Vikings Luxury Buffet at San Miguel by The Bay

While walking our dogs at San Miguel by the Bay, we noticed a big establishment about to open.  It looked big and grand.  We then saw its sign Viking and checked its Facebook page.  There it was stated that if we liked its fan page we get 10% off.  They also had a limited time (only until April 30,2011) promo of 20% for its grand opening.

My family was very eager to go.  But I couldn't come with them since it was my finals week.  That night, all of them came home full and happy and told me the selections were even better than Spirals.  They were even very satisfied with the service.

Near the end of the promo period, it was our turn to try it.  We walked-in with no reservations at 5:30 p.m.  We noticed as we were led to our seats that most tables were already reserved.  Upon being seated, we were introduced to our server.  So we started out buffet and asked for our server to get us some drinks,  Four Season juice.  It tasted like Del Monte.

We started with the sushi bar and took every variety available.  We preferred the taste of the non-colored ones.  What were the green and red ones called anyway?  Although the Salmon Sashimi is not dispalyed with the other sashimi and sushi, you can request it from the chef at the counter.  Their salmon sashimi is fresh and sliced perfectly.

Century Eggs

Dimsum Plate

We heard that one the owners of Vikings is also the owner of the President Restaurant so we expected their dimsum selections to be good.  Their dimsum selections were Chicken Feet, Shark's Fin Dumplings and Japanese Siomai (wrapped in seaweed).  They were good but nothing extraordinary.  We also got some Century Eggs.

French Onion Soup

Spinach Soup

Cream of Potato

We tried all the soups available: French Onion Soup, Spinach Soup and Cream of Potato.  I felt lucky that night because French Onion Soup was my favorite.  Their version was delicious.  It was served with a big chunk of croutons and cheese.  It was so flavorful with the right amount of cheese.  The Spinach Soup was okay.  Their Cream of Potato was also very good.

For the main dish, we decided to taste everything that looked interesting.  We skipped the shabu-shabu section and the kiddie section that served mini-burgers, spaghetti and sandwhiches.  We had Tempura Shrimps, Roast Beef, Lamb Chops, Kebabs, Paella, Waldorf Salad, Fish Sticks, Calamares and Onion Rings.   I loved Onion rings but don't enjoy calamares so Kurt was laughing really hard when I mistakenly mistook the Calamares for Onion Rings.  How about you?  Don't you think they looked alike?  But the Fish Sticks, Calamares and the Onion Rings were soggy so they weren't crunchy as we expected.  The tempura was good but it were not tiger prawns.

While roaming around for food, I noticed that some tables had oreo shakes so I asked our waiter if we could order that too.  I cannot believe that they serve oreo shakes.  I love oreos!  If only I wasn't already full I would've ordered this twice.

The large slices of Roast beef and lamb chops, made us quite full so we decided to take a break and try the Mediterranean section and the cheese section.  The had Pitas (round flat bread), Hummus (mashed chickpeas) and Baba Ganoush (mashed eggplant).  I forgot what the orange dip was called.  We got a variety of cheese, liver pate and a slice of French Bread and a Cracker.  We liked the round blue cheese the most.  We also took some Devilled Eggs and some dish with salmon.

We went to the fresh seafood section and requested them to be cooked and delivered to our table.  We had a Red Crab and Baked Mussels and Oysters.  We were surprised that the crab only came in half but we were already full anyway so we didn't request for another one.  Then the waitress approached us and asked if we wanted Bamboo shells and clams and we accepted.  

In the pizza section, there was already a pre-made pizza or you could create your own pizza.  You just have to scoop out from the ingredients and put them in a plate and have the pizza delivered to your table.  I was so excited to make my pizza masterpiece that I started to scoop ingredients into the plate: capers,pesto, olives, peperoni and tomato.  After around 15 minutes, my slice of pizza came.  It was too salty and sour that it was almost inedible.  I guess next time I'll leave the pizza making to the experts.

Because of my pizza masterpiece, I drank all my oreo shake and was looking for another drink.  So Kurt went to the fruit section and took slices of watermelon and requested it to be shaked.

We were also full and could no longer it so we decided it was time for desert.  I happily stood up and gathered all I can for the both of us.  We loved the Ecclairs.  It was delicious.  The cream puffs was okay but it was small and looked like it was in halves.

Although they had an ice cream station and chocolate fountain, we opted for the healtier option: Frozen Yogurt.  They had their own yogurt machine!  There was a plain yogurt which kurt choose, strawberry yogurt or plain-strawberry yogurt.  I chose the plain-strawberry yogurt.  I was very delicious.  It was neither too sweet not tangy.

After eating so much, we just had to drink a warm cup of coffee.  Studies show that when you drink warm coffee or tea after a meal will prevent the grease from rising to the top of the food in your stomach and being absorbed first. 

Overall, the dining experience was worth it.  Despite the limited choices, the food was enjoyable.  The price was very reasonable for 888 php which already includes drinks.  Did I mention that they also have unlimited beer?  We even saw an old lady filling her mug to her hearts content.  The kiddie section and the frozen yogurt was a good innovative idea.  Their restroom even had kiddie toilets which was cute.

