I was sold with the salted caramel. I wasn't keen on vanilla at first but it was the best seller, and now I know why. I's not a one note variant--I sense a touch of mint. It went well with the salted caramel ice cream. 

Diamond Hotel
Roxas Blvd. cor. Dr. J Quintos St
Manila
(+63) 02 528 3000