Overview
The Night Noodle Markets are nearly upon us and Gelato Messina is preparing to wow Melburnians once again with its newest creations. Perhaps it was its recent Sydney collaboration with Hoy Pinoy that did it, because this year's menu is full on Filipino.
Messina's Filipino Jeepney food truck dishes will be available exclusively at the Melbourne markets from November 8–25. Expect the Southeast Asian country's most popular desserts to get the good ol' Messina treatment, starting with the 'Allo 'Allo! — a take on the shaved-iced hallo hallo, which combines leche flan with caramel-flavoured shaved ice, syrup and sauce, all topped with toasted milk crumb and dulce de leche gelato.
The truck is is also bringing back a 2016 favourite under the guise of a different name — Thrilla from Manila is a take on turron, which in this case is filo-pastry wrapped and deep-fried brown sugar and banana gelato, mixed with bits of banana bread and topped with custard and chocolate peanut butter crumb.
If you're more into fruity desserts, The Jolli P (a nod to fast-food chain Jollibee) is a mango and peach jelly-filled concoction with whipped cream and graham cracker crumb toppings. Handheld dessert lovers are covered too with the Brazo de Messina, an ice cream sandwich of pandan gelato, baked meringue and condensed milk custard, all layered with a graham cracker crust.
The Night Noodle Markets run from November 8–25 at Birrarung Marr.