BUFFET 101 International Cuisine

It's my Mama's birthday so it's a good excuse to try Buffet 101. It was a last minute decision because we've already decided to eat at Red Crab Alimango House at Lucky Chinatown Mall since we've never been there. Good thing I made my parents change their minds. I lured them with the word BUFFET, of course. Haha!

I immediately asked Padol Dear (my Papa) if we could get to Robinson's Magnolia in an hour. Turns out that we could get there in 40 minutes, with traffic. Their lunch buffet starts at 11am and ends until 2pm according to their reply at Facebook. However, we were there until 2:30 so I guess they take their breaks at 3PM instead. We arrived at around 1PM and seriously got ourselves full in an hour and a half - with time-outs! :))

The place is humongous! OA lang. But seriously, it can accommodate more than a hundred guests. They have huge chandeliers and elegant ornaments that brought the 5-star hotel feel. The ambiance is truly inviting and it sports all critical features of a luxurious restaurant. They offer Filipino, Chinese (family fave), Italian, Japanese, Korean, American, Thai dishes, and more. According to them, they have around 250 dishes. Imagine that!

Elegant chandeliers

Outside

On with the buffet show-off! Sorry for the ugly shots. I am no photographer. Hah! And I'm still not comfortable taking photos of food in public. Someday. *pinky swear*

Japanese Station. Too bad none of us eats sushi, sashimi, maki, and the like.

THIS! Japanese Rice and Chicken Teriyaki

Unlimited Tempura!

We don't eat raw food so we sticked to the Japanese Rice, which is somewhat flavorful. It's the only rice I tasted so I don't know how to compare it with the others. What's best is the Tempura! It's fresh and not oily at all. It tastes best with their Tempura Sauce.

Chicken and Fries

Finger Foods

The missing wedges landed on my plate.

Salads in Shot Glasses, Cheese for your salad, more appetizers

Korean

I wanted more of these. It's quite good but I'm already full. 

Lapu-Lapu in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Porkchop Steak, Tortillos Roll, Fish Fillet

That Daing is super crispy! Pork sisig, American BBQ

Crab Cakes, Sake Halaan, Fresh Seafood for Grilling

Live Suahe

Hot Pot Station, Peking Duck

Knowing how our family adores food, we truly enjoyed all the dishes that we've tried here. We are fans of sweet dishes so we loved the Spare Ribs in Peach Sauce the most. Not to mention the Asado and Crispy Pork Liempo. (Pork dishes as usual) I also saw dishes with Tausi. They looked scrumptious but too overwhelming so I didn't add some on my plate. My eyes are so busog!

We also recommend the Penne Pasta. We didn't get to try their Angus Beef 'cause our tummies are already full. You just have to approach their station and ask them an order of certain dishes and then they will deliver it at your table. You just can't try all their dishes at once. This is why their customers keep coming back to try out their best dishes.

DRINKS: Aside from Pepsi products, juices, and teas, they also offer fruit shakes. They have Papaya and Watermelon on this day. They also have beer. Hmm? Yes. Drink all-you-can.

And coffee, too.

For desserts, they have Red Ribbon cakes and several flavors of ice cream. My not-so-little sister had three rounds of mango ice cream. You can also enjoy their crepes and waffles. Their crew will make them in front of you. They also have a variety of mousses, mini cakes, creme brulé, halo-halo, jellies, tarts, candies, fresh fruits, etc. (End of Thinking Capacity)

Mousse, Panna Cotta, Pudding, Tiramisu

Custard Puff, Pavlova, Creme Brule

Fondue Station

Fresh Fruits

Halo-Halo Station

Love the truffles!

Mini Delights

Cheesecakes and Jellies (some has fresh fruit in it)

Orange Cheesecake

Tarts (right: Banoffee Tart)

My 1st Plate: Shrimp Tempura, Japanese Rice, Spare Ribs in Peach Sauce, (forgot what Broccoli dish is this), Sauteed Pork with Baguio Beans, Deep Fried Burger Patty, Egg Salad

2nd: Hawaiian Pizza, Seafood Pizza with Wasabi Mayo Sauce, Spicy Salmon, Buttered Potatoes, Stuffed Tofu, Pork Asado, Pork Liempo

There's always room for DESSERTSSS!

