The Ambiance at 3 Spoons Restaurant

Our thought of the day was: “three spoons are in the air”. As it turned out that was true every time food was involved or whenever we acknowledged our site. 

The actual location of the Sunday brunch is about 300 m (circa 985 feet) high. What is more, the panoramic view of the city isn’t obstructed because InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 is the highest hotel in Hanoi. As you can imagine the feel is airy because of the window wall and tall ceilings. Furnishing in pleasing earthy hues provides the perfect balance to the 3 Spoons Restaurant. Not only are calming colors important for the grounding effect but they also shape the effortless elegance of the interior design. 

Drinks at 3 Spoons

The drinks menu at the 3 Spoons is full of different sorts of spirits, aperitifs wine, beer, and sochu. We liked their signature drinks and innocent cocktails that go very well with healthy smoothies. Keep in mind that all of the above isn’t included in the price of the all-you-can-eat buffet. However, for our Sunday brunch, we got a glass of sparkling wine and a free flow of provided beverages including tea and coffee. 

Sunday Brunch

Every first Sunday of the month comes with a unique theme and plethora of food. No matter what is the topic of the Sunday brunch the favorites of Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese cuisine and French-inspired desserts are a sure thing. Otherwise, the menu at the 3 Spoons serves dishes from different Asian cuisines and some Italian favorites. Our luck draw got us a “New Orleans” theme, so the jazz vibe with seafood is very much expected.

Stellar Seafood 

In our case, New Orleans inspired many dishes and the seafood station shined in its glory, along with the famous oysters Bienville. These baked oysters with cheese, peppers, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs were our winners. Of course, we have to mention the Osetra En-K de caviar everyone got at the table for obvious reasons. Then there was more fresh and cooked seafood at the InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 buffet. We are talking about lobsters, crabs, shrimp piles, oysters on the ice, a neat display of sushi and sashimi, and much more.

Cold Cuts got a Room

A paradise for all expats can be found in two rooms. One room was filled with all sorts of fine cuts that startled our wildest dreams. Think of thinly sliced prosciutto, mortadella, braciola, salami and so on. Next to countless meaty cuts was also a bread station with prepared sandwiches. On the side, we also found some pickles, grilled vegetables, and sauces.

Cheese

The other room was all about cheese! It really is cheesy to offer more than 30 different types of cheese from all over the world. It is a safe bet that Landmark 72 InterContinental has the largest charcuterie board in Hanoi. Anyways, cheese lovers will find soft and hard cheese made of goat, sheep, and cow milk with different aging times. On the big table, we also found dried fruit, nuts, and a large honeycomb bursting with honey.

Here all I can say is, “hats off to Landmark 72”. They truly have the most exclusive French cheese offer here in Hanoi and if you are a cheese lover (like, who isn’t?), this is your avenue. A collection like this would make proud every European hotel, not only Asian. Great job!

Salad Bar

Lovely greens and different vegetables had a place in the heart of 3 Spoons restaurant. Actually, the vegetarian dishes weren’t placed only at the well-stocked salad bar but were scattered around the brunch set. Here and there kitchen staff provided some creative and tasty salads and left plenty of room for improvisations.

Open Kitchen

3 stars of the open kitchen are staples at the Landmark 72 InterContinental 3 Spoons Restaurant. Each cuisine has a station with a chef to help you with freshly prepared samples. It is difficult to say what was where, because there was so much. Although, we are sure we found classics and favorites from Vietnamese, Chinese, and Italian cuisines. We loved dumplings and pizza with a generous cut of roast. Here we must also mention the delicious Pho. Whatever we tasted was spot on and we loved every bite. We want to say we tried everything, but that was impossible.

Sweets

Everything looked extremely appealing and as it turned out, looks weren’t deceiving. We liked the shiny cakes and tiny morsels but the orange panna cotta was out of this world. Of course, we loved all the chocolate sweets and ice cream. Let’s not forget about the black forest tarts that added crunch to the moist filling. Not far from them was perfectly caramelized upside-down apple cake with succulent apples and a soft base that melted away in our mouths.

Tables filled with sweets and I am talking about delicious sweets. I couldn’t even think on any missing dessert in this vast offer. The great match to finish these sweets is Vietnamese coffee of course. We love it and they serve it here very nicely.

Final Thought

Generally speaking, we really enjoyed Sunday brunch at the 3 Spoons at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72. Whatever we tasted was delicious and cooked to perfection. We must admit that we spent quite some time with the aged meaty treats and in the cheese room. After all how often does one stumble upon such an abundant offer?

Now the greatest mystery of them all is “which is the best brunch in Hanoi?”. Well, everyone knows that Sofitel Metropole Buffet is one of a kind and has the title of being the best brunch in Hanoi for a long time but… Here is a new player in the town and they took this crunching culture quite seriously. Ingredients here are truly special and the food does taste really good. For us, this is the new king of the brunch and there is nothing bad about it. The competition is good! Just make sure there will be no food waste on those brunches!

Intercontinental Hanoi Brunch Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.7/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.7/10
• 9.6/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.6/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.6/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.6/10
• 9.5/10
  VALUE – 9.5/10

Price and Location

The price of the Sunday brunch varies regarding the theme. In our case, there was a lot of seafood and the price reflected its high quality. At a cost of approximately 80 USD per person, we toasted to loads of different dishes with a glass of sparkling wine. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation.

