Buffet time!
Exploring the buffet revealed a predominantly Asian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino options, with a sprinkling of Mediterranean and Italian dishes. At every table, I saw a dish I would definitely like to try. However, I must confess that what immediately caught my eye were what I like to call the “fun buns,” which were shaped like a pig and a mushroom.
The pig was filled with custard, making it a dessert bun, while the mushroom contained sautéed mushrooms in a savory sauce. Of the two, I enjoyed the mushroom more. The bread of the buns tastes just like mantou. To be honest, there was nothing wrong with the pigs except for failed expectations, since I expected the inside to resemble the outside. That aside, the custard was okay. If the buns were warm, the filling would have been gooey, which would have been perfect.
The buffet table on its left had four dishes, and the one that caught my eye was the beef caldereta; I knew my vow to myself not to eat rice was getting thrown out the window. In my opinion, it is impossible to eat caldereta without pairing it with a generous serving of rice. Then, on the far side of the table, where the buns were, there were beancurd rolls, and that was it. I told myself that I didn’t need to see the rest of the buffet, lol!
That being said, I knew I still had to explore the rest of the buffet. More food choices are available on the left side, near the window overlooking the street, and in the “al fresco” area located near the hotel lobby.
The trick to enjoying buffets is to try to avoid eating too many carbs, as they tend to fill me up quickly. I’m not always successful at it, but I make an effort to do so. I helped myself to the dishes that caught my eye or made my mouth water. In my youth, I would probably have sampled everything, but nowadays, unless I want to look like a Goodyear Blimp, I have to pick and choose. Moderation is key.
I must confess, though, that it took a lot for me not to get more than two pieces of the deviled eggs. I LOVE deviled eggs!
Dessert
The saying “save the best for last” must have something to do with dessert because I always make sure to save space for dessert and pray for a good selection. With everything I had already eaten, I couldn’t eat as much as I wanted, but I had to try a few, especially with the chocolate fondue. I ended up trying the otap, dark chocolate bark, and pianono.
For a lunch and dinner promo rate of ₱899 per person, I think those are good selections. I, for one, could not even sample everything I wanted to. Don’t be surprised if I post again in the future that I went here again with friends. They also offer a breakfast buffet promo for ₱550 per person, ideal for those who prefer a leisurely start to their day.
Speaking of which … I was happy to bump into Tita Lally, who happened to be billeted at the Manila Prince Hotel that day. She and Tito Art were there for a staycation.
In 2024, my next food trip destination is likely to be Marcelino Cafe again. Would you like to join me? KKB!
