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Category: Buffet

  • Review of The Alley by Vikings (U.P. Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City)

    Review of The Alley by Vikings (U.P. Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City)

    The word “food hall” usually brings to mind the same-old joints in food courts and in food parks. Not anymore. The Alley by Vikings makes the concept of a food hall far more ambitious, taking in fine chefs, artisans and purveyors in town. We should definitely have tried this earlier!

    I first got intrigue after watching PopTalk’s feature on The Alley as the first eat-and-drink-all-you-can food hall in the Philippines. This newest addition to the Vikings family offers something for everyone (Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, American, Thai, etc.) with 14 food stalls each one serving a unique specialty. It was the perfect place to celebrate our parents’ wedding anniversary this year. We stayed there for four hours of non-stop munching with enjoyment. Obviously, we had a blast!

    Review of The Alley by Vikings (U.P. Town Center, Diliman, Quezon City)

    Ambiance:

    At The Alley by Vikings, don’t ask for what they specialize in, because the answer is, “what do you like?”. Take your pick on the exciting cuisines and explore this foodie paradise for interesting finds. The space is enormous, casual and comfy, with little retro and rustic touches here and there.

    The themed booths look decorative and creative, certainly a good way to attract people and elevate their dining experience. There’s plenty of room to accommodate large groups. The layout can be a tad confusing at first but you’ll get how it works soon. So before getting a plate and stuffing it with food, we suggest roaming around and navigating the alleys first. Don’t miss the taho station, dirty ice cream cart, and squid ball and kikiam stall at one end of the dining hall. 🙂

    Food:

    This gourmet food hall offers a tour of the world in one meal. Each counter has a distinct substantial variety of food including: Just Steak a Minute (sizzling plats like pork tenderloin in mushroom truffle sauce, chicken chimichurri, salisbury with pepper sauce and beef steak), Kegz (cocktails and alcoholic beverages), La Sap, Street Work, Trituen Batsoy, Lost & Pound, Antipasto Blvd (appetizers like cheese, salad, and bite-size snacks), Hao Chi (Chinese food), New York Pizza (pizza), Nords Coffee Bar, O’Sean Eleven (baked oysters), Yatai (assorted sushi, sashimi, tempura, maki and rolls), Hunneycomb (desserts like ice cream, cake, crepe, candies, etc.), and Ferino’s (bibingka and puto bumbong).

    With an overwhelming number of options, it’s hard to go wrong with anything. We started with some street food and quick bites like tacos, chicken wings, and lumpia as appetizers, then continued with Japanese sushi and sashimi and Chinese dim sum before finally moving on to the mains. The spicy laksa noodle soup, beef steak, pork bagnet, and tacos deserved two thumbs up. Their milk tea, pineapple & carrot juice, tamarind juice, and watermelon juice tasted really nice and fresh.

    We followed our stomach, ate slowly to relish the flavors, but still got so full before we knew it. Hence, regrettably, we were not able to try everything at The Alley. A second visit is a must! In any case, overall, we were impressed with the quality of food as they’ve surpassed our expectation. I ended my meal with a hot cup of ginger and lemon tea detoxify and reduce bloat. 🙂

    Price for Value:

    The Alley by Vikings offers a “new-school” take on food hall via vibrant dishes served in a more upscale, air-conditioned cozy environment. Surprise your palate with bustling and unfailingly delicious flavors at only PhP 738-PhP 938 per person (adult). Make sure to call ahead for a reservation to avoid long waits.

    The Alley by Vikings at U.P. Town Center Rates

    ADULT RATE:

    Adult Weekday Lunch: 738 (+5% service charge)
    Adult Weekday Dinner: 938 (+5% service charge)
    Adult Weekends/Holiday Lunch & Dinner: 938 (+5% service charge)

    KIDS RATE:

    Kids below 3 ft: FREE

    Kids 3 ft – 4 ft Weekday Lunch: 188 (+5% service charge)
    Kids 3 ft – 4 ft Weekday Dinner: 288 (+5% service charge)
    Kids 3 ft – 4 ft Weekends/Holiday Lunch & Dinner: 288 (+5% service charge)

    Kids 4 ft – 4 ft 4.6″ Weekday Lunch: 388 (+5% service charge)
    Kids 4 ft – 4 ft 4.6″ Weekday Dinner: 588 (+5% service charge)
    Kids 4 ft – 4 ft 4.6″ Weekends/Holiday Lunch & Dinner: 588 (+5% service charge)