The post InterContinental Hanoi Brunch Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa Ambiance

Wherever we stepped we admired artistic touch reinforced with wood combining the colonial charm with Vietnamese authenticity. We loved the sunny exterior of buildings inspired by the fishing village and manicured green surfaces. Of course, the pool with the ocean view is unforgettable, but we fell in love with the airy dining room with the green patch in the middle. One can enjoy all-day dining at the L’Annam Restaurant even though you might not be a resident of this fabulous beachside resort. 

Sunday Brunch Buffet at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort

In the center of L’Annam Restaurant was a large display of various dishes fit to please a number of picky eaters. We loved the neat display of bite-size morsels although the local specialties in clay pots were equally delightful. As if that alone wasn’t enough, the local duo stimulated the cheerful sensations. 

Cold Cuts & Cheese

Attention, charcuterie board lovers. On top of a constantly replenished tray of about nine different cheeses, we got a fair taste of the melted raclette cheese wheel. It is difficult to say which one was our favorite, although the nuttiness of melted cheese was memorable. A fair amount of high-quality meaty slices also spoiled our tastebuds. In addition to that, we loved the house-made liver pate with all its unique seasonings. 

French Finest

Fans of celestial French Cuisine will be happy about quite a few dishes. We certainly appreciated the onion tart and tender roasted beef with luscious mashed potatoes. Then again, the fish rillette was a treat in itself. It was well balanced with seasonings so that the texture and taste showed their finest side. 

Asian Picks

Brunch time in Hoi An wouldn’t be complete without fried rice with vegetables and seafood. Those of you who are looking for crabs and oysters let us calm you. You’ll find plenty of such classics at Victoria Resort Hoi An. Even though it is grand to overindulge in fresh seafood our hearts sang when we were eating succulent crabcake with refreshing herbal salad and avocado. Then again mango salad seasoned with more than just ginger, shallot, chili, basil, and sesame seeds, was to die for. At this point, we must also mention surprisingly fruity tomato chutney with delicate tuna. 

Desserts

The beautiful layout of French desserts was irresistible and they tasted even better than they looked. Truly, it is tricky to show the creaminess of the chocolate cake. In fact, we got seconds of this mouthwatering treat despite full tummies. We also liked the Parisian flan and mango mousse where mango came in different forms. What we weren’t fond of were rather chewy macarons and somewhat eggy crème brulee. 

Final Thought

The beachfront location of the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa is one of the advantages resulting in wonderful views. The luck of Cua Dai beach restaurants changed in recent years but at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa the efforts to fight the beach erosion paid off. Thanks to their dedication, the Victoria Resort is a popular spot for visitors to retreat from the crowded town. Sunday brunch isn’t popular only with the house guests but also ex-pats who want to make their Sundays special.

We were positively surprised after this delicious brunch. It is sad to see a fine town like Hoi An lacking brunch buffet offers, but on the other hand, one or two good are enough. We will celebrate Sunday here at Victoria Resorts & Spas again, for sure.

Victoria Hoi An Buffet Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.4/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.4/10
• 9.5/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.3/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.3/10
• 9.5/10
  VALUE – 9.5/10

Price & Location

Before you unleash your appetite you can decide whether or not you want to include a free flow of drinks or not. An unlimited supply of beer and soft drinks will cost you a little less than 35 USD per person, while an endless supply of sparkling wine costs less than 43 USD.

The post Victoria Hoi An Buffet appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

How We Rate Buffets?

Probably you are asking how can you trust us with the rating? Let’s just say we are 100% foodies with a rare condition called – honesty. If something doesn’t meet our expectations we share our thoughts, because there is no time for bull****. Our buffet reviews have six criteria, scaling from 0 to 10. These are atmosphere, food offer, presentation, service, food taste and value. If I would say picking the best buffet here in Kuala Lumpur is an easy job I would lie. The offer is huge and various. After all, we can easily title KL as a buffet metropolis. So, I hope we helped you a bit with our selection. Shall we?

Mandarin Oriental Mosaic Buffet

The Mandarin Oriental Mosaic buffet menu is enormous and is, in fact, one huge mosaic of food. We have to start with their sweets tucked away in a separate room, just to warn you not to look at them before you give a chance to the savories. If you give in, we guarantee you’ll have to return to the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. Worth mentioning is the largest seafood selection in town and plenty of vegetarian dishes. Naturally, you’ll find Malay, Indian and Chinese stations, soups, BBQ, a roast station, a live pasta station, a selection of western food, a noodle soup station, and more. 

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

High end gourmands and special occasions

Grand Hyatt – High on Sugar

A walking distance from Mosaic restaurant is the Grand Hyatt with a trendy THIRTY8 restaurant. Here they serve some sort of hybrid between high tea and buffet. We simply enjoyed their signature afternoon tea buffet with savories on call and sweets on display. Here we must applaud them for delicious food, plus the 360-degree view from the 38th floor is just a cherry on top. On top of that, there were plenty of options to choose from.

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

All sweet walkers and high tea enthusiasts

Sizzling Sundays BBQ @ Man Tao, Hotel Stripes

Only on Sundays, one can enjoy the intimate BBQ buffet by the pool on top of the Stripes Hotel at Man Tao. As expected, the atmosphere is very relaxing, spiced with western-style dishes. Food options are adequate enough for any fussy eater, although you can revisit the favorites anytime. We couldn’t get enough of their cute mini burgers paired with roasted root vegetables. Here we must add that meat-free options were slightly lacking, albeit the BBQ is about the sizzling meat. Certainly, this Kuala Lumpur BBQ buffet offers a different spin and is all about the enjoyment of life.

