MY NEW FAVORITE PLACE: MILK+HONEY (COSTA MESA, CA)

I have a soft spot for Costa Mesa, not just because of South Coast Plaza (my version of Disneyland), but also that area west of it with the Japanese groceries and restaurants, as well as The Lab and The Camp. After living in Orange County for nine years now, I still miss Los Angeles and often think of moving back to my old stomping grounds, when just stepping outside my door brought a promise of some kind of adventure.

But for now, Costa Mesa is the nearest thing to what I miss about LA. It's young and hip, sometimes edgy; it's multi-ethnic and even has stirrings of culture, thanks to the new Orange County Performing Arts Center. And now it has one of my favorite hangouts this summer -- Milk + Honey, located in the aforementioned Camp center. It's this little oasis on an otherwise ugly corner of Bristol and Baker. It's pretty as a postcard thanks to its artsy yet homey decor and friendly, attractive staff. There's not much seating inside -- just a few barstools and a cozy spot for two beside the counter. But there's no reason to stay indoors when just a few steps away is a lovely, absolutely charming outdoor patio I could spend all afternoon in, complete with crunchy gravel flooring, a relaxing wall fountain, and well-chosen potted plants and vines eager to trail along the walls and iron frames.

But wait. It's the shaved ice that keeps me coming back. Based on the Japanese frozen treat Kakigori, Milk+Honey offers yummy flavors like strawberry, passionfruit, lime, and mango, for starters. Their modern version is sweetened with a bit of milk and honey, and for cents more you can add toppings like a variety of fruits and nuts or even carob or yogurt chips, and cookie dough or cheesecake bits. I'm addicted to the current shaved ice special: it starts off with a couple of dollops of frozen yogurt, then strawberry syrup is poured over the ice, and finally it's generously topped with slices of strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and bits of mochi balls and red azuki bean. All my favorite things in a cup for less than five bucks -- how can I resist?

I love this concoction so much that I haven't yet tried the store's other offerings: frozen yogurt, organic teas and coffees, blended drinks like java and tea coolers and fruit smoothies. For hungrier customers there are also brownie and blondie bars, as well as a variety of scones and other pastries. I could seriously wrap my arms around this tiny oasis of delights and stick it in my pocket. Each visit so far has been an adventure for my senses, and always a pleasant, refreshing experience.

Milk + Honey
2981 Bristol St # B6 (inside The Camp)
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714) 708-0092

*Photo courtesy of Yelp.com.

Comments

[buns]

ate, i remember eating something like this in mnl 2yrs ago. cannot remember the name of the place in G4 or Pioneer Robinsons (i only had the fruits..dont think they had the mochi balls and the yogurt though). but it was Yummmmmmmm.

[Rick]

Wow. Gentrified halo-halo? :-)

[ana5678]

Sounds edible enough, Gigi. But where's the gooey, buttery dollops of ube, swirls of melt-in-your-mouth macapuno, exotic ribbons of luscious langka, sticky slices of succulent saba, enveloped in extra creamy evaporada and topped with leche flan so densely sweet and transcendent, you can't help but close your eyes and sigh. Sandosenang Sarap indeed!

[Gigi]

Buns - when you visit I'll bring you. :)

Rick - Yes, you certainly can call it that!

Ana5678 - Uy, with that kind of description you'd better take me to a place that actually serves it that way when I go home ha (without the langka)!

[ana5678]

It's a deal! You don't like langka?!

[buns]

i will visit christmas time! :-)

[Gigi]

Ana5678 - No I don't like langka (don't know why). There's not much I don't like food-wise but here's the definitive list: langka (and durian, which to me is the extreme version of it), water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and celery (unless it's minced really tiny so I can't really taste it anymore. (And yes, celery has a taste!)

Buns - Yaaay! I went there again today and also tried their lychee frozen yogurt. Yummy... :)

[Besfren]

Buns: Is the place in Manila called Ice Monster?

Rsna