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/thealleyuptown/” name=”The Alley by Vikings” description=”Second Floor, Phase 2, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City” rev_name=”The Alley by Vikings in U.P. Town Center” rev_body=”From the group that brought you Vikings. The Alley is an international street-inspired indoor food hall with 15 unique food concepts to choose from. A first of its kind to offer unlimited food and drinks. Taste and experience different flavors and specialty cuisines. Contact: 0917-673-5888, 277-1888, 277-2888. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2020-03-01″ user_review=”4.6″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Fantastic Chef Taft (Leon Guinto, Manila)

    Review of Fantastic Chef Taft (Leon Guinto, Manila)

    Taft Avenue in Manila is filled with food stalls and restaurants that cater mostly to students and thus offer items that are budget-friendly. Walk every five feet and literally you’ll wind up in a great dining spot. Walk some more and you’ll find Fantastic Chef in Leon Guinto Street. A sister company of Fantastic Baka, Fantastic Chef Taft is a swish restaurant that’s perfect for giving friends an intro to the joys of unlimited samgyupsal and savory banchan. Check it out.

    Review of Fantastic Chef Taft (Leon Guinto, Manila)

    Ambiance:

    Fantastic Chef Taft is one of the newest entrants to the Korean bbq craze in the metro. The restaurant is bright and spacious, and the earthy tiles making up a rustic backsplash look chic and attractive. Orange chairs and yellow accents on the sides of the table are a nice change of pace as pop of colors in the seemingly mundane setup. All tables are equipped with a grill stove and a hanging induction equipment to take care of proper ventilation and make sure you don’t smell of smoke after a few rounds of sizzling meat. K-POP songs played on the background, which made the ambiance feel more Korean.

    Food:

    Haven’t tried Korean grilled bbq before? You can’t go wrong with pork, chicken, or beef cooked on the tabletop grill at Fantastic Chef Taft, where quality cuts of top-notch marinades and a good variety of sides combine into a memorable meal.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv_nVnFlYfF/

    Food is prepared by Chef Jang Jungyun, a 3-star Michelin awardee and one of Korea’s A-list chefs, the same chef responsible for the food in Fantastic Baka. With this, you can order with confidence and choose from different cuts of meat, ranging from your usual suspects like pork belly and spicy pork bulgogi to some less routine stuff such as jowls and skirt meat. When in doubt, come with your friends or family so you can order and share everything, like we did. 🙂

    We started lunch with steamed egg which was fluffy and light. Then we had kimchi, japchae, cabbage salad, fish cake and soup as appetizers and enjoyed them as well with meat. For mains, we got one serving each of skirt meat, seasoned pork neck, cheek, rack, pork belly, spicy pork bulgogi, jowls meat, thin pork belly, spicy chicken bbq, seasoned chicken bbq, and beef plate.

    Like in any Korean bbq place, you don’t need to be a master chef to cook. My husband did most of the cooking and cut the meat with scissors to serve. We were pretty satisfied with the tender and tasty pieces of meat that came out with beautiful char. Meat with a hint of smoky notes and those marinated with sweet and spice stood out most for me. 🙂

    In the interest of doing Korean bbq right and getting the most out of your meal, here are some tips to consider:

    • Eat Korean bbq with banchan. When cooking, place meat on the center of the grill plate for about two minutes on each side. While waiting, dive into your banchan and feel free to snag pieces of meat to eat right off the grill.
    • Banchan is not merely an appetizer. These side dishes are usually served at the start of the meal, but they’re meant to be sampled all throughout, as they typically have acid and vinegar. Try it and you’ll appreciate when the acid cuts through all the rich flavor and fats of meat. For the ultimate flavor rapture, eat kimchi with pork belly in a single bite. Be adventurous!
    • Balance meat with some veggies (and maybe rice). Take some lettuce and aim to make each wrap a two-bite affair, not an overstuffed burrito. Wrapping meat in lettuce with rice and kimchi also wouldn’t hurt.
    • Order enough for the first round before asking for another. Don’t worry if you’re confused on which and how much meat to order. Unlike at a steakhouse where you might order an 8-oz steak for yourself, here you’re ordering for the group. The portion per course is enough for 1-2 people to share, so if you think you can’t finish all, take your time and don’t hoard food quickly. Later you can decide which item you would want seconds of. Fantastic Chef Taft charges PhP 200 if you have leftovers. So love food, don’t waste!
    • Ask for a new grill if you need one. In Fantastic Chef, the server swapped out the grill for us as it looked burned.
    • Dip grilled meat into the special melted cheese. If you love cheese, you’ll be happy to savor the best ever cheesy samgyupsal with special melted cheese dip.