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

Casual Sunday BBQ feast

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet 

Kwee Zeen restaurant at Sofitel Damansara Hotel certainly shines for Sunday brunch; at least we witnessed that. On other days lunch and dinner buffet are open for the voracious public, where you’ll find a worldwide array of dishes with an emphasis on French delicacies. With that being said, cheese and bread lovers will adore the selection, which is the biggest as we experienced. We loved the gluten-free corner and healthier options like prawn guacamole and roasted green asparagus, to name a few. Sofitel Damansara Buffet is certainly one of the best buffet options here in KL!

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

Cheese lovers and gourmands in general

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet Review

The Nook restaurant’s contemporary design serves as a vibrant background to the dishes from all corners of the world. Our favorite part of this Aloft Kuala Lumpur buffet was the light appetizers and Malay classics. The savory offer is big, especially when it comes to the Italian classics. However, the dessert section has room for improvement. Keep in mind that the buffet offer is changing and available for breakfast and dinner.

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

Playful folk and casual meetings

Majestic Kuala Lumpur Buffet Review

This Kuala Lumpur buffet has the most comfortable seats. To be more specific, the sofa is the one you will refuse to leave after the “all you can eat” experience. What we can say about the food is that savories outperform sweets. We were particularly pleased with a wide array of Pan-Asian dishes, especially Japanese soups and Indian open kitchen. For those looking for western flavors, we can calm you that you’ll find the most beloved classics like pizza, pasta, and so on. The sweet finish was most enjoyable with cakes and bowl desserts. Majestic Kuala Lumpur Buffet is a classic!

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

Heritage hotels lovers and bigger groups

Royal Chulan Hotel, Bunga Emas Restaurant

Bunga Emas Restaurant has to be the best option for tasting genuine Malay cuisine. Given the modest number of dishes, we were able to try all and are happy to report that everything tasted great. Most of all, we remembered the Rendang Daging at this Kuala Lumpur buffet. The best thing is that the food had a homemade feel to it, plus the Malay food tag added a mysterious oriental charm to the experience. That is especially true for the local desserts, which couldn’t be more different from Western sweets.

This Buffet Outlet is best for:

Everyone who would like to taste genuine Malay cuisine

Conclusion

And we are at the end of our best buffet in Kuala Lumpur article. I hope we helped you a bit with your choice for the next buffet in this all-you-can-eat city. However, in pandemic times, some outlets don’t offer buffet options, so please check before your reservation. However, if you are a high tea lover like us, than check our best high tea in Kuala Lumpur article.

The post The Best Buffet in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance

The futuristic setting of the Nook restaurant appears airy and uplifting. Spirits are lifted with intense colors, and lighting, which add the playful element. Personally, we like the easy navigation and excess of space around the buffet.

Drinks

One can quench thirst with free flow of four chilled beverages, or check Nook’s menu. We especially liked water infusions, lemon & cucumber, and apple & watermelon. In addition to that, tea and coffee are also in an endless supply for the duration of the Aloft buffet. Let it flow!

The Food at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet

An abundant variety of dishes is set to make vegetarians content, but the omnivores are in for the treat. Regardless of your diet, you’ll find plenty of options to test your belly’s capacity. Chances are you’ll find yourself overindulging into the traditional Malay dishes if not in international ones. We like the balance between the classics and ingenious bites, which makes Aloft buffet Kuala Lumpur more exciting.

Appetizers

Creative appetizers are our favorite part of the Nook buffet at Aloft KL Sentral. For this reason, we kept returning for compressed watermelon with feta cheese and artichokes with sautéed onions. Both were mouthwatering and shared the pleasing sweetness that was highlighted with light seasonings.

Salads

On the salad aisle, we found the combination of thick mayonnaise dressing on the apple & orange salad the most enjoyable. After all, that doesn’t mean other salads weren’t thoughtfully put together. Notably, the most fulfilling one was the chicken salad with chickpeas, beans, and black olives.

To point out, part of the self-service salad bar was a mixture of leafy greens with classic and more daring dressings. We customized it with tuna tartare in a tasty marinade with shallots.

Cold Cuts & Cheese

Next to the salads, we found smoked salmon and cured belly, while Camembert, Gorgonzola, and Cheddar cheese were right next to the freshly baked bread, nuts, and butter. However, the cheese selection outnumbered the modest collection of cold cuts. It wouldn’t hurt if there would be a bit bigger offer.

Seafood

Those looking for ocean taste, we advise walking around, to discover the daily seafood offer. We found whole black mussels and prawns on the ice, while tuna tartare and smoked salmon were only a few steps away.

Soup

Soup section spoiled us with sweet corn soup that had a generous amount of coconut milk in it. This creamy soup was incredibly rich in all its simplicity. On the other hand, more complex and completely different was the clear herbal chicken soup with vegetables.

To our surprise, we found the creamy mushroom soup to be the mildest tasting. Surprisingly enough, but it is possible that the mushrooms weren’t the strongest tasting bunch since they lacked the desired umami flavor.

