[This is another flashback post; accomplished July 2011; and I know – it’s already July 2013. After two years, I’m now ready to blog this. I dedicate this blog post to a good old best friend…]

 

The famous Spiral buffet in Sofitel Hotel is probably one of the most, if not the most, expensive eat-all-you-can in the Philippines. The price per adult then ranged from 2,200 to around 2,500 pesos depending on the day (weekdays vs. weekends) and time (lunch vs. dinner). But with the help of online deals, we got Spiral buffet vouchers for just 1,575 pesos per head (thanks Ensogo!). Yeah, still pricey but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to treat ourselves once in a while :).

literally Spiral staircase and sculpture

 

And so we used the voucher last July 2011 to celebrate my friend’s birthday. Nasa far far away province kasi ‘yung family n’ya so I was his companion for his 26th (also on his 22nd to 25th hehe). Anyway, I love the table assigned to us; it was beside the fountain so we can hear the flowing water which gave us a serene feeling.

very calming ambiance – love it!

 

Ready, Set… Lamon!!

round 1 for me – grilled meat for protein; grilled fish is also available

rarrr!! (mamamatay na sa gutom at this point)

 

It is my personal style to eat meat first and very less carbs on the first few rounds so I won’t feel that heavy immediately. Plus, we needed lots of protein since we worked out at the gym that morning.

Roasted Prime Ribs! – I asked for mine to be cooked medium rare but I guess I should have it well done next time; o baka hindi lang ako sanay sa lutong mayaman :))

 

If you’re on Chinese cuisine, you will surely not be left behind…

pecking duck, anyone?

 

dim sum galore: siomai not-so-unlimited

(ambilis kasi maubos; although they refresh it naman every now and then)

 

Japanese cuisine fans will not go home crying…

chicken teriyaki is always a safe Japanese pick for me ;)

 

different kinds of tempura – another Japanese staple food

 

it’s not Japanese without sushis and sashimis

(unfortunately, I’m not used to eating raw food; ayoko sa malansa e lol)

 

Hello seafood lovers…

crab-shaped seafood stand

 

bright orange seafood parade

 

oysters on the other side

 

We’re losers (and embarrassing). We ate the seafood as is. We didn’t know that we can actually ask the (on-the-job) student chefs to cook them for us (e.g. buttered shrimps). Haha, halatang first time.

 

Moving on, there’s also a portion for…

cold cuts

 

cheesy portion - I always thought I was a cheese lover;

but it turned out that it’s just the usual cheddar and parmesan that I really like

 

the famous foie gras a.k.a. duck's liver (pagkaing pangmayaman daw eto)

daming nakapila rito; it’s really oily but I like it nevertheless

‘yung friend ko ayaw tikman kasi naaawa raw siya sa mga bibe

 

pizza, mashed potatoes, sukiyaki and other carbs – good but nothing extraordinary

 

and more carbs – cookies and bread

 

There were still a lot more to try for the main dishes like Indian and Thai food, among others. There were also different pasta dishes like pesto, carbonara, etc. but we weren’t able to taste them because we were so full already.

cheers! (the voucher we got included a glass of wine)

 

When in Spiral, seriously consider to save room for dessert… WARNING: nakakasira ng diet!!

mmm teppanyaki ice cream – and a lot of toppings to choose from

 

select-your-own filling crepe; there’s blueberry and mango

 

jelly candies for the kids

at may nakita akong lola na pasimpleng ngte-take out nito para sa mga apo

 

specialty cakes

 

and more cakes!

 

many more to mention cakes, plus fruits and fondue

 

I would say it was worth the price considering the very wide array of food and the promo price that we got. Although not everything is best of its class; the food, in general, tastes above average. Bawing-bawi kami sa cheat day :D.

This Sofitel Spiral food trip was before it was renovated last second half of 2012. Upon its re-launch, Spiral now offers 21 dining atelier setup. “In France, an atelier is an artist’s special workshop, and in Spiral it is where secret recipes are masterfully prepared right before your very eyes”. For more information, you may visit their official website.

 

 

P.S.

Dear good old friend, first of all - mabuti naman at short hair ka na ulit the last time na nakasalubong kita :p... I can still remember how we started our food trips with those cheap BBQ food stalls along Evangelista St. (isaw, paa, betamax), deep-fried chicken sa nangingitim na mantika, instant pancit canton+maling ‘pag paubos na ang sweldo. And when we career-shifted to Software Engineering, finally na-afford na nating magpaka-high blood sa sisig ng Giligan’s at unli-Chicken ng Max’s. Nandyan ding matabunan ang 6-pack abs kaka-Jonah’s shake (FTW!) sa Boracay. At na-confine ka na’t naoperahan ay nakuha pa rin nating mag-food trip sa baba ng Makati Med (Pizza Hut, Seattle’s Best). Na-miss ko na rin mag-ihaw-ihawan sa Sambo Kojin. But on one of our last, I was amazed how we significantly leveled up when we finally conquered the most sosyal of them all - Sofitel Spiral!

We have really gone a long way… from bangketa to hotel, from turu-turo to fine dining, from Manila to Boracay, and from the best of friends to strangers (to friends again?)… Many things have changed, things that can never be the same again. But I learned that everything happens for a reason. For now, I’m just glad that when I was writing this blog post, it was more of the good memories and smiles that flashed back on the surface… [Belated] HAPPY BIRTHDAY my good old friend, this entry is for you. Kung nasaan ka man, I hope you’re doing well. Take good care of yourself and God bless you ^_^.

My friend Paul who works in Eastwood has been bugging me for some time to try this less than a year old smokeless yakiniku style buffet. I was a bit hesitant but when I googled it, all it returned are consistent positive reviews despite its young age; something must be right. And so we tried it for P595 per head to kill our curiosity.

When a waiter offered us rice, I told Paul to get my part. I actually avoid it because of my fitness goal. But when I tried a bit...

Rating: Exceeds Expectations
To Return? While I was writing this, I suddenly had this desire to go back here one of these days. So definitely, it's a Yes! (lalo na kung may manlilibre hihi)

I was a bit surprised to know that there's a newly opened branch of Tokyo Cafe in SM Megamall. Glad to know they're now expanding. Japanese food is not my favorite; but hey, this isn't just another sushi house! In fact, they don't have sushi. Most of the food here are Western but are cooked the Japanese way.