    📢 To wash all food down, take advantage of their promotion until May 18, 2019: buy 1 fruit soju worth PhP 280 and get 1 free soju fresh. To catch all the latest offers and discounts, follow Fantastic Chef Taft on Instagram and Facebook.

    Price for Value:

    Craving for samgyupsal? Fantastic Chef Taft can be your next regular stop. It’s reliable for platters and platters of meat and all the good stuff. The good news? There’s no time limit!

    At PhP 499, you get unlimited orders of skirt meat, seasoned pork neck, cheek, rack, pork belly, spicy pork bulgogi, jowls meat, thin pork belly, spicy chicken bbq, and seasoned chicken bbq. Just add PhP 50 and take beef plate and seasoned beef plate to match your appetite. Overall, we’re pleased with the quality of food and the reasonable and affordable price. Fantastic Chef Taft is a must-try foodie destination and it’s certainly worth a shot! 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/FantasticChefTaft/” name=”Fantastic Chef Taft” description=”2472 Leon Guinto Street Taft, Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries, email fantastictaft@gmail.com” rev_body=”Famous unlimited premium Korean BBQ at an affordable price!” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2019-04-08″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Spiral has always belonged to the top 5 answers my friends say when asked about their most favorite buffet restaurants in Philippine hotels. For years, I have been aspiring to come back and re-experience a “gastronomic voyage nonpareil.” My first time at Spiral in Sofitel Philippine Plaza might have been a decade ago, so I thought spending our wedding anniversaries here with my family would be an epic moment.

    Last March 26, we celebrated our second wedding anniversary, and my parents’ had theirs last February. We agreed to have lunch last Saturday in this multi-awarded dining destination. I didn’t plan on eating breakfast on the day to prepare for the sumptuous spread, but since I woke up early, I had to give in and had a light meal. 😉 Thankfully, my appetite hasn’t waned and I still came with a hungry stomach.

    Review of Spiral (Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Pasay City)

    Ambiance:

    A Sofitel flagship, Spiral presents a bewildering array of choices with different cuisines available. The setting is quite modern and cozy, with an intimate and classy vibe and accommodation capacity is huge. This excellent buffet restaurant is divided into 21 dining ateliers. It features lustrous white marbles and glowing glass counters, where guests can watch how chefs masterfully prepare food right in front rather than in the back kitchen. At prime times, lines can go on forever, especially for tempura and ice cream, so remember to get there early.

    Food:

    At first glance, you’ll have a hard time choosing which station to hit first, but the good thing is that you can try all of them like we did. 🙂 While there’s a ton of dishes, I must say none was particularly outstanding and it’s hard to pick one or even a few favorites. I suggest planning ahead to choose your best bets and get your time and money’s worth. 😉

    Here are some suggestions:

    First Round: Appetizers. For starters, make your way to the 1. Salad and Appetizer and grab some fresh locally grown produce and organic colorful vegetables. Next, head out to 2. L’Epicerie, where meat and cheese lovers would discover heaven. Feast on a wide variety of premium aged hams, charcuterie, smoked fish, artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Pair them with olives, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, sauces and condiments for an outstanding gourmet experience.

    Second Round: Japanese and Pizza. Love tempura but hate waiting? Get to 2. Hot Japanese quickly so you can be one of the first in the queue for ebi tempura, if you’re into it. 😉 Here, you can also enjoy a selection of traditional grilled seafood, meat and vegetables cooked at the robata or at the teppanyaki. Before returning to your table, take a few pieces of fresh sushi, sashimi, temaki, or nigiri from the 4. Sushi Sashimi Station, or try a slice or two of traditional wood-fired oven pizza at the 5. Wood Fired Oven.

    Third Round: Chinese Food. Travel to the Chinese counters and delight your senses with 6. Asian Noodles drenched in your choice of broth, sauce, soup stock, and condiments. You may wait for noodles to boil and cook, or request delivery to your table. If you choose to wait, just beside is the 7. Peking Duck Oven. Taste the perfection of roasted Peking Duck. Take another few steps and you’ll find the 8. Chinese Wok station and choose from a selection of Wok cooked Chinese dishes reflecting all parts of China whether Cantonese, Hunan, Sichuan or regional. End your Chinese food trip with 9. Steam Baskets and savor authentic steam and fried dim sum such as hakaw, siomai, wonton, and spare ribs.

