Buffet Bonanza
June 15th, 2006 by Zo Aguila, Acting Editor-in-Chief, CosmopolitanPosted in Food and Drink |
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I’m such a hotel whore. From the moment I prep my bag for an overnight stay and while queuing to check in, to fiddling with the key card and finally plopping onto the lush bedsheets—I love the idea of a hotel hiatus.
There’s something addicting about it. In fact, I’ve always imagined what it would be like to live in a hotel: your toiletries replenished every morning, your bed turned every evening, and your tummy filled to gastronomic perfection.
To give myself a well-deserved break, I recently holed up in Hotel Philippine Plaza to get my hotel fill. True enough, I kept to my hotel hiatus mode and spent a couple of hours curled up in bed, leisurely swam in their lagoon pool, lay on the poolside hammocks to watch the sunset, and yes, savored all the hearty dishes at the new Spiral buffet.
The buffet is composed of several food stations that feature different kinds of food. Owning my takaw self, I braved the different food stations and filled my plate first with cold seafood fare, followed by my fave Jap staples, exotic Middle Eastern dishes, Mediterranean tummy teasers, and grilled grub.
After taking a breather and having some tea, I finally got the strength (and enough tummy space) to check out the dessert table. Not so much a pure chocolate enthusiast, I was delighted to see a strawberry-white choco fountain. Woohoo! I instantly cleared the mounds of sweets I loaded on my plate. I swear! I hadn’t felt that happily bondat in a while.
That break was so definitely worth it. And after a so-sulit stay and even more sulit meal like that, I added more reasons for holing up in hotels.
* Buffet meals at Spiral cost P888++ for lunch (Monday to Saturday), P1,188++ for dinner (Sunday to Thursday), P1,288++ for dinner (Friday to Saturday), P1,488++ for Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended. Call (02) 551-5555 loc. 1086 or 1531.
Whether you opt for privacy or want to be seen, they have different seating preferences.
Food…
Food…
And more food!
As if one choco fountain isn’t enough!
June 15th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
I love the buffet at Spiral. If you’re eating there, definitely save room for dessert.
June 15th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
I have been wanting to try the buffet at Spiral. Seeing the pictures you posted… it certainly seemed so mouth watering. It inspired me to try their buffet one of these days.
June 16th, 2006 at 12:46 am
When did this open kitchen buffet start anyway? I think there’s no escape from the open kitchen buffet and choco fountain. But is it really the more the merrier? The Phil. Plaza has always had an extensive buffet and impeccable selection of desserts, but what about Circles at the Shang, The Market Cafe at the Hyatt, and every other open kitchen? Is there no escape from this cavalcade? Try them all and you decide which one is the better one, all i know is that they’re all good! Try the Jamon Serrano and the oysters at Hyatt, the Rack of Lamb and curry pots at the circles, not t to mention the smoked salmon with a dollop of hollandaise and some capers. uhm uhm, and of course, the white choco fountain right at spiral. now that something to go to confession about
June 16th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
what’s a hoar?
June 17th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
HOLY 2 FOUNTAINS!!!!!
June 17th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
fudge!!! just when i started to miss manila, is also when i got to see this article!! grabe!! i so miss hotel buffets! and as how i see this, their dessert section looks mouth watering!!
June 17th, 2006 at 10:59 pm
oh my oh my! i miss spirals! i love it there
especially the white choco fountain
June 18th, 2006 at 4:48 am
the writer probably means whore not hoar. har-har.
June 18th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
i’ve tried the choco fountain at Shangri-la Hotel and i almost ate all their strawberries (can’t help it! it’s my favorite), they have plenty of desserts…
June 19th, 2006 at 11:20 am
I have tried the other buffets in town, but I would say Spiral wins hands down in terms of quantity and quality. HEAT comes close in terms of quantity while Paseo UNO comes close in terms of quality but not in quantity.
If you will only get to eat at Spiral once, do it during their Sunday brunch. It’s pricier than on other days but there’s free flowing champagne and beer and lobsters galore. From the pictures posted on this article, I would guess that Cherry ate their during lunch on a weekday. Cheaper but less variety, although stil more than most buffets in the City.
June 19th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Hi Lou! Thanks for tipping us off on Sundays at Spiral! By the way, it was our contributor Zo Aguila who did this write-up on Spiral, not Cherry
June 19th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Just wondering what hotel is HEAT located?
I haven’t tried Spiral but really wants to…I’ve seen it on tv…
anyhoo, CIRCLES (makati shang) is still the best for me …as of now..since I haven’t tasted Spiral…
June 19th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
HEAT is at EDSA Shangri-la. Overall, I like Circles (Makati Shangri-la) better than HEAT, except for the dessert station. HEAT has 2 fountains, really good crepes, lots of truffles, and ice cream served like that of Cold Rock.
I’ve always want try Sprial’s buffet but kept on putting it off. Zo’s article definitely perked up my appetite… Can’t wait! Hope to squeeze it in my schedule soon!
June 19th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Sorry! Didn’t get to edit myself there.
I meant whore not hoar.
thanks for the correction.
Hope you enjoy eating in Spiral!
June 20th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
hey my bdya is comming up!
w/c is better: circles, heat, or sprial? and why? thanx. 
so far i have only tasted circles and heat. i like heat better.. their roast beef..delish! ;p
let me know! alamodality.plus.beauty@gmail.com thanx so mucH!
June 20th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
i would say Mkt Shang’s circle
June 21st, 2006 at 8:46 am
Carlos Says:
June 16th, 2006 at 12:46 am
When did this open kitchen buffet start anyway? I think there’s no escape from the open kitchen buffet and choco fountain. But is it really the more the merrier?
_____________
It started at Mandarin Oriental’s Paseo Uno. For me, quantity doesn’t matter. Paseo Uno has the best fare in terms of overall quality.
