Fresh Buffet: Seafood and More at Solaire Resort and Casino

As much as the family wants to enjoy buffets as often as we can, we'd like to pace ourselves.  Since my cousin recommended Fresh Buffet at Solaire Resorts and Casino upon its opening, it's long been on our hotel buffet list.

Finally, we got to try it... not once but twice!  I'll just share both experience here if you don't mind.  Our first visit was on a Thursday night and the second was on a Monday night so it's the same weekday rate.  But, the former is way better than the latter.

Food 

Cheese Station

Goat Cheese, Goat Cheese, Bleu Cheese, Jams, Honey and Preserves

This was constant on both visits.

Cold Cuts Station

Cold Cuts with Pate

So are these...

Mediterranean Station

I love their Mediterranean section.  They not only offer more than just the basic hummus, I noticed that some of the selections vary as well.

Fresh and Smoked Seafood Station and Japanese Sashimi, Sushi and Maki Station

Fresh Seafood During Our First Visit

During our first visit, we were so delighted with their Seafood Station.  It has large King Crab.  Look at the size of those claws!  There's also huge Alaskan Crab Legs.  I had to come back for a second serving of those!  The Oysters were large and fresh so we ate them raw.  The Smoked Salmon, Smoked Mackarel and Smoked Tanigue were all great too.  The Shrimp Salad and Squid Salad were also satisfactory.  From the Japanese Sashimi, Sushi and Maki Station on the side, the Salmon Sashimi, Tuna Sashimi and Red Snapper were all so fresh as you can observe from their vibrant colors.

Fresh and Smoked Seafood and Sashimi During Our Second Visit

We obviously had an excellent first dining experience so we came back with a party of over 20 and we ended up disappointed with the Fresh and Smoked Seafood and Sashimi offerings.  The Salmon Sashimi looked pale and frozen. The Fresh Oysters were not only small, they were slimy and tasted yucky.  We requested them to be baked in butter (they don't have cheese!) but the experience was just the same.  Only small Crabs and Mussels were offered along with the Squid Salad and Mussel Salad.  The Smoked Selections were the same.  

Prepared Salads

Plate from Our First Visit and Offerings on Our Second Visit

During our first visit, we there was Lobster Salad!  It was prepared the same way as the Shrimp Salad.  In addition, they offered the Tuna Nicoise Salad, really good Coleslaw and Potato and Ham Salad.  On our second visit, they had the Tuna Nicoise Salad, Beef Salad, Tomato Mozzarella Salad and Coleslaw.  Sadly, the delicious Lobster Salad and  Shrimp Salad was not offered.

Bread Station

Bread Station

Lots of choices for pastry lovers!

Soup
During our first visit, they had a delicious Barley Soup.  The next visit, they had Curry Soup which was exactly the same as their Filipino Curry Chicken from the Filipino Station without the toppings.  I didn't like it.

Namul Station
They also offered variations of Namul such as Fresh Lettuce, Kimchi and Japchae plus Korean Sauces.

Main Dishes

Main Dishes During Our First Visit

We loved the Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Red Snapper, Arabic Style Lamb Shoulder with Cous Cous, Duck with Orange, Vegetable Gratin and wait for it... Sweet Chili Lobsters!

Main Dishes During Our Second Visit

I didn't try much from our second visit except for the Roasted pork with Sauerkraut.  Other were pretty much like ordinary party catering dishes like the Tagliatelle Bolognaise, Pancetta Rissotto and Mini Beef Sliders.  Good thing they also offered the same Vegetable Gratin which my nephew indulged in.

Dimsum, Noodle Soup, Chinese Cold Cuts and Filipino Sections

They had the same offering on both visits.  The Dimsum Selections were pretty good.  They Pork Siomai was tasty.  The Noodles Station allows the Chinese chef (speaking English with a typical Chinese accent) to serve your Noodle Soup according to your preferred noodle type, vegetables, sauces and broth: beef, chicken or pork.    The Chinese Cold Cuts had two offerings: Hainanese Chicken and Peking Chicken.  From the Filipino Station, constant offerings are the Liempo and Chicken Inasal.  There are also variations of cooked Filipino dishes and soup like Sinigang.  I tried the Filipino Chicken Curry.   It was pretty good.

Fish Station

Lapu Lapu in Sweet and Sour Sauce (first visit) and Tilapia in Sweet and Sour Sauce (second visit)

The delicious Lapu Lapu in Sweet and Sour Sauce was downgraded to Tilapia in Sweet and Sour Sauce on our second visit.

Grilled Station

Lamb Quesadilla and Prawns Pil-Pil

The Lamb Quesadilla and Prawns Pil-Pil were our favorites from the Grill Station.

The items are pretty much the same on both visits even the Vegetarian Pizza.  I didn't mind trying that for the second time though because it was really good!  Also try the Chicken Teriyaki.


Roast Station

The Roast Station does not disappoint!  On our first visit, there was Suckling Pig.  Our second visit there was Roast Beef which always had a waiting customer.

Fruits

Fruits During Our First Visit

On our first visit, there were a lot of Fruits Selections.  Only Melons and Bananas were offered during our second visit. =(

Gelato Station

Of course, I wouldn't miss the Gelato and had them on both visits.  I love the Mango flavor so I had it twice. 

Cake Station

They have a lot of delicious cakes!  In this area, they are one of the top on my list amongst hotel buffets.  On both occasions, the offerings were essentially the same.  They even have Sugar-Free ones.  My favorites are the ♥ Signature Chocolate Cake, ♥ Pistachio Opera Cake, ♥ Tiramisu, ♥ Raspberry Cheesecake and ♥ Coconut and Mango Mousse.  


Chocolate Fondue and Candies Station

Aside from the Chocolate Fondue, they also have a Chocolate and Candies Station which was also impressive!  On our first visit, they have a ♥ Chocolate Lollipop Filled with Chocolate Ganache .  It was really good!  On our second visit, they offered Chocolate Bits.  They also have some candies like Polvoron and Ube.

After-Meal Coffee

The buffet rate is inclusive of free hot drinks: ♥ Cappuccino, Latte or Tea.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I really can't conclude much on Fresh Buffet because of the great disparity between my two visits.  Since they offer them at the same rate, I'm expecting high standard of quality which they would maintain consistently especially since there were a lot of people dining and most of them were tourists. 

How about you?  How was your experience?

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating		Fresh Buffet Rate
Ambiance	★★★★★	Breakfast:  Adult: 1,100 ++ Child (7-12 yrs.old): 500 ++  Lunch:  Mon-Sat:  Adult:1,900 ++  Child (7-12 yrs.old): 950 ++  Sun & Holiday Adult:2,400 ++  Child (7-12 yrs.old): 1,200 ++  Dinner:  Sun-Thurs: Adult:2,100 ++  Child (7-12 yrs.old): 1,050 ++ Fri & Sat:  Adult:2,600 ++  Child (7-12 yrs.old): 1,300 ++ *Children 6 yrs. and below: FREE
Taste	★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Fresh Buffet
Business Address	1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo,  Paranaque City, Metro Manila
Business Hours	Breakfast: 6:30am - 11am Lunch: 12pm-3:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm-11pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	1,800-2,500
Free WiFi	Yes
Unlocked Foursquare Perks	None
Contact	(02) 888-8888
Other	Website | Facebook Fan Page

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