Noodle Corner

Asia is crazy about noodles, and Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet is no different here. For the first time in our travel around Malaysia, we come across the Sarawak laksa. We liked the fragrant herbal base with medium heat thinned down with coconut milk and chicken stock. In addition, the bounty of add-ons included vegetables, fish balls, prawns, tofu, and four different rice noodles. Among them, we picked a traditional Sarawak laksa option – thin rice vermicelli noodles.

Besides Sarawak laksa, we also tried vegetable broth, chicken broth, and prawn mee. They were decent but didn’t satisfy our hedonistic souls. Kind staff complied with our desire for tiny portions, which is a good idea if you want to try as much different food as possible.

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Mains

The international array of mains present Malay classics in strong light, but it doesn’t outnumber the western style dishes. In general, the food was tasty, even though as time goes by, the quality declined.

For this reason, the chef tackled a problem by creating some hardy items, like thick lamb stew or vegetable dhal. Additionally, there is also Italian (pizza and pasta) and satay live station, to maximize the freshness.

Desserts

Fine looking sweets were neatly displayed on the dessert aisle. Some were bite-sized, others ready to be cut as pleased. Cubes of moist opera cake and Malay Kuih were a handy bite on the go for seconds, but tiny cupcakes and peanut butter cakes were best next to the coffee.

However, the majority of the desserts did disappoint as we could taste the powdery additions. Among all, we liked the creamy coconut panna cotta and coffee brulee the most.

Everyone should try local specialties; the refreshing sweet lotus seed soup and the popular Ais Kacang, known as the shredded ice. We really liked the board with the guidelines so anyone could make the proper version of it.

Conclusion

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet is a playful buffet where you can try local and international specialties and classics. The offer is big and the quality of the savory bites is good. However, the dessert section has room for improvement. After all, the sweet kick makes the biggest impression. Or are we spoiled from the unforgettable Mandarin Oriental Buffet? Nope, sweet standards should be high!

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet Review Card

• 9.3/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/10
• 9.2/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.2/10
• 9.3/10
  SERVICE – 9.3/10
• 9.1/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.1/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

Price & Location

Kuala Lumpur Nook Buffet at Aloft hotel is possible every day for breakfast (6:00 am -10:30 am), lunch (12:00 pm – 2:30 noon), and dinner (6:30 pm – 10:30 pm). Here is a link to the Aloft Sentral for easier navigation to your buffet.

The post Aloft Kuala Lumpur Buffet Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Ambiance at The Kwee Zeen Restaurant

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet is served at their chic Kwee Zeen Restaurant. We love the playful details like a black metal shelving, a few large spotlights here and there, and removable leather sofa covers by the big tables.

All of the above and more keep the spacious Kwee Zeen Restaurant a casual place you feel good at. Also, the spacious contemporary design keeps everybody moving freely. Without a doubt, you’ll easily navigate around the self-service buffet table, desserts aisle, and find a way to the secluded cheese zone effortlessly.

Food Offer at The Kwee Zeen Restaurant – Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara

All-day dining at Kwee Zeen for people with insatiable appetite starts with morning buffet, followed by the lunch buffet and ends with a dinner buffet. In case you miss the all-you-can-eat or just aren’t into self-service, you can order from the Kwee Zeen Ala Card Menu.

The menu lists pan-Asian and western classics with desserts and breakfast sections. Worth extra mention is their De-Light part in the Kwee Zeen menu. As the name De-Light indicates, the dishes are healthy and have listed their calorie value. Our meal to go is their luxurious Cést La Vie Sunday Brunch.

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet Cést La Vie Sunday Brunch

Our time at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur was just right for a brunch buffet known as the Cést La Vie Sunday Brunch at Kwee Zeen Restaurant. In short, we can say it was full of thoughtfully prepared dishes that cover all possible cravings looking for Asian and Western tastes, French in particular.

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet Starters

The first table we circled around was the one with an abundant collection of cold dishes, including five different seafood on ice and numerous vegetable deals. If you think salads are boring, think again because at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara you can spice things up effortlessly. Go wild, create unique dishes bite to bite.

Sea Time

There is no need to point your appetite just into the oysters and crabs. Meet their neighbors and take advantage of tuning already tasty dishes to your taste. Why wouldn’t you want to season succulent prawn guacamole with roasted green asparagus?

Go crazy and make a bite of Caprese salad and cold cuts. In case you want to start the feast with something warm, you can turn around and have some soup. We can confirm that both roasted pumpkin and double-boiled old cucumber soup were just wonderful.

Bread and Cheese at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet

Cow and goat cheese collection is well put together and presents strong to mild tastes. You’ll certainly find a few kinds of cheese to suit your taste for western pleasures, just start with the mild ones.

In the middle of the Kwee Zeen Sofitel KL buffet cheese section, you’ll also find nuts and dried fruit with grissini. In addition to that, the bread pantry holds everything from sourdough to multigrain loaves, various buns, baguette and gluten-free bread. Don’t miss the different toppings here; we especially liked the black olive tapenade.

Main Course at The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet

Pan Asian cuisine with western sweethearts fits perfectly into a cultural melting pot such as Malaysia. Indicating you should get ready for the journey that will take you through the Asian continent with an emphasis on local cuisines at the Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara buffet.

Check the carving station for meaty pieces and combine them with various sauces and side dishes. Many items are meaty, but even if you follow a meat-free diet, you will not be hungry at the end.