June 28th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
is there really a sugar free chocolate fountain in spiral? how much is the overnight stay local resident rate?
July 3rd, 2006 at 5:55 pm
Hi Sunshinier,
There is a sugar free chocolate fountain at times when there is a sugar free promotion. However, there are still suagr free items at the dessert station such as Sugar free chocolate clusters, Sugarfree tiramisu and fruits with aloe vera.
There two fountains - white chocolate and dark chocolate.
Local resident rate is P4800 net (Monday-Thursday and P5300 (Friday-Sunday)including buffet breakfast for two at Spiral (imagine it’s a very big buffet!)
Thanks for your interest!
YASMINE
July 6th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
I would suggest the Seven Corners Buffet at the Crown Plaza. The primbe rib is to die for and their japanese corner has the freshest sushi in town.
They have a yummy foie gras special with truffle sauce on the menu too and one of the best burgers ever.
LIsa
July 7th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
Hi Lisa, what is the buffet price at Crown Plaza? I may check this one first, it’s nearer to our place
July 13th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
hi there hypnotic! In think it’s about 1,000 bucks or 1100
July 30th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Spiral is very good in terms of design, the buffet spread is fantastic, the service is good but has hick ups, and I’m sorry the food isn’t all that great, and i think its normal, when you offer so much of food variaty for such an reasonable price, you can expect the best quality. It is no doubt better than circles. Circles makes you feel like you are eating in a cafeteria, and the food really isn’t that good. I am particularly impressed by the service and the food presentation at Heat. But my all time favorite is Paseo Uno. The food quality and freshness is awesome. And they also have the free flowing champagne lunch, except that they use Moet et Chandon which is so much better than anything Spirals offer during their sunday brunch. On top of that you need to twist arms and legs to get french champagne instead of the spumanti they serve.
But still a place to try and to go back too
August 1st, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Is it true what I heard? Spiral has suddenly increased their price to P1800 per person??!!! Ridiculous if true….
I agree with Lisa, 7 Corners is good and worth the price! Food quality is very good. In fact we were suprised when we went on a weekday for lunch and the place was packed. We had to wait 30 mins for a table. I would definitely go back. In fact, I did. ‘Tried their breakfast buffet–the best Belgian waffles in town!!
August 6th, 2006 at 4:40 am
Skid plate…
I am Karin, very interesting article that contained the information I was searching for in Google, thanks….
September 6th, 2006 at 12:36 am
which do you think is the best buffet out there?
September 8th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
hi there smartone,
I would say if you like to take a brake from a busy week or day, you should try paseo uno at the mandarin hotel, most of the other buffet restaurant are just so crowded and noisy.
The good thing there is one of the area of the restaurant has a view of the poolside, quite relaxing. Whether you go there for lunch or dinner that area is always nice. I’d recommend to book ahead as these seats are the first to go.
It seems they got a new foreign chef there and the quality of food has increased noticeably. They still have less variety of food as compared to the other restaurants, (especially is you compare to spiral) but the restaurant is also a lot smaller, which gives a cosy feeling about it. And since they have less food to work on I always feel that the quality they offer is far better than any other buffet. Anyway I heard that they were working on increasing the amount of dishes available by improving their buffet layouts.
I also feel that the quality of service has really improved, I have been going there for a while now, and before the only thing that was drawing me there was the food quality, now I must say I look forward to being waited by some of the staff there. The service is casual, yet very courteous. They really do they best to make you pass a good time while you are there.
Don’t think I only like paseo uno, I like Spiral and 7 corners too, but it just isn’t the same, when I go to those places there always is something missing, you know that extra touch…
cheers
September 24th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Spiral will be our next buffet adventure…Better to have it during lunch.
April 25th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I’m sorry, is Philippine Plaza formerly Westin?
April 25th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
yes, Phil Plaza is formerly Westin Phil Plaza, it’s now Sofitel… lunch buffet for wkday is around 1477 net, something loike that, but if you have their card then it’s 50% off. enjoy! love their dessert. Choco Chip is to die for.
May 11th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I love Sofitel philippine plaza Spiral’s buffet!!! Went to eat there last night with my family.. their dinner buffet is the best! 1,700php++ per person is all worth it!!! We all love the food! My family is a sucker for buffets at the hotel and this one is the best! LOve their dessert too!!! yummy! =)
June 21st, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! fwjffqkrsm
August 17th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
i love the new philippine plaza. we stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights for the fireworks olympics. we ate the buffet they had which kinda had a luau thing going on. full of grilled everything. i remember their desserts, as long as it was cute,it goes to the plate.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Hi there! You should also try Mandarin Cafe & Deli’s Sunday Lunch…Buffet and More. They have an appetizer buffet with choice of roast rib eye of beef or salmon for main course and cake for dessert for only Php780++. Mandarin Cafe & Deli is located at Gateway Mall in Quezon City and it is managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
SPIRAL’s is really a great place to indulge yourself.. i’ve been there twice already.. the first time was on a sunday lunch and they offered great wines…hmmmm!!! the second time was on a thursday dinner.. i was disappointed because there was no wine in the buffet.. arghh but i still enjoyed the food though..:) i love the pizzas, desserts, cold cuts and meditteranean foods!!! awesome… i still want to go back…
June 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Dad’s/ Saisaki isnt as pricey… offers less choices…. but enough to fill you.
They’ve got both traditional and white chocolate fountains too.
June 14th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
yup but the quality of Dad’s/Saisaki has really deteriorated. The last time I ate there it took them a long time to refill the tempura plate. And the other main dishes aren’t really fantastic. You could easily have it in a cheaper resto.
If I was going to spend on a buffet then I would choose Mandarin or Spiral.
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