I’ve tried almost all of the hotel buffets in Metro Manila and I was glad I finally got to sample the one at New World (now Renaissance Makati City Hotel) over a business meeting last week. Renaissance is a five-star hotel strategically located in front of the swanky Greenbelt Mall. It has also established quite a reputation with me as the hotel with “the most paranoid security check” this side of the city. But that’s another story.
What am mentioning here is the coffeeshop food, which turned out to be quite a revelation. My favorite buffets are found in Hyatt Manila, Philippine Plaza & the Mandarin Oriental but at P875+++, the one in New World is priced cheaper than its five-star counterparts. The counters have a good selection of seafood, breads and cheeses. However, the one that stood out with me was their Mongolian BBQ grill. Mmm, ’twas definitely yummy and will definitely be going there again for this.
I guess it need not be said that Filipinos like buffets a lot. Back when I was younger, I remember the eat-all-you-can salad bar at Wendy’s where people balanced those salad ingredients in one plate like they were trying to duplicate the height of the Petronas Towers. Amazing! Having seen people in buffets all these years, allow me to put forward some comments and observations:
1. Oh yeah, buffets are good when it’s free or someone else/your company is paying. Otherwise, people can really turn into complete gluttons because they would always try to get their money’s worth.
2. If you’re not a hearty eater, don’t try any of those hotel buffets because it will just be a waste of money. $20 for a meal is no joke (unless, again, it’s on an expense account)
3. Heaping all that food on one plate tells so much about you. Really. (As in, hey, it’s not the end of the world!) Better to get a little bit of everything you like and just go for seconds.
4. There are other more important things than the buffet in front of you. When you’re dining with other people, savor the conversation. Enjoy the food, instead of simply attacking them. Chew slowly.
5. Go slow on the rice and the drinks. Or else you will be full in a jiffy.
5. More than gorging on all the food, I treat buffets as an educational experience. It’s where I learn about new dishes , a country’s cuisine and various ways of presenting food. And this is why I’ll never say no to a buffet (just treat me!)
Lugi ako sa buffet. I have the tendency to fill up my plate pero hindi ko rin nauubos.
Oy you’re right about New World being the most finicky in security. You know our favorite buffet is Mandarin Hotel. The technique we use is to have a light lunch then go early to the hotel. You’re right about the conversation. We take our time eating and manage not to get really full. In between, it’s talk talk and talk. Hubby and I managed to stay for 3 hours. Lugi yung hotel sa amin.
hi A! now you made me curious of their Mongolian BBQ. ‘wish I could sample ’em 😉
Hi Irene. Yes, I think there’s a certain psychology to these buffets. Your eyes are attracted to all the food and so you get as much as you can. But the truth is, you can only eat so much.
Noemi, haha. OA talaga ang security dyan sa New World..grrr:evil:
Ninang Thess, okay ang timpla ng Mongolian nila, the right kind of spicy. But I bet there are also cheap Mongolian BBQs in Mla, ewan ko lang sa Holland:smile:
When my hubbie and I eat buffet (over here, the only choices for eating out are hotel buffets or hepa-laden noodle stalls), we only get our favorites and most expensive foods like salmon sashimi, oysters, lobsters, roasted leg of lamb… hmmm, making me hungry. Delicious freshly brewed coffee here is included so sulit na rin. I could usually control myself during the main meal and not stuff myself. But when I see the super moist chocolate opera cake with rich dripping icing… patay!:twisted:
buffet is a place where u are enough time to take things easy and enjoy the food…
but do you know why they have big salad bars? its cheaper….
not common here in Greece though… but we go every now and then for brunch at the intercontinental which is so pricey..
whoa Toe, may sweet tooth ka pala 🙂 the one thing i gorge on in the buffet are the fish dishes, notably the sashimi..don’t know why, i just love it
Sha dear, in Greece maybe, the veggies for the salad are cheaper but here it’s expnsive. I don’t know whatever happened to our farming industry:idea:
imho, new world (renaissance) cooks the best cheeseburger in town
Thanks for the tip Yaj..will check it out:wink:
Greeting,
I have been to Manila last May 05. I have read about the food
at the Renaissance Hotel in the food section or social section of one’s
of Manila newspaper.
I was near by the hotel during my visit to Manila.
I shall make it my business to visit in 08 when my wife and I will be searching for a place to live in the Philippines.
M. Matthews
Actually, I’d say try SEVEN CORNERS! It’s composed of 7 interactive cooking stations ranging from pizza, dessert, seafood, japanese, oriental, western and infamous INDIA! 😀 Plus, it changes a bit everyday…but the most popular dishes remain deliciously the same! 😆