    Fourth Round: Various Asian. Continue chowing down on Asian food. Visit the 10. Korean food bar for sizzling plates and freshly tossed vegetables. We tried their kimchi, bulgogi, squid chili barbecue, and other banchan. Adjacent to Korean is the 11. Thai food station where you can find fiery flavors of soups and curries. Next up, 12. Filipino food. Satisfy your palates with a delectable array of traditional Filipino dishes like beef tapa, adobo, kare-kare, and crispy pata.

    Fifth Round: Meat and Seafood. When it comes to meaty entrees, you can peruse the 13. Rotisserie station with rich portions of meat and poultry, such as roasted chicken, slow cooked lamb, beef, and pork seasoned with assorted herbs and spices. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try tandoori-spiced meats with Indian and Asian bread and sauces at the 14. North Indian food bar. Get your share of naan and tandoori as well. Love surf and turf? Balance meat with a helping of seafood. 15. Churrasco offers juicy skewered seafood, while 16. French Stove has grilled seafood.

    Fifth and Final Round: Desserts. Sweet endings are the perfect way to conclude a memorable dining experience. Succumb to the temptation of freshly baked French pastries of all shapes, fillings, textures and sizes at 16. La Patisserie. Craving for chocolate? Don’t miss the 17. Chocolaterie and indulge in artisanal chocolate, truffles and pralines. One bite of these will surely make you euphoric with its intense flavors and colors. To top it all, finish your meal with ice cream. 18. Creamery offers different ice cream flavors that are both fruity (mango, strawberry), and citrus (calamansi) along with coffee, chocolate, and ube. You can also request for a crepe topped with a scoop of ice cream.

    Note: I don’t have photos of food per station up close because one of the waiters came up to me when he saw me shooting with my camera. He said only shooting with a phone camera is allowed. I didn’t understand the logic behind so I asked why. He turned his back and walked away. Snotty behavior or he really just didn’t hear me? I asked the second time but he ignored me and didn’t seem to bother. Oh well.

    Price for Value:

    SPIRAL at Sofitel Philippine Plaza isn’t just one of the most buzzed-about hotel buffet restaurants — it also offers one of the best and most lavish food selections. It’s not known as Asia’s grandest buffet for nothing! So while you’re here, make the most out of your visit and eat to your heart’s desire.

    SPIRAL Manila’s rate per person is originally priced at PhP 2,750 for Mondays to Saturdays lunch buffet, but since I purchased through MetroDeal, I got a 27% discount and paid PhP 1,999 per head instead. Price is still expensive but it’s as expected of an indulgent experience. This buffet restaurant can pretty much satisfy any craving. Once you hit the dessert station afterward, you’ll just have to roll home. Food coma!

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.spiralmanila.com/” name=”Spiral Manila” description=”Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines” rev_name=”For booking and reservation, contact +632 8326988 or email H6308-FB12@sofitel.com” author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-04-02″ user_review=”3.7″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Nobu Restaurant is the world’s most recognized Japanese restaurant, known for its innovative new-style cuisine, paired with a hip crowd and celebrity following. We had a Sunday brunch here last month and were wowed by the extravagant buffet spread of sashimi and fusion sushi dishes. Everything was spectacular and a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Like Chef’s Nobu’s other restaurants, the food at Nobu (in City of Dreams Manila) follows in the tradition of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and local flavors mixed in.

    Review of Nobu Restaurant (Nobu Hotel Manila, Parañaque City)

    Ambiance:

    Elegant and calm surroundings make an incomparable backdrop for the exquisite view at Nobu Restaurant. The setup is buffet, fine dining with counters presenting food and showing how chefs prepare and serve the dishes. Wide open spaces of the lounge area are matched with some intimate booths at the sides.

    Food:

    You think you have to choose among freshly made Japanese sushi, sashimi rolls, yakitori, grilled seafood, but life is never this hard. Of course you get all! The Nobu Sunday Brunch is a well-curated buffet where you get cold dishes, hot dishes, grilled food from the kushiyaki station, crispy pork belly at the carving station, bread and lavish desserts.

    I was super hungry when we came in, and the first things that greeted our gaze were the Nobu Sushi and Sashimi. I filled my plate up with Salmon Karashi Su Miso, Cup Sushi, Tuna Tataki with Matsuhisa Dressing, Shima Aji Jalapeno, House Special Roll, Oshizushi, Salmon Skin Roll, Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll, New Style Sashimi, and Chirashi—basically every starter that pleased my eyes. 😛

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BtaK-5olKMY/

    Next, we turned to the hot items and thoroughly enjoyed a mix of cooked seafood, vegetables, and meat as well. You can’t go wrong with: Shrimp Wasabi Pepper, Umami Chicken, Salmon Honey Soy Glazed, Beef Gyudon,  Kabocha with Quinoa Salad, Seafood Udon, Okonomiyaki, Miso Soup, and a steaming portion of Japanese Rice.