Sweets at The Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet

Even though the sweet finish at the Sofitel Damansara restaurant was ruled by western sweets also the local classics weren’t missing. If by any chance, you can’t be tempted by cakes and tarts, you can still dip fruit in the chocolate fountain and stick marshmallow into it.

Before you do that, we suggest you try some crème brulee, tiramisu and chocolate cake. In case you aim for the lighter treats you can combine fruit jelly with fresh tropical fruit.

Conclusion

In a word, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet is outstanding. We like delicious Angus, gluten-free corner, fresh seafood, and o my God – the cheese selection. They offer some premium cheeses, which are perfect with their many bread options. To be honest, this was the best bread station, we have ever had at buffets.

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet Review Card

• 9.3/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.3/10
• 9.3/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.3/10
• 9.1/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.1/10
• 9.1/10
  SERVICE – 9.1/10
• 9.2/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.2/10
• 9.3/10
  VALUE – 9.3/10

Price and Location

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet is Available on every Sunday from 12.30pm to 4.00pm and will cost you for about 45 USD. Here is a link to the location for faster navigation.

Dress Code

If you are wondering about dressing code, it is casual. Just keep it Cas’.

The post Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Buffet Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Honestly, it deserves all the praise it gets and is worthy of a place on your bucket list. You should trust us when we say that you want to meet the chocolate master, who is better known as Chef Laurent Ganguillet. Read on this Sukhothai chocolate buffet review to see why Ian and I say so.

The Ambiance at the Sukhothai Bangkok and the Lobby Salon

At the Sukhothai Hotel, you will notice a modern elegance full of clean lines that shine the light on the ancient Sukhothai city. Everywhere we went, we noticed the Sukhothai inspired additions, which are an item of admiration on their own. It’s easy to look around and find yourself staring at the stone masterpiece while fetching a bite. Anyway, walking around is encouraged by the divided buffet setting.

 On one side are all the savory dishes with fresh fruit, while across the spacious hallway are all the sweets. If you choose to sit where the savories are, you’ll get a more zen-like feeling while the buzz is more present in the sweet section. The Sukhothai chocolate buffet is designed with an open space in mind and includes multiple entrances, which deal with the crowd.

Savories at the Sukhothai Bangkok Chocolate Buffet

Before dipping fingers into the chocolate sweets, you should take time to enjoy some savories. On the enormous table, you’ll find an array of local, Japanese, and Western classics. Some of them are light with fruit additions, while others will ease your hunger in no time. The selection of dishes is sufficient enough to prepare your belly for the desserts and chocolate treats. Then again, it’s about the quality of the dishes, and here I must admit some were more to my taste than others.

Our Favourites

We suggest you start your Sukhothai chocolate buffet with something light like minced kingfish, seasoned with fresh Thai herbs or puff pastry filled with crab meat and avocado. You also shouldn’t miss on the duck rillette on top of brioche toast, either. That is especially true if you like the creamy and warm flavors of duck combined with slight sweetness coming from the semi-dried figs.

Maybe you’ll find yourself going back for seconds like I did when I discovered the juicy mangosteen salad with dried shrimps and spicy Thai herb dressing. This colorful dish sums up the Thai sweet–sour–spicy–salty flavors in one bite.

Sandwiches at Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet

Abundant fillings in sandwiches kept the moisture locked even if the bread got a little dry after a while. My favorite was the whole wheat toast with Brie Cheese topped with apricot compote. Although the egg sandwich hooked me on the finely chopped egg, including gentle seasonings while a pickle kept things interesting. Both were spot on, next to the skewer salad.

In addition to the already mentioned sandwiches, there were also two other toasties at the Sukhothai chocolate buffet. First was the marinated salmon sandwich with cream cheese in the middle of the rye bread. While the other was smoked duck roll with fennel and orange for some extra moisture and crunch.

Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet Will Keep the Hunger at the Bay

If you find yourself missing something stronger and not in the spirit of an afternoon tea, then look no further. Young baked potatoes with cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits are a tasty side dish. Not far from them was a platter of BBQ chicken with cherry tomatoes and caramelized pineapple as well.

The Highlight of Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet: Chocolate Trolley

There is no point in denying that a real star of the Sukhothai chocolate buffet is a person with many talents. Mr. Laurent Ganguillet is an Executive Pastry Chef at Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel with a burning passion for chocolate. Ok, not just chocolate! All of his desserts were perfect in every way but more about them later. Now it’s 100% chocolate trolley time!

The eye-catching trolley is a mobile working station that holds a number of different chocolate samples. It’s no secret that different world regions produce different cocoa. You know different soil different characteristics, different procedures different result. That is why we love that Chef Laurent is expanding his chocolate collection by its origins.

With this in mind, no wonder all the guests of the Sukhothai chocolate buffet were buzzing in front of the trolley from delight. As we’ve witnessed and tasted, Chef’s Laurent creations make everybody happy. Just a hint, you will find also Thai cocoa which is getting its place lately. A huge part of this matter goes to Kad Kokoa, who is trying to present the best what Thai Chocolat can offer.

Chocolate Only For you

At the chocolate trolley, you get to share your chocolate preferences with the Executive Pastry Chef Laurent Ganguillet. It’s a joy to talk to him and taste chocolate chips while deciding whether hot chocolate feels better than iced. Maybe you want a chocolate fondu? Do you long for some fruity flavorings? If not, then check the nutty ones if bare chocolate is beneath you. Oh, this is your third cup? Then I’m sorry I misjudged you.

