Showing posts with label international buffet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international buffet. Show all posts
Café Ilang-Ilang at Manila Hotel Buffet Dinner (Manila, Metro Manila)
1 Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, 0913 Metro Manila, Philippines
After a decade since my last buffet dinner at Café Ilang-Ilang so it's was time for a long overdue revisit!
As expected, everything has changed from interiors to food selections.
Food
Bread Station
Café Ilang-Ilang's Bread Station has offers delicious baked breads selections which includes Black Sesame Rolls, Hard Rolls, White Sesame Rolls, Wallnut Rolls, Laugen, Rye Roll, Sour Rolls, Rye Bread, Original Six Grains, High Fiber Bread and French Bread.
Charcuterie Station
There's also a Charcuterie Station featuring a Cheeseboard (with Gruyère, Emmental, Manchego, Blue Cheese and Brie Wheel), olives, dried fruits, and honey.
Cold Salad Station
Cold Salads include Coleslaw, Shrimp Salad, Macaroni Salad, Kani Salad and Mangang Hilaw with Bagoong. There are also Cold Meats like Beef Pastrami, Chicken and Pork Terrine.
There are also some cocktail-style appetizers like the Melon Lassi, and Shrimp Mango Salad.
Fresh Salad Station
Admittedly, the Fresh Salad Station isn't my favorite in the past. Now, its my first stop in every buffet so having so much variety of fresh greens and sauces is much appreciated!
Seafood Station
The Seafood Station offers Butter Garlic Prawn, Butter Garlic Crab and ♥ Cheese Baked Mussels.
Churrasco Station
Café Ilang-Ilang has a different dinner theme per night. Since it was Surf and Turf Night, we were fortunate to have the ♥Blue Marlin available at the Churrasco Station. There's also heavy meats like Smoked Pork Loin, Churrasco Beef and Sausages.
Korean Station
The Korean Station ranged from main dishes like Spicy Mud Crab and Korean Grilled Lamb, a soup — Beef Radish Soup, and side dishes like Pajeon, Fried Zucchini, Fried Tofu, Kimcheon, Dried Squid, Fishcake, Kongnamul (soy bean sprout), Spinach and Kimchi.
Chinese Station
The Chinese Station highlights Chinese Dimsum of Pork and Shrimp Siomai, Choco Bun, Chicken Feet, and my favorite — ♥ Century Egg. There's also Chinese Corn Soup.
Japanese Station
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| Sushi Station |
The Japanese Station is the biggest food station. Check out the Sushi Station with Vegetarian Maki, Cheese Tamago, Spicy Kani Maki, Salmon Cream Cheese, California Maki and the must try ♥ Aburi.
There's also fresh Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Sashimi, Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Kani Salad and Tamago.
For the mains, there's Vegetable Tempura, ♥ Shrimp Tempura, Yasai Itame, ♥ Miso Cream Chicken, Salmon Teriyaki. And, to complete your Japanese meal experience, pair them with the Miso Soup and Japanese Fried Rice.
Italian Station
Among the popular stations is the Italian Station because of the specialty pasta dishes such as ♥ Gnocchi with Truffle Sauce and ♥ Pasta Al Forno. There's also an inviting display of Mixed Cold Cuts, Bruschetta with Basil and Tomato, Panini, Sacciata Sandwich, Salad Caprese, Foccacia Bread, Parmesan Cheese Wheel. I also loved the ♥ Leeks Potato Soup.
The pizzas are freshly oven-baked. Highly recommend the ♥ Spinach Pizza and ♥ Mushroom Pizza!
European and Mediterranean Station
Like other stations, there's a soup — Swiss Barley Soup, mains — Honey Garlic Prawns, ♥ Shepherd Pie, side dishes —Butter Vegetables, Marble Potato, and staple — Brown Rice.
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| ♥ Lechon |
For every Filipino feast, there's the Lechon.
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| ♥ US Angus Beef |
With the longest line, the US Angus Beef with your choice of sauce mustard, horse radish or mint is what you can't miss!
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| ♥ Foie Gras on Brioche |
Best to save space for dessert because there's many to consider. The spread includes a Cathedral Gelatin, Pistachio Sanrival, Carrot Cake, Mochi Buttercream, Ube Cake and Red Velvet. Then, there's the Artisanal Ice Cream Station and Crepe Station. So happy that there are gourmet ice cream flavors like Pistachio, Matcha, ♥ Durian and ♥ Black Sesame.
On the side shelves, there's Fruit Tarts, Mixed Berries Pavlova and Kakanin. The Bibingka and Puto Bumbong are no longer part of the buffet though.
Instead, there's Assorted Chinese Cookies, Assorted Cookies, Assorted Fruits, Chocolate Truffle, Marshmallow and Chocolate Fountain.
Drink Station
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
The Drink Station can be found by the entrance and beside the Halo-halo Station. Drinks include Detox Water, Cranberry Juice, Orange Juice and Apple Juice.
The drinks above go well with your meal. To complement your dessert, enjoy a cup of coffee—choose from Brewed Coffee, Cafe Americano, Decaf Coffee, Cafe Latte, Cappucino and Espresso.
Café Ilang-Ilang has long been a distinguished destination for premium international buffet. With its comprehensive buffet selections, you're sure to leave feeling satisfied.
| Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating | Cafe Ilang-Ilang Rate | |
| Ambiance | ★★★★ | Lunch Mon to Sat 3,295 php Sun 3,445 php Dinner Thurs to Sat 4,090 php Sun to Wed 3,445 php *Child Rate - 50% off |
| Taste | ★★★★ | |
| Service | ★★★★ | |
| Price | ★★★ | |
| ♥=Favorites or Recommended | ||
| Cafe Ilang-Ilang | |
| Business Address | The Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Manila Metro Manila |
| Business Hours | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
| Payment Options |  Cash |
| Service Charge | 10% |
| Budget/Person | 3,000-4,500 |
| Free WiFi | Yes |
| Contact | (02) 8527-0011 / 5301-5500 |
| Other | Website |
Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant: Birthday Treat (SM Mega Fashion Hall)
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
My friend, who is also one of my most loyal blog reader, happens to be an avid fan of Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant. I told him I've tried them during their soft opening phase for their SM Mall of Asia almost four years ago and he said it's drastically changed since then and I should update. Since it's been years of him persuading me to dine there and I have failed to, he decided to treat me there on his birthday. (He just couldn't take it that I have not reviewed it here LOL!)
We dined at the Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant at SM Mega Fashion Hall. It was huge but fully booked with long waiting lines even on a weekday lunch.
Food
Indeed, it has changed a lot and there was a lot of variety. I dedicate this post to my friend who invited me just for the purpose of this blog post. He was very supportive as I was going to and fro refilling my plate (we practically didn't have much time to chat =p).
Salad and Starters
There were pre-made salads, make your own salad, tapas and other finger foods like canapes. There's even Lumpfish Caviar there which no one is taking notice of. The Jellyfish was oddly rubbery I had trouble biting through. The rest was pretty good.
Sashimi, Sushi and Maki Station
The sashimi selections available are salmon, crabstick, tuna and squid by request. They had some sushi selections and a lot of maki selections in various colors too. I tried some of it like the Kawa Roll and Crispy California but not too much as I know how heavy they are to the tummy.
Bread Station
The bountiful bread station which seemed to be neglected by many.
Soup Station
For soup, I had the Nilagang Baka but loved the Miso Soup more. I had two pots of those! I also wanted to try the Sukiyaki but I had no room for it. I also tried the Chawan Mushi beside of it.
Chinese Dimsum Station
I tried the Chicken Feet which was good and the Scallop Ball.
Mongolian Barbecue Station
Tempura and Katsu Station
Teppanyaki Station
There's Beef Teppanyaki, Yatai Isame and Tuna Teppanyaki.
Grilled Station
There's Pork Chop and tons of grilled fish variants like Ginadara and Tuna.
Baked and Skewers Station
The Pork Satay, Pork BBQ and Oyster Rockefeller was very popular among diners so I tried the out. The Pork Satay was good, Pork BBQ was tender with sweet notes but I was dissapointed with the Oyster Rockefeller. The topping was white, tasteless and felt like a flour-based. It did not taste anything like cheese nor did it have any stretchy consistency so I could hardly believe it's mozzarella cheese really.
Shabu-Shabu Station
Chinese Noodle Station
Balls Station
Chinese Station
They had a lot of Chinese dishes.
I loved the Pata Tim!
Filipino Station
I kept coming back for the Bicol Express and Kalderetang Kamabing.
Korean Station
My favorite station is the Korean Station which has a lot of good offerings like Tak Toritang (spicy chicken and potato), Ojingeo Bokkeum (stir fried calamari with Korean hot pepper paste) and Sweet and Sour Chicken. I failed to appreciate the Galbi Tang because it was not warm enough.
Western Station
There were good choices at the Western Station too like the Baby Back Ribs, Goat Kourma (spicy curried braised meat) and Beef Brisket in Creamy Peppercorn Sauce.
Pasta Station
You can make your own pasta or select from the pre-made ones.
Pizza Station
Roast Station
My favorite station is the Roast Station which has Lamb Chops, USDA Angus Beef and Turkey.
There's also Suckling Pig on the side.
Dessert Station
There's a whole chiller filled with cakes and other sweet treats. There's a counter full of whole cakes and bite-sized pastries. There's also kakanin. There's a crepe station, ice cream station and fondue station. For something healthy, there's an assortment of fruits too.
There's also a make your own halo-halo.
Drinks Station
There's a lot of Twinning's blended tea, soft drinks, ice tea, Milo and beer. You can also ask for tea bags. You can also have wine but for an additional fee.
Birthday Song and Cake
For birthday celebrants, aside from eating for free, you also have a free cake and a song. Cool treat! My friend was shy so he didn't take the song. He gave me his cake which I had too take home as I was too full too. It was a good sansrival cake.
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant is definitely one of the most bang for the buck buffets in the Metro. The price is even more reasonable with their promos so I think their pricing is really tough to beat. The food quality and quantity will surely satisfy you and the service is good as well.
We dined at the Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant at SM Mega Fashion Hall. It was huge but fully booked with long waiting lines even on a weekday lunch.
Food
Indeed, it has changed a lot and there was a lot of variety. I dedicate this post to my friend who invited me just for the purpose of this blog post. He was very supportive as I was going to and fro refilling my plate (we practically didn't have much time to chat =p).
Salad and Starters
Sashimi, Sushi and Maki Station
Bread Station
Soup Station
Chinese Dimsum Station
Mongolian Barbecue Station
Tempura and Katsu Station
Teppanyaki Station
Grilled Station
Baked and Skewers Station
Shabu-Shabu Station
Chinese Noodle Station
Balls Station
Chinese Station
Filipino Station
Korean Station
Western Station
Pasta Station
Pizza Station
Roast Station
Dessert Station
Drinks Station
Birthday Song and Cake
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant is definitely one of the most bang for the buck buffets in the Metro. The price is even more reasonable with their promos so I think their pricing is really tough to beat. The food quality and quantity will surely satisfy you and the service is good as well.
| Vikings SM Megamall | |
| Business Address | 4/F, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Julio Vargas cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila |
| Business Hours | 10am-9pm (mall hours) |
| Payment Options | Cash |
| Service Charge | 10% |
| Budget/Person | 800-1,200 |
| Free WiFi | Yes (SM free WiFi) |
| Unlocked Foursquare Perks | None |
| Contact | (02) 656-3888, 656-4888, 656-5888 |
| Other | Facebook Fan Page | Website |
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