    But the highlight of mains for us had to be the kushiyaki station, where a chef grilled skewers of beef, pork, chicken, salmon, chicken skin, baby octopus, nasu, shiitake mushroom, leeks, squid, wagyu beef, eggplant, and more—to be paired with a choice of wasabi pepper, terriyaki, or anticucho.

    Just beside it was the carving station. We had an ample serving of the porchetta and vegetable fried rice.

    Seafoods like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, oysters, and mussels can be grilled by request. The grilled scallops and oysters tasted exemplary.

    Lastly, at the dessert section, there’s a wide selection of bread, pastries, and cakes, plus a matcha white ganache chocolate fountain, for dipping strawberries and brownies. We were all smitten with the sweet treats, but of all desserts (there’s a lot), the green tea, mango, vanilla, and raspberry sorbet stood out most. Runner-ups were the eclairs (vanilla, coffee, chocolate) and the baked a la minute (oven-based warm chocolate cake with green tea ice cream). #foodcoma

    For drinks, we had lychee and cucumber mocktails. The natural flavors worked together in wonderful harmony.

    Price for Value:

    Offered at PhP 2900, the Nobu Sunday Brunch Buffet is available every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3pm. It’s inclusive of all food, sodas, juices, mocktails, coffee and tea. Alternatively, diners may choose to have the brunch with free flowing Moet & Chandon, a selection of Champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, Mojitos, wines and beer, at P4,500++. Surely, the steep tab is not for the timid but the consistent level of taste and service makes you feel special.

    No doubt, Nobu Restaurant in Nobu Hotel Manila stays true to its reputation for delivering great food. It is a recommended place to celebrate any special occasion or whenever you want to pig out and make sure all the calories will be worth it. The luxurious ambiance with a “sweep you into another world” feel, exemplary staff, and super delicious Japanese food justify the cost. Each bite provided interesting and unique flavors. It will be an expensive meal, but it is a perfect spot for those who regularly enjoy sushi and seafood.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.noburestaurants.com/manila” name=”Nobu Restaurant” description=”Level 1, Nobu Hotel Manila, City of Dreams Manila, Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque” rev_body=”For reservations, contact 800-8080 (24 hours), 691-2882, 691-2885 or email noburestaurant@cod-manila.com” author=”Roch Sioco” pubdate=”2019-02-03″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Kaleidoscope Buffet Restaurant (Atlantis The Palm, Dubai)

    Review of Kaleidoscope Buffet Restaurant (Atlantis The Palm, Dubai)

    Kaleidoscope is a five-star buffet restaurant in Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. This area at the Ambassador Lagoon is only accessible to guests staying at the hotel and those visitors with reservations. Very exclusive! We’re glad we had the help of our travel agency to book us a meal which allowed us to experience a lavish lunch with extensive varieties of local and international cuisine. We felt special in this lively atmosphere and were actually one of the first ones who entered. You know who’s excited…and hungry! Here we were welcomed to a gastronomic escapade around the world, right after we toured Aquaventure. It’s certainly a meal to remember.

    Review of Kaleidoscope Buffet Restaurant (Atlantis The Palm, Dubai)

    Ambiance:

    Kaleidoscope is a paradise for food lovers. Your eyes will feast on the rich tapestry of colors and flavors in the luxurious restaurant interior. This restaurant has a fantastic ambiance, with buffet stations and tables overflowing with the good stuff. Each one is decorated according to the cuisine being served. It sets a vibe that’s perfect for a family meal or a dine-out with friends. There’s also an open interactive kitchen with live cooking stations where chefs prepare food on that spot and you can expect food that’s fresh. The theme centers on the sea, so guests can watch the stunning exotic marine life at the Kaleidoscope’s aquarium gallery.

    Service:

    At the reception counter, we presented a printed voucher that’s valid on the date and time specified. The staff quickly ushered us to our table and we began walking around the restaurant to get our food, while other diners still patiently waited to be seated. The restaurant was very busy but not too congested. We could easily call the attention of waiters and they were quick to respond to requests. Great service overall!

