We finally had the chance to try what Sofitel is boasting about – Spiral Buffet. Let me share with you some photos along with a few stories on what happened that day.
We reserved a function room for our family. The function room is good for 12 people but we were 24 in the group so we reserved two function rooms. They just took down the wall.
Indulgence
The other function room which was adjoined with Indulgence is called Decadence 🙂 SO yes we indulged and over indulged in the different atelier of Spiral Buffet (there were 21 by the way but my tummy could only take a few – ask my husband though. I think he made sure he got his money’s worth :))
With my cousins and the empty plates LOL
So okay to share some of the sections that caught my fancy – THE CHEESE ROOM.
This was the pride of Spiral Buffet. There were different types of cheese and cold cuts in this gorgeous glass room. I just wish that the “Chef” or “Attendant” (I don’t really know what to call her) would be friendlier and would go beyond the usual explanation that the difference of Cheese A vs Cheese B is simply the creaminess because I sure know there’s more to that. Miakka was very excited to learn about the different types of cheese but the attendant took her time to warm up to Miakka and to answer her properly and when she did, it seems like she’s not that knowledgeable about CHEESE. Well, hubby just explained the different types to Miakka to the best of his ability anyway.
Some of the types of cheese
The Cold Cuts Station
Some of the types of cold cuts
The next station that we went to was the Asian station. Ironically this was the station nearest to our function room but we wanted to check the Cheese room first (excited kami LOL).
The Asian Station
It was as expected – Korean, Chinese, I think there were also Filipino food. Beside it is the North Indian station and beside that is where the prime ribs are. I was not able to take pictures of each station as I think the other restaurants that offer buffet such as this are somehow at par with what Spiral has to offer.
French Stove Station
This one has the pasta station. It also has the grilling station and the pizza station. We had our seafood plates reheated here. My aunt had a problem with the system as we all know that reheating takes up too much time. At other buffet restaurants, we are usually given numbers or the attendants just deliver to where we are usually seated the food that we need reheated or cooked. Given the amount that we need to pay, we were expecting customer service at its finest. However, even though my tita told the attendants that she will just come back for her seafood as she went to our function room first to have her salad, the seafood she waited for – for a good 5 minutes before she decided to just go back for it – was already gone. Another guest took it! My tita was so mad that she asked to speak to the manager. The manager promised that they’ll do something about it. For those who will go there, let me know how this turns out okay? 🙂
Another station that we loved was the…
Of course, the Japanese station
We, as a family, are fond of Japanese dishes. Miakka, eversince Yabu opened at Megamall, never fails to drag us there just so she can eat katsu 🙂 And yes, that’s what she had at Spiral – katsu, a bit of rice and lotsa dessert. (Paid 1.8k++ for that – argh! Sayang talaga)
Always, always fascinated with Japanese chefs
This is where I got my money back! Akin lahat yan! LOL
There were also a salad and appetizers station. They can toss the salad for you.
Miakka looking and trying to decide which one is worth trying
Seafood Island
If there was one thing that Miakka really enjoyed in this experience it was the extensive selection of SWEETS.
La Patisserie
They just don’t have loaves of bread BUT they also have chocolate fondue and such. Wasn’t able to take pictures though.
Chocolaterie
Now, who wouldn’t be happy in a section called The Chocolaterie??? I was very happy to try the different types of desserts, sweets, the yummy yummy truffle and praline chocolates. There were also halo-halo, bibingka, and puto bumbong, which I had too. I’m such a sucker for native desserts 🙂
Over-all, it was a nice dining experience despite the seafood mishap. Would I go back? Yes, but not soon. I find the price too steep. Rate for adults is at P2500.00++ each per person. We had lunch here and I know that dinner is more expensive. Kids get 75% off. Senior Citizens get 20% discount.
With those prices, we were expecting excellent customer service. The customer service was good but it was far from excellent. There was only one attendant assigned to us and we were 24 in the group. I have to commend her though for being able to at least satisfy all our expectations – SATISFY NOT EXCEED.
Hello, tummy!
At Sofitel’s lobby
Confessions of M and N's mom 