Fantastic Eat-All-You-Can Dinner at Buffet 101

It was a Thursday night last May 2nd. The original plan was to go to Vikings (the more popular buffet dining place) but when we got there, we were no. 42 on the wait list. I suddenly remembered Buffet 101 (the other buffet dining place at the other end of San Miguel by the Bay) so that was where I suggested we transfer. We were a group of 8 persons: the hubby, my SIL, my five officemates and me. It was just one of those planned dinners that fortunately pushed through. During our visit, Buffet 101 had a very good food selection featuring international cuisine (just like in hotel buffets) that I got overwhelmed and felt momentarily dizzy with all the food surrounding me every time I would approach the buffet stations.




The best thing about Buffet 101 is that for P950 (buffet dinner price on a weekday), you get to eat as much as you want, drinks included. By drinks, I meant several kinds of soda, fruit juices and shakes, coffee, tea, beer and wine. (Vikings doesn't serve wine for free, you have to order it separately.) I've eaten at various hotel buffets before, and so I'd like to think I'm in the position to say that with its great ambience, pleasant service and good-tasting food, Buffet 101 can give them a run for their money.

Here are some photos to attest to that:

You'll love how spacious the inside of Buffet 101 is. The cushioned chairs are super comfy, too.

No need to reserve, I think, as there's a table for everyone.



















And now, the food I ate here:


While the crab rice tasted plain and had a soggy texture, the steak was a-okay with its US beef goodness.


very nice dimsum, hindi tinipid!


Some of the Italian food items they had that night. Pizza was yummy!


Look for this thinly-sliced pork belly at the Chinese food station as our group couldn't get enough of this! I'm telling you, it's addicting! Crispy skin + well-seasoned meat with just the right amount of fat= pork heaven!


The cakes were okay but the desserts on the shot glasses were ordinary. I suggest you look for the Italian cheesecake as this is the best they have at the desserts station!


The frozen yogurt dispenser at Buffet 101 made me drool with delight. I'm a big frozen yogurt fan so I really took advantage of it there. See, I had a total of five cups! More if the hubby didn't give me "the look." Haha.


with the hubby


our group

Buffet 101 is the place to go to when you want to treat your family, business partners, date or whoever to a wide range of food at a good price. I am definitely going back there, but not until I've tried Vikings so I could compare the two. :)

Buffet 101
Bldg. K, Seaside Blvd.
Mall of Asia Complex
Pasay City
(+632) 556-2888


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Review: Dusit Thani's Sunday Crossover Brunch Buffet

It only happens once a week so why not take advantage of the glorious feast from four different specialty restaurants in one hotel? I'm talking about Dusit Thani's Sunday Crossover Brunch, people. I experienced this first hand a few months ago (thanks to the online deal I snatched!) along with my hubby and my one and only SIL. What can we say? The food was overwhelming. We really had a very fun and filling brunch!

(PHOTOS TO FOLLOW...)
Once inside Dusit Thani lobby, we went to a corner there and registered for the crossover brunch. We showed our coupons to the receptionist and were given wristband that served as our ticket to the four restaurants namely: Basix (Continental), Benjarong (Thai), Tosca (Italian) and Umu (Japanese). Our base restaurant (where we reserved for a table and ate to our tummy's content!) was Basix. I liked it there because the variety of food was almost complete!

All in all, we had one trip to Tosca (too full already when we went there) and Umu (not a big fan of Japanese food), two trips to Benjarong (loved their sweet and spicy wings!) and went a few rounds inside Basix. Obviously, we loved Basix. My top favorites were the lamb chops cooked Mediterranean style at the grilling station, the dimsum, and the fresh seafood.

I also appreciated that the buffet already included bottomless drinks and some mocktails. I think I drank four different beverages. You are to get them at the bar situated near the grand staircase. When we were there, the bartender was my kababayan pa! He was the cousin of my classmate and I was a year ahead of him back in high school in Nueva Ecija. What a small world!

It's true what I heard before that the crossover brunch is best enjoyed with family. The food choices were just insane, there's really something for everyone! Had we paid for it with the original price of P1,800 nett, it would still be worth every penny!

