Buzz
As Halloween approaches, Bebe Zito, a boutique ice cream shop in Minneapolis, has crafted a special Hannibal Lecter-themed creation. Known for their inventive "basic flavors" like Vietnamese coffee with bourbon or a mix of Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles, co-owner and pastry chef Ben Spangler aimed to elevate their offerings with something truly extraordinary this season.
Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti
"We were stuck for ideas and ended up watching The Silence of the Lambs," Spangler shared with Mytour. "When Hannibal delivered the iconic line, ‘A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti,’ it sparked an idea for a sweet-savory fudgy mousse."
Spangler and his wife/co-owner, designer Gabriella Grant, crafted Hannibal’s Dinner: an ice cream featuring braised veal brain pieces, foie gras resembling cookie dough, a tangy fava bean cake blend, and a drizzle of caramelized Chianti reduction. “The gastrique is a deep, deep red,” Spangler notes. “It looks straight out of a slasher film.” But how does it taste?
"It’s truly a mind-bending experience due to its intense savoriness,” Spangler explains. “Even as I ate it, I thought, ‘This tastes good, but it’s really messing with my head.’" He describes the foie gras mousse as rich and buttery, while the brain pieces add a salty touch.
"What surprises people most at first isn’t the brain,” Grant shares. “It’s the savory profile, which is more intense than what most are used to. I always warn people it’s on the savory side, so their brains can adjust before fully processing the flavors... The ingredients aren’t strange on their own or in traditional dishes. But they feel out of place in ice cream.”
Despite its unconventional flavor, customers are eager to try it. “You can spot the brain enthusiasts the moment they walk in,” Grant says. “They look excited, stand a little taller, and radiate confidence.”
Beyond Brains
The Cricket | Photo courtesy Bebe ZitoBeyond Hannibal's Dinner, Bebe Zito offers another daring creation: The Grasshopper. This flavor combines mint ice cream with chocolate-covered crickets. Introduced last year, it gained such popularity that it might become a permanent menu item. Grant describes The Grasshopper as “quite mild and far from intimidating” compared to Hannibal's Dinner.
Since launching Bebe Zito in July 2020, Spangler and Grant have aimed to introduce customers to “foods enjoyed globally but deemed unusual or unsettling to the average American palate.” They’ve rolled out what they call “gateway flavors,” such as Mushroom Pecan and Vanilla MSG. Grant explains the intent is to encourage customers to think, “If Bebe’s serving it, we can trust it won’t be unpleasant.”
Other seasonal Halloween offerings at Bebe Zito include Children of the Corn Chip; redruM, inspired by The Shining, complete with “bloody” strawberry sauce and served with an axe; and Beetlejuice, featuring grape Nerds reduction, Ecto Cooler topping, and coconut-cocoa ice cream bases—all vegan and gluten-free. They’re also hosting a Squid Game Dalgona candy challenge (without the lethal stakes). “You want to attract horror fans while still appealing to the broader Halloween crowd,” Grant says.
Hannibal Lecter famously remarked, “It is essential to embrace new experiences,” while serving Ray Liotta’s brain pieces to a young diner. The creators of Bebe Zito undoubtedly share this philosophy.