    Food:

    We were suitably impressed by the diverse range of dishes available. There’s a wide selection of salads and sauces, condiments, homemade organic and spelt breads, carving station chaffing dishes, anti pasti, pasta, pizza, lunch bites sandwiches, selection of cold mezzeh, mussels sauteed to your preferences, soups, cheese, noodles, dim sum, and pastries. Needless to say, as you can see in the pictures below, there seems to be no enough room on your plate or in your stomach to try it all, so it’s best to choose wisely in order of preference.

    Our favorites are the Asian food selections (especially Chinese), fresh seafood, mouth-watering roasts, and sumptuous desserts. There are also lavish Arabian, Persian, Italian, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine, carveries, and delicate sushi to suit everyone’s appetite.

    Price for Value:

    International lunch buffet at the Kaleidoscope costs AED 180 per person excluding beverages on weekdays (Sunday – Thursday) and AED 225 per person including water and soft drinks on weekends (Friday & Saturday). It’s equivalent to around PhP 3,166.72, which is on the pricey side. However, considering its value and the fact that it is located in one of the most elite five-star hotels in Dubai, making a reservation and dining in the Kaleidoscope Buffet Restaurant is a solid choice.

    If you’re visiting Dubai, make sure to plan your meal ahead and check in on time! You won’t be disappointed with their offerings and your experience here will be worth the price to pay for sure. #YOLO;)

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/restaurants/kaleidoscope” name=”Kaleidoscope Buffet Restaurant” description=”Crescent Dr, Atlantis The Palm Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2018-05-05″ user_review=”4.8″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    We have visited Glorietta countless of times, but it was my first time to come across Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. I was actually surprised to learn that it’s conveniently located in the Glorietta Shopping Complex and has a direct connection to the mall. It was my sister’s 25 birthday last Sunday and we celebrated the occasion having lunch at Flavors Restaurant that’s housed at the hotel’s lobby level.

    Review of Flavors Restaurant (Holiday Inn and Suites Makati)

    Ambiance:

    The restaurant design looks posh and sleek, much like what’s expected of it as one housed in a hotel in Makati. The ambiance felt cozy and merry, with Nutcracker Christmas-themed decors throughout the space. It’s a good way to make guests feel the mood of the festive holiday season, the kind that people wouldn’t want to walk past without wishing they were inside. Indulge in a feast for all your sense at Flavors. It’s a casual dining experience with a fine dining sensibility.

    Service:

    Flavors Restaurant may be formal and elegant, but the service did not seem overly stuffy. You can expect to have a refined and proper experience without feeling uncomfortable like you can’t sit back and relax. The waitstaff were courteous and helpful, rated 5-star for a 5-star Makati hotel. They also sang a happy birthday song for my sister! 🙂

    Food:

    We were wowed with an extensive spread of the premium classics (including lechon, roast beef, crabs, shrimps, and mussels), food stations artfully presented with hearty selections of meat, seafood and vegetables, and separate dessert tables for make-your-own halo-halo, chocolate fountain, cakes, bread and pastries, and fruits.

    While there’s no particular dish that blew us away, there were certain ones that are on the borderline of great. International and local favorites and vegetarian options are available. Succinct to say, Flavors is a safe bet when you’re looking for a buffet restaurant delivering quality all-you-can-eat food with a variety of delightful choices. Feel free to get messy here – it’s the best way to enjoy the food.

    Price for Value:

    Makati is flush with expensive and highly rated dining spots, and Flavors Restaurant at Holiday Inn & Suites is no different. It hits the spot for any special occasion or family event. Rates are pretty fancy (P1900++/head) but definitely worth it. Especially in this holiday season, it’s the perfect time of the year to impress your loved ones with your refined palate and exquisite choice. We availed of BDO’s promo and got 50% off the bill! Promo period runs from November 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018. Check this link out for reference.

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/HolidayInnMakati/” name=”Flavors Restaurant – Holiday Inn & Suites Makati” description=”Holiday Inn & Suites Makati opened on April 1, 2013 and is the first purpose-built Holiday Inn property in the Philippines. Flavors is located at the lobby level. Address is Palm Drive, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati.” rev_name=”For inquiries, call (02) 909 0888″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-11-30″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Grand Launch of Fredley Banawe Complex (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Grand Launch of Fredley Banawe Complex (Banawe, Quezon City)

    Fredley Food and Beverages, Inc. has been introducing exciting food concepts for the past four years. This year, they’re proud to have built their own complex with three of their brands—Macao Imperial Tea, Shabu-shabu Ichiban, and Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku—all housed at Fredley Banawe Complex. Today was the grand launch, and we were honored to take part in the event, witness the ribbon cutting ceremony, and try out their food specialties.