Ok, maybe I got carried away a little. But joking aside, be ready to taste the chocolate mix of your life at Sukhothai chocolate buffet!

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Sweets at the Sukhothai Bangkok Chocolate Buffet

The Sukhothai chocolate buffet comes with the chocolate mix made uniquely to your taste by the chocolate master himself, but it features some of the unique treats as well. I have mentioned unforgettable ones below, but that doesn’t mean others weren’t delicious. Of course, they were! It included so much more than a few different chocolate truffles, pralines, cakes… I liked how Chef encouraged guests to find our inner child with a few playful elements, like “digging” for the chocolate or cutting marshmallow with golden scissors. Is this new Willy Wonka?

One and Only Churros

Churros, for example, were absolutely flawless with an insanely tender middle and crisp crust. Also, the taste felt so good that I skipped a few dips into the chocolate fondue and savored it on its own. Later, Chef shared with us that he got the recipe from his friend’s grandmother, which makes them even more special.

Exceptional Ice Cream

Ice creams are another treat that is impossible to find anywhere else. Both of us loved all the flavors Chef Laurent made from scratch. The perfect balance between the chocolate and wasabi won Ian over, immediately. The spiciness was just right to warm up the bitterness of the premium dark chocolate. Yes, wasabi kept its sharpness, but it was transformed into the mouthwatering delight that he couldn’t resist.

I went for more refreshing flavors after my fulfilling chocolate craze. As it turned out, light tamarind and passion fruit were on point for watering down my increasingly heavy belly. Both were more of a sorbet variety with remarkably full taste.

As for the peanut butter ice cream, I can only say it tasted way better than sole peanuts. Does that make any sense? Obviously, the bull’s eye was about the peanuts, but it also delivered the heartwarming creaminess with impeccable sweetness.

Decadent Sticky Date Pudding with Toffee Sauce

It doesn’t matter how full you are, you’ll find some room for the sticky toffee pudding. It’s enriched with dates that make it seductively sweet and creamy. Add to that the rich toffee sauce with a splash of vanilla sauce and whipped cream, and you landed in heaven once more.

Drinks at the Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet

On the everyday drinks menu at the Lobby Salon, you can choose between coffee, tea, and light cocktails. We advise you to try some Iced Thai tea or organic Saro Royal Lotus tea, which is made of lotus flowers, herbs, and tea leaves. Some of the teas are caffeine-free, but you’ll also find the boosters as well.

However, you probably came here for the real stuff – chocolate and we encourage it. Just say your preferences to the Chef and he will make you your perfect cold chocolate, which you won’t forget easily.

Final Thought

The meaning of the Sukhothai is literally “the dawn of happiness,” which Wild and Free Diary can only confirm after visiting the Sukhothai chocolate buffet. Nothing fits a description of happiness more than the full belly of delicious food with a cup of chocolate made especially for you.

Add to that the peaceful surroundings, and you’ll see what is happening at the Sukhothai Bangkok every weekend. To us, the Sukhothai Bangkok is something like a “fortress of tranquillity” and Willy Wonka’s threat at the same time. In conclusion, the Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet is a must check in Bangkok. If you are a passionate chocolate lover, then you should check our “The Best Chocolate Bar in Bangkok” list.

Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet Review Card

• 9.6/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.6/10
• 9.3/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.3/10
• 9.7/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.7/10
• 9.7/10
  SERVICE – 9.7/10
• 9.6/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.6/10
• 9.4/10
  VALUE – 9.4/10

Price and Location

The Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet is held from Friday to Sunday, 14.00-17.00 hrs. It will cost you just under 40 USD per person and bloated belly. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation. Enjoy.

The post Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Ambiance at the Sarkies

E&O Buffet is served daily at Sarkies, E&O Hotel, Penang. Modernized Sarkies presents a contrast between colonial charm and contemporary ease. One part of the Sarkies features the dark wooden furniture while the rest includes some lighter colonial style chairs. It is easy to navigate around the self-service zone from everywhere. In the center of Sarkies, all the dishes are neatly displayed on the countertop.

Actually, the majority of food is right in front of the open kitchen action. In case you want to keep an eye on the chef’s work, you have many tables that enable you to do so. But if you’d rather enjoy the ocean view, you should sit next to the large windows. In general, we can say the Sarkies is a bright and acoustic space.

The Food at the E&O Buffet

When we enjoyed our midweek Sarkies buffet lunch, we were able to choose from different local and international classics. On display, we found different soups, meat dishes with condiments, and vegetable dishes. If you are a huge fan of seafood, you can enjoy some of those as well. Before you get too excited about the all-you-can-eat luxury food, know that the focus of Sarkies buffet lunch is on homemade dishes. 

Soups

If you have a thing for soups, then you are in luck. On the Sarkies Buffet menu is even the local pride and joy; the Assam laksa! It was delicious, just as expected. We were hoping to revive the tasty memory from the Sarkies Corner. Here is a review of our lunch there from our first visit. Besides Laksa, we found another spicy soup with chili kiss. This sweet and sour soup is South Indian nutritious gold, the Rasam Soup.

