As much as I would like to, I can’t really fly away to Paris every time I feel an itch for a macaron. So I have to find somewhere to get them from that won’t require a plane ticket and a visa.
And that’s where Bar Dolci comes in. I’ve been reading a lot of good things about them since they’ve opened but have been reluctant to try their macarons. Not just theirs, actually, but macarons in Manila in general. Because, once you’ve had the best in the world, can you really have anything else?… Well it turns out, I can. Who am I kidding? If anything, my hankering for half-decent macarons has even made me more determined to find a suitable alternative here in Manila, if only to tide me over until I can get to Hong Kong or NYC. And so last night, since I was in the area anyway, I walked through the rain (yes, it’s a little sad how far I would for sweets) to get me some macarons.
The usual suspects: Coffee, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Pistachio plus Strawberry
I’ve been burned by reviews before where a macaron is called the “best in Manila” and then turn out to be little round mounds of mushy cardboard (I’m not naming names), so I didn’t want to get my hopes up for Bar Dolci. Thank goodness, no mushy cardboard here.
The biscuit is a little chewier than I would like, but I’m giving Bar Dolci a pass on that. At least it’s not dry as a pasencia biscuit (again, I’m not naming names). The texture of the cookie is tough enough to perfect, even in Paris. In Manila, there are altitude and humidity issues to deal with… so again, free pass.
No free pass on the filling, though. And for their chocolate macaron, Bar Dolci doesn’t need it. Rich, thick, dark and… well… almost perfect. Almost because I would prefer my chocolate darker, a little more bitter. But other than that, I have to say Bar Dolci’s chocolate macaron is pretty top notch.
I wish I could say the same about their salted caramel macaron, I really, really do. You know how much I love this flavor and I would be the happiest girl in the world if there was a suitable substitute to Pierre Hermé’s caramel & salted butter macarons in Manila… but Bar Dolci’s macarons aren’t it. It lacks… everything. There’s not enough caramel, there’s not enough saltiness. And it’s such a shame since, flavor-wise, I think Bar Dolci are on track, but I think they need to just multiply everything by 10. The amount of the filling (ok, not by 10), the caramel, the salt. Just dial things up a notch, Bar Dolci… pleeeeease… For my caramel and salted butter-deprived self… pleeeeeease…
Bar Dolci is located at F133 Forbeswood Heights, corner Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City