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)
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
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