What we liked the most about it, was its refreshing aroma coming from fresh curry leaves. Equally irresistible was also the thick tomato soup that screamed of real and well ripe tomatoes. Both of us loved it, especially with the fresh dose of crunchy bread croutons and a drop of cream. In addition to that, you can stop at the noodle station and pick your favorite noodles, vegetables, seafood, tofu…

Proteins

We loved the Asian Spiced beef with some extra black pepper sauce on the side. Although mushrooms with lamb also tasted delightful. However, the biggest demand seemed to be for the chicken tempura. Not surprisingly, since everyone loves fried food, especially kids.

In case you like a piece of meat, you can choose among the roasted duck, with roasted duck sauce next to it. On the other hand, you can also seize the opportunity for some omega intake. On one side of the open kitchen, you’ll find grilled Saba fish, Salmon, and Japanese Long Fish. But tuna and salmon sashimi are right next to four sushi varieties.

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Condiments

You really shouldn’t skip the crisp Peranakan style pickles at the E&O buffet. They are sweeter and more flavorful than the ones we know in Europe. Adding some fermented young mango or papaya fruit to all you can eat a meal is always a good idea. In case you want to stick with a healthy diet, you can choose among a few infused oils instead of dressings. Adding some sun-dried tomato to your salad also shouldn’t hurt. After all, some freestyling will only make your Eastern & Oriental buffet lunch memorable.

Vegetables

Meat-free dishes are scattered around the Sarkies buffet. You’ll find some at every corner of the buffet area. Besides the already mentioned soups, we also suggest a bit of tasty potato salad and delectable samosas. Walking around the Sarkies buffet will give you a few ideas to customize your Gado Gado. I tell you, the peanut dressing is to die for!

Desserts

Expect a beaming “sweet tooth” by the end of your lunch buffet at E&O Hotel. Really, it doesn’t matter whether you are after the shaved-ice or western treats. We returned to the table a few times, and every time we discovered something new. Here are our favorites that we warmly recommend.

Chocolate brownies deliver a proper choco bomb. If you feel the need to dilute the intense flavor, you have warm vanilla sauce right next to it. Still warm was also mixed fruit crumble filled with incredibly juicy pineapple and peaches. Combining it with coconut ice cream was mouth-watering. Our favorite pie had to be the nut pie with the pecan nuts being in abundance. It was perfect in between the unsweetened coffee sips. Yes, the pie was sweet, but what else should we expect from its caramel topping.

Critique

The first huge minus goes to the most annoying factor; the guests. Seriously where on earth are manners??? It’s not the first time we were disgusted on behalf of our neighbors. No wonder large dining rooms need buffer zones to catch the noise. Maybe this will be part of the E&O Hotel renovation as well, even though it would be better to look for the more important issue here. Naturally, behavioral problems aren’t in the hotel’s domain, but as individuals, we should think about our actions. We’ll write about a general lack of respect, some other time. Maybe that is why we prefer afternoon tea indulgence for its peaceful atmosphere.

It goes without saying that when meat is prepared in advance it becomes dry. Add to that the taste preferences of local people that favor the overbaked meat, and you’ll find yourself missing the juicy meat. To avoid that, we suggest you express your wish to the chef and return for your piece when it is ready.

Conclusion

Through the food, you can find yourself feeling home away from home and we’re not surprised that through the history Eastern and Oriental Hotel has been called just that. All the food we had was freshly prepared and comforting with mouth-watering sweets. Luckily the position of the E&O Hotel is right on the Coast of Pinang Island. We appreciated the open sea view and light breeze while resting our overly stuffed bellies. I hope you enjoyed our E&O Hotel buffet lunch review. See you next time.

E&O Buffet Review Card

• 9/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9/10
• 9.4/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.4/10
• 9.1/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.1/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.2/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.2/10
• 9.5/10
  VALUE – 9.5/10

Price and Location

E&O hotel buffet price lunch 2020 (Monday to Friday at 12:00 pm -2:30 pm) costs a little above 20 USD, while the E&O weekend buffet lunch is only 22 USD. Daily E&O buffet dinner (6:30 pm-10:00 pm) costs about 33 USD, but if you want to include wine, you can add an extra 24 USD. Honestly, it is a fair price for what you get! Here is a link to the location, for easier navigation.

The post E&O Buffet: Another Reason to Stay at the E&O Hotel appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Ambiance of Contango Restaurant in Majestic Hotel KL

The majestic buffet is actually served in a Contango Restaurant, situated in a heritage hotel, Majestic. Contango restaurant is designed in contemporary style, where the range of golden-brown shades holds extravagant impression combined with various sitting options. Just about anything; close to the window wall, lounge chair, classic armless chairs, comfy sofa that you will refuse to leave after the “all you can eat” experience…

Drink Menu at Majestic Hotel Buffet 

Next to the Contango buffet, befits some wine from their renowned collection. It is assumed that the Contango wine cellar holds comprehensive wine collection. In case you happen to be more in the spirit’s mood, that is fine as well. If you fancy some beer just talk to the bartender.

When you do, keep in mind that all of the above is not included in the price of the Majestic buffet KL. Complimentary are few juices (calamansi, pink guava, fruit punch) that sadly aren’t 100% fruit juices, Twinings tea, coffee, and water.

The Food at Majestic Buffet

My favorite part of the buffet lunch is to check all the offers and return to the table with a plate full of food that is the furthest away from our table. Below I’ll mention the dishes I recommend you to try, but keep in mind the offer is much bigger.