    Macao Imperial Tea Philippines

    As one of the fastest-growing cafe chains that’s proudly born in Macau, Macao Imperial Tea takes a deeply-rooted approach that highlights a mix of the rich Macanese culture and a personalized experience. Genuine, memorable, and special—this is what Macao Imperial Tea brings in each and every cup that’s especially made for their customers’ satisfaction. This cafe brought massive hype to social media with its cute tumblers and unique drinks. When we visited for the first time, I thought it’s very much worthy of the praise.

    The vibe was charming and the location seemed apt as a hangout place for friends to spend hours enjoying drinks and pastries over a nice chat. Macao Imperial Tea in Banawe is open from 7am to 12mn, so you can be sure you won’t miss out.

    Their menu is filled with interesting options such as chestnut cream, milk tea, coffee and quirky drinks like Kitten Milk Tea, Ginger Milk Tea, Walnut Black Sesame Fresh Milk, and Taro Sweet Potato Fresh Milk. I was truly spoiled for choice and then just asked the staff for best recommendations. We ended up trying their best-sellers, Chestnut Cream Cocoa (PhP 130) and Cream Cheese Oreo Milk Tea (PhP 120), and liked them both. A lot. I’m telling you, it’s a must-try!

    Topped with a creamy cheese foam made with whipped cream, milk and cream cheese, the drinks were both salty and sweet at the same time. Taste was simply exquisite, and thickness was decadent. Sipping straight from the cup without stirring and without a straw is recommended. 🙂 The drinks were also chocolatey, with the right amount of cream cheese bursting with complex flavor in every gulp. We also shared a piece of their almond chocolate cookie and loved it, too!

    Shabu-shabu Ichiban

    Shabu-shabu Ichiban is a popular hotpot restaurant from Nagoya, Japan. It gives patrons an authentic Japanese hotpot experience by providing plenty of interesting soup base options and unlimited servings of meat, sushi, and king crab. Like Chinese hot pot, Japanese shabu-shabu is also communal. Not only do you sit down to eat with all your companions, but you cook the food together in the same pot of simmering broth.

    Shabu-shabu Ichiban offers a reasonably priced and delicious introduction to a golden meal. This Japanese restaurant in Banawe has all-you-can-eat and a la carte options available on the menu. Overall, food is great, generous in servings, and you definitely won’t sit through your meal hungry. Indulging in Japanese shabu-shabu is good way to bond with the family or celebrate an occasion.

    We each had Set B (Weekdays: PhP 688 lunch, PhP 788 dinner; Weekends and Holidays: PhP 888) which was quite a mouthful. It consisted of: Sushi and Sashimi Platter, Vegetable Platter, US Angus Chuck Eye Roll, US Beef Short Plate, Boston Butt (Pork Shoulder), Chicken Leg Quarter, Chicken and Pork Dumplings, Assorted Balls, Shrimp Tempura, Fried Chicken Wings, Kushikatsu, Udon and Ramen Noodles, Dessert (Coffee Jelly), and Drinks. The soup bases we chose (tantan and spicy szechuan) were both spicy broths, perfect for the cold, rainy weather.

    The broth was nowhere near as complex as ramen soup bases in Japanese ramen restaurants, but we dropped in udon and ramen noodles anyway since hotpot broth always develops more flavor as you cook various items in it. The noodles took seconds to cook, the fatty cuts of meat required just a quick dip, and the assorted balls and fish cakes benefited from a longer soak.

    Thankfully, the settings on the in-table induction plate were carefully controlled by the staff. Just as we were getting into the hotpot groove, we also had bites of the remarkably greaseless tempura, sushi, and fried chicken in between. Yum! 🙂

    Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku

    After eating loads of food, we figured we have to return for another visit to Fredley Banawe Complex to experience their yakiniku special next time. Otherwise, we could have left bloated instead of pleasantly full. 😛

    Sharing the same space as Shabu-shabu Ichiban, Mitasu Charcoal Yakiniku is the newest concept among the three, offering authentic Japanese Yakiniku. A Japanese term for “fulfill,” Mitasu is said to live up to its name with the many kinds of Japanese favorites that will certainly leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking to get fancy with Japanese Yakiniku in Banawe, this is where you do it.

    [schema type=”review” name=”Fredley Banawe Complex” description=”780 Banawe Street, Quezon City” author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-10-14″ user_review=”4.5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

  • Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    In celebration of Father’s Day this year, we had lunch at Mabuhay Palace and dug into plates after plates of dimsum. Hakaw, siomai, congee, dumplings…you know it. We saw this restaurant the last time we went to The Manila Hotel (read Review of Café Ilang-Ilang). We were all enticed with their dimsum buffet offering (only at Php 888 net per head) and promised to try it in our next visit to experience “the most luxurious Chinese dining in the city.”