Again, I am so easy to please. Just show me a dish with red sauce and I'll be happy to take a spoon and dig in. You may think this is why I am so impressed with Buffet 101 but trust me, eating here is not just for someone who's not picky with their food. It's impossible for you to not like more than 5 dishes here. I already loved more than 10 and it's just my first visit. I wonder what I'll get to taste on the next one.

Ang SWEAT! Haha

Cheers Mama! Happy Birthday! I love you!

My family indeed enjoyed the delectable dishes, not to mention the desserts. It was sulit after all!

Whew. Photo story DONE.

Buffet 101 International Cuisine 

Robinson's Magnolia 

Aurora Blvd. corner Dona M.Hemady street, 

New Manila. Quezon City 

961-22-99

SM Mall of Asia Complex, Bldg K, Seaside BlvdManila Bay Reclamation Area, Pasay(02) 556-2888

INSTAGIG - Radio Republic

Soooooo, after the BGC Eats Food Tour, the HoHo bus dropped us at 9th Ave where InstaGig is about to begin. It's a free OPM concert featuring Jennifer Blair-Bianco, Pulso, Maude, Taken By Cars, Yolanda Moon, Quest, Moonwlk, Sky Marines and UP DHARMA DOWN!

It was hosted by Radio Republic together with Bonifacio High Street and Kopiko. The coolest thing about it (aside from Armi), is that they used a truck and converted it into a mini stage where the mentioned bands performed. It was hosted by Zach Lucero and (insert her name here). Haha I just can't remember her name. Honestly, I am not much into OPM these days (or should I say, YEARS.) so I don't really know any of them, except for UDD.

First on stage was Jennifer Blair-Bianco. I don't know her at all but I'm glad to have listened to a few of her songs. She has a very sweet and soothing voice, enough to serenade the entire crowd. We may not know what she's singing but we were a bit quiet while she performed and we're just giving side comments of how her voice is so fine. On her last song, she was joined by her husband, David Bianco. They make such a great couple. I just had to say that. 

I don't recall which band performed after them but I think it was Moonwlk. I didn't misspell that, promise. We were introduced to Nick and Gabbi. Gabbi was actually sitting near the stage the whole time and we were wondering who she was. She was wearing a kinda-office attire so we thought she was just there with one of the crew or bands. I should say that her voice is so simple and clean but when the guy member, Nick, jumped in and sang, we were disappointed. His voice is kinda pilit for us and it didn't really match Gabbi's soulful voice. Sorry not sorry.

From what I remembered after the first two performances, I only enjoyed Maude and Yolanda Moon. Other than that, we patiently waited for Up Dharma Down's turn. It was 9ish when they were called up. This was also the only time when the crowd went near the stage and actually participated. 

Yolanda Moon

Maude

Up Dharma Down

Armi's voice is solid! It was like listening to a recording rather than live. They are indeed one of the most well-respected artists in the country because they can deliver great music! The crowd adored them so much including me, Cyril, and Rocky (who joined us after the tour).

They performed 5 songs including Luna, their newest song premiered on radio and music channels. After UDD, we took off together with I think half of the crowd. I felt bad for the next bands. 

It was a tiring day but rewarding at the same time. Two events, both for FREE! Vacation leave well spent. 

Oh, we also get to take a picture with Armi earlier.

Sorry for the photos. We didn't have enough energy to get into the crowd and bump shoulders with everyone just to get perfect shots. Booooo. :D

Of course, we ended the night with another meal. This time, at Teriyaki Boy. We just can't afford to look for a new place to dine since all of us are starving and tired. 

Thanks Cyril! Couldn't have experienced this without you. :) 'Til next!