Best of Japanese Station

At Majestic buffet KL, it was the Japanese station, where the majority of dishes lived up to my expectations. Most of all I liked the Soba noodles and Miso soup.

Soba Noodles

I went for hot soba sauce and cooked buckwheat noodles before adding them to the soup. The soba noodles tasted pleasantly silky with tasty clear broth. If you go for the cold dipping sauce, it has all the necessary condiments at hand to season it to your desired taste.

Miso Soup

Even though the Miso soup tasted great I couldn’t get enough of Wakame seaweed that came in big crunchy chunks. The miso soup tasted mild with deep, earthy notes, which connected well with soft tofu and scallions.

Best of Indian Station

Possibly the most diverse array of dishes at Majestic buffet KL belonged to the Mamak, Malaysian – Indian cuisine. Here, one can load the plate with many thick gravies, vegetables, and meat dishes. For the refreshing twist, we swear by some chutney or yogurt addition on a side of a plate. You can combine all the dishes with steamed rice, pilaf rice, roti, potato or bread. Hey, it’s a buffet, no judgment here!

Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer, the unsalted fresh white cheese goes well with this strong tikka masala. Right away it brings the contrast in taste, texture, and colors, which made this dish delightful.

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Chicken Curry

This is one of Ian’s winning combination here; he loves meat and strong sauce. In this dish, he found an excellent match to combine it with the pilaf rice (rice cooked in stock).

Vegetable Murtabak

It’s been a while since I’ve eaten murtabak and sure I was glad to have this one at Majestic buffet KL. Freshly fried roti with firm crisp and soft filling of vegetable mix got it right with dried chili seasoning. I loved it with delicious vegetable dalcha.

Best of Western Station

The brick pizza oven is an impressive addition of this part. Besides that, I liked the pasta options that are prepared on site. Diners have free hands also when it comes to the finishing touches of mini chicken burgers. That is a special bonus when you know where the cheese selection stands if you know what I mean.

Pizza

Pizza at Contango restaurant feels almost like the real Italian one, famous for their thin dough. Here also the toppings tasted great with loads of cheese.

Roasted Duck With Orange Sauce

You can taste when the bones add their juices to the dish, and here they were in a company of orange zest. Ian loved this French classic with abundant sauce to pore over the mashed potatoes.

Best of Vegetable Dishes

At the Majestic buffet, KL vegetarian dishes are present at every food station, regardless of its origins. This means that people who avoid meat will have a jolly good time at this buffet. Furthermore, the salad table is well stocked, with well-known Asian and classic salads.

I liked the artichokes and asparagus that I combined with Malaysian green mango salad known as “kerabu mangga”. You might also want to try the spicy Indonesian Gado Gado, which had two versions of tofu and delicious peanut sauce.

Best of Desserts

Right at the Contango restaurant entrance the dessert display looks inviting, especially petit fours. Sadly they didn’t stand up to my expectations, maybe just the lychee rose and mini fruit tart. Fortunately, cakes per slice were better, especially the fresh Opera cake. Also, brownie delivered strong chocolate with suitable garnish – cream. One more chocolate classic, the chocolate cake felt right, not too sweet and not too dry.

Ice Cream

It goes without saying that we tried all the flavors at the Majestic buffet KL. Ice-creams that we liked were chocolate and green tea. Right at the side are few toppings to add, and to our disappointment, plastic spoons.

Bowl Desserts

Among the bowl-baked goodies, we suggest to try the apple crumble and chocolate lava cake. The apple crumble has the desired flavor notes and so does the chocolate lava cake.

Conclusion

Some say the Majestic buffet is the best buffet here in Kuala Lumpur. We have tried out a few buffets in this metropolitan city, to for us the Majestic buffet is a good one. To be among the best, they should improve desserts. Sadly the majority of the desserts didn’t meet our expectations.

The same can go for sushi and cold cuts, which are not exciting. As a critique, I would like to point out plastic spoons for ice cream. We had an encounter with them already at Majestic afternoon tea and looks like they still haven’t gotten rid of them. Shame!

Anyway, overall the buffet here at Contango is worth the money and will satisfy most of the hungry foodies. 

Majestic Buffet Review Card

• 9.2/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.2/10
• 9.4/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.4/10
• 8.8/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.8/10
• 9/10
  SERVICE – 9/10
• 8.8/10
  FOOD TASTE – 8.8/10
• 9.3/10
  VALUE – 9.3/10

Price and Location

The buffet here at Majestic will cost you about 25 USD for lunch and 30 USD for dinner, which is a bit more delicate. Here is a link to a location in case you would like to try out this buffet.

The post Majestic Buffet Review – Contango in Food appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

We love the Sofitel Metropole buffet for many reasons. The spirits were so high that, we felt we are on a celebration. Actually, a few people really were, so maybe we caught some of their festive joy. Regardless if that is possible or not we were happy, Sunday brunch happy. So am I only overhyping everything or… Make your opinion and check this review.

The Ambiance of Le Beaulieu Restaurant

The historic charm of the Sofitel Metropole Hotel building is felt throughout the whole hotel. In sync with the purpose, each part differs a little from the other. For example at the Le Beaulieu Restaurant dominates the friendly feel and ageless appeal. The design is contemporary French executed with Indochina touch. Pillars across the whole dining room where sophisticated French effect is topped with marble floors and dark wood interior. Right in the center of the Beaulieu Restaurant is a foodie paradise surrounded by dining tables.

Make Sure You