    We’re happy that this restaurant also offers a la carte dishes including vegetarian (for my dad). Mabuhay Palace’s quality of food is good and its consistency is tough to dispute. With its lavish menu of authentic Cantonese cuisine, there’s 100% your palate will be delighted. It’s one of the best we had so far. Come hungry, and you won’t leave disappointed. 🙂

    Review of Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet (The Manila Hotel, Manila)

    Ambiance:

    Mabuhay Palace is decorated with imperial Neo-Classical interiors highlighted by rich hues of bright red, orange, and gold, with chinoiserie carved Chinese dividers. Panels are padded with dragon-pattern fabric and glass that you surely won’t miss right off from the entrance. The walls are adorned with hand-crafted panels made of jade and precious stones, which narrate the tale of the philosopher Confucius, opulent art works that took a family of artisans two decades to complete. The dining room felt cozy and the seats were comfortable. Each table will make you feel like you’re own private space.

    Service:

    The staff were warm and professional. Orders were quickly noted, but it took some time before food arrives on the table since they’re prepared and cooked only upon order. Main courses will only be served after finishing all dimsum entrees. We had to request for them to be presented at the same time alongside other items. Service was not perfect and there were items we ordered but didn’t get. Despite the service hiccup, we had an awesome meal. We received a sincere apology and some free drinks in return.

    Food:

    Unlike regular buffet setup where people queue at the buffet stations and get food from the counters, in Mabuhay Palace, patrons order food from the waiters while seated by ticking items on a checklist. It’s simple: just let the food come to you. There’s no need to wait in line or consider the movement (or appetite) of other people in the restaurant or select dimsum entrees stacked high with bamboo or metal steamer baskets from steam table trolleys as in a typical Chinese restaurant. Rather, it’s more of a formal dining encounter where guests just have to sit, relax, and enjoy food served on the table.

    Dimsum is the ancient Chinese art of making a whole lot of damn fine food, served small plate-style. Why settle on one dish when you can sample dozens? To make the most out of our dimsum buffet experience, we tried everything that’s available on the dimsum menu checklist: steamed pork and shrimp siomai, vegetable and chicken spring rolls, steamed seafood spinach dumpling, no mai gai (deep-fried glutinous rice dumplings with black pepper chicken and leeks), ma lai gao (steamed cup buns), seafood taro puff, seafood nori roll, deep-fried wonton, ham sui guk (baked pork barbecued puff), steamed buns chocolate and walnut, steamed crystal skin shrimp dumpling (hakaw), steamed pork and shrimp dumpling with zhen jiang vinegar sauce pan-fried pork and shrimp dumpling, pan-fried me chai and dong po pork buns, volcano buns, and mushroom bun.

    Aside from dimsum, cold cuts are also part of the all-you-can-eat menu. We had century egg seaweeds and golden fried crispy smooth tofu. For the main course, each person is allowed to choose one. My mom, sister, and I ended up choosing: crispy-fried shrimp glazed almonds, honey-glazed chicken, crispy ginger, and crispy fried pork spareribs. We could have ordered another main course (for my grandfather) but we were already too full to finish everything! While waiting for the mains, we were served with sweet corn coup with crab meat and Zzechuan hot and sour soup. For desserts, we had deep-fried chocolate buchi, blueberry jelly, and red bean jelly.

    Everything was excellent and we were so impressed. This must be the gold standard of dimsum restaurants in Manila. If I were to choose my favorite, it would still be hakaw. It’s the best. Fresh, juicy shrimps encased in a transparent dumpling wrapper looked and tasted amazing! Yum. 🙂

    Price for Value:

    Mabuhay Palace at The Manila Hotel is an elegant restaurant where nobody’s trying to flip tables or rush you out the door. It’s ideal for big group dinners or luncheons, with easy-to-share dimsum for everyone at a relatively fair price. If you’re into Chinese food, it’s hard to go wrong spending a special occasion here. Look forward to a whole table full of plates crammed with dumplings, steamed buns, and Chinese pastries. Go with people with a large appetite and make a reservation by calling (02) 527 0011. 🙂

    [schema type=”review” url=”https://www.facebook.com/TheManilaHotel/” name=”Mabuhay Palace Dimsum Buffet” description=”The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila 0913″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco” pubdate=”2017-07-01″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]