We were so delighted with Vikings that we recommended it to everyone.  However, recently, we have been receiving mixed comments.  Some say that food replenishment could not keep up with the demands of its customers even if you arrive early.  My sister visited there for lunch and they were told that the choices during lunch was more limited compared to the dinner buffet.   How about you? Care to share your dining experience?

Vikings Luxury-Buffet Manila
Bldg. B, By The Bay, Seaside Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia,
Pasay City, Philippines

846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888

 



    

Bloggers Fest Thunderbird Resort April 16, 2011

• Bus Pick-up point at Makati City to Thunderbirds Resort.

          We arrived at the pick-up location at 9:20 a.m.  By that time the first bus was already packed and ready to leave.  We waited together with other bloggers for the other buses and vans.  After 20 minutes, a tourist van arrived and we were asked to ride there.  After a couple of hours and a few curvy roads, we arrived at Thunderbirds Resort in Binangonan Rizal.  

• Arrival at Event Center Thunderbirds Resort (11:00 a.m)

          Upon arrival, we registered at the front desk.  We were each given 100-php worth of Casino Tickets and an environment bag with a freebies.  We entered the elegant event center with chandeliers and color changing crystal lightings and left our belongings at our chosen seats.  We had our photos taken for free at the Baicapture photobooth just outside the room.  At around 1 p.m. the program started by giving away free Thunderbirds Resort T-shirts and Kurt was one of the raffle winners.  Then we were shown an introductory video of Thunderbirds Resort.  To our surprise, the place looks big and nice but we never had the opportunity to roam around and actually see its beauty.  Afterwards, the hotel manager Mr. Williams gave the opening speech and declared the lunch buffet open.

• Lunch Buffet

Kurt's Lunch

           The long buffet offered fresh salads with 2 dressings, pasta with white sauce, cream of vegetable soup with broccoli and carrot bits, fish fillet, boiled mix vegetables, roast chicken and rice. At the end of the table, there were fresh fruits and and leche flan.  Waiters roamed around serving ice tea and water.  They were also quick and attentive that they collected our plates as soon as we finished.  

• Awarding of the Extra Ordinary Online Video Contest 

          We were shown 7 videos: 1 Favorite Video Award, 1 Grand Winner and 5 Consolation for Most-liked Video.  We really liked the inspirational idea of the Grand Winner and also commend the winner for the favorite video award.  But we only liked 2 out of 5 most-liked videos.  

• Speakers and Short Seminars (We missed some because we went to the Casino...)

1. Blogging 101 by Azreal Coladilla and Sharing your story through personal blogging by Mica

         We used to think that a blog should only have one topic and we could never decide on which to pick.  But seeing Azreal's and Mica's examples, we were convinced that if others could do it so could we.

          

      2.  Blogging and writing with SEO in mind by Jonel Uy and How to Write Awesome Blog Posts by Fitz

          When we saw Jonel on stage, we thought he looked familiar.  (Coincidentally, we rode the same jeep to the meet-up location with him)  Although his topic sounded the most intriguing among all topics, the talk was merely introductory.  Since both of us are not writers, we found Fitz tips on writing really useful.  

      3.  Domain and DNS Management for your blogs by JP and How to Secure your Blog from Hacking 

           Both talks made us aware of two areas we never cared about before.  We should allocate some of our spare time in learning more about them. 

Stacy's Losing Entry for the Food Blog Workshop

• Break Time with Dunkin Donuts and Workshop 

           During break time a variety of Dunkin Donuts were served.  Stacy mistakenly took a chocolate filled donut thinking it was mocha just like in Country Style.  Kurt picked his favorite: Strawberry-filled donut.  Then Stacy joined the Food blogging workshop while Kurt chose Photography.  Kurt tells Stacy that the problem with her entry photo is that it was too far to be enticing.  What do you think?

• The Fiesta Casino and After-Effect

Our Free Fiesta Cash Ticket

           We extended our break time by going to the Fiesta Casino just beside the event center.  It was surprisingly crowded.  Stacy chose a slot machine and lost her entire 100-php worth Casino in about 3 minutes.  On the other hand, Kurt was able to cash out 900 php.  But he felt this urge to go back and bet again because he feels that he could earn around thousands more.  So he came back entered his 100 php encashed bill and lost it in just a few clicks.  As soon as we came back to the event center, Kurt was still talking about the Casino and how he could still win more money.  He kept on talking about it even while we were in the bus.  He says I should never let him go to the casino again.

• Unlucky Raffle and Departure

           We could have sworn that there were nearly a hundred raffle prizes given during the last part of the event but unfortunately we never got picked.  At the Casino or even at the raffle, Stacy didn't win anything.  We noticed there were only a few of us who didn't win anything while others won more than 3 times.  At around 7 p.m., all the raffle prizes were disposed of and we all took a group picture.  We quickly went out, rode the bus to Makati City. 

• Remarks

          Overall, the event was a success.  Everything was well-organized despite it being free.  We scheduled a lot to be able to attend and it was worth it.  This event also marks the beginning of our blog.