Service was okay, the staff were accommodating and polite. I had no complaints. The restroom was a bit far from our base restaurant but with all the food we ate, a little walking to burn the calories was just right.

As for the ambience, it was all good. Very hotel-appropriate, if you know what I mean. Basix looks like a classy resto, Umu was a little dark but very Asian, Benjarong and Tosca (both at the second floor) have a modern yet cozy feel. I'd still go for Basix, though, because I enjoyed resting my butt on their well-cushioned seats.

My verdict? Dusit Thani's Sunday Crossover Buffet is one dining experience that you shouldn't miss! :)

Dusit Thani Manila
Ayala Center, Makati

(+632) 238-8888

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Spiral Buffet Dinner at Sofitel, Pasay City

Thanks to groupon sites like Ensogo Philippines, great deals are just a mouse click away. Last Friday, we were finally able to use our Ensogo vouchers for a buffet dinner with one glass of wine at Spiral, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Originally P3,150, we got the vouchers for just P1,575 each. That gave us 50% savings! And to think it was the Spiral buffet, I was quite sure we'd get full value for our money. And we did! The buffet we had was a delight to the senses, what with the outstanding display of international cuisines for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.

Edwin, Albie and I arrived at Sofitel, Pasay City a few minutes before our reservation time of 7:00 p.m. As soon as we entered the well-maintained buffet area, we were greeted by a host of hotel personnel. We were immediately ushered to our table which was a few baby steps away from the Chinese food station. It was followed by the pouring of the complimentary wine to our glasses. And then we joined the big crowd and started helping ourselves with the wide selection of food.


with my two companions


the buffet area

Buffets always give me a hard time. I just can't decide fast when it comes to what I should try first. Anyway, proximity won as my first plate was Chinese food (it was the nearest to our table, remember?).


my starter (laksa and chicken soup combo)


first plate

And then I tried the other cuisines, just little servings as I wanted to appreciate each food and didn't wanna get full fast. I think I saw over 300 dishes from five or more cuisines on display. Aside from the Chinese food, I spotted Italian and Spanish favorites, Japanese items, Filipino and Indian specialties, grilled meat and seafood and a lot more. Haaaay, just thinking about all those food now makes my mouth water!


second plate


third plate


fourth plate

I know it's biased to say that I liked everything I ate, so I'll just mention some personal favorites. I enjoyed my noodle soup a lot and I couldn't get enough of the bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms grilled to perfection. I also loved the Indian flat bread and the Italian pizza and potato salad. These are the must-haves at Spiral, take that from me.


these bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms were a winner! make sure to try this one at Spiral!

When the time for desserts came, I got too tempted to try everything (from cakes to pastries). Good thing I was so in control of myself that time, I managed to get only a small plate that had mmostly fresh fruits plus a small serving of blueberry cheesecake and the pièce de résistance creme brulee. My finale was a scoop of strawberry Italian gelato which I mixed with lots of different nuts (pistacchio, almonds, walnuts, etc.) I would have gotten a scoop of my fave pistacchio ice cream as well but they didn't have that. :(




my dessert plate


strawberry gelato




Sofitel was such a posh and lovely place. It helped that there was a big crowd to keep the festive spirit alive. The dim lighting on the tables was not so food photography-friendly, though.


what I wore that night


the Sofitel grand staircase with the Spiral art piece

Aside from the fantastic hotel buffet experience, we were also able to explore the back part of the hotel facing the Manila Bay. That area was just so romantic! Swimming pools, tables and chairs, beach hammocks and beautiful Cebu furniture were available for hotel guests to use. I saw couples and groups having a good time by the sea and under the stars. We couldn't help but take some photos of the people hanging around ourselves and the beautiful view.





As for the hotel service while we were enjoying the buffet, I give them an A for effort. The staff were attentive and friendly. They moved fast but looked composed despite the busyness of the night. I have to give it to them for showing the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people to the world (there were foreign tourists everywhere I looked!). Haha.

I hope to treat my entire family to a Spiral buffet experience in the future.

Spiral Buffet at Sofitel
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard
Pasay City, Manila 1300

Reservation Numbers:
(+63)2 5515555 or (+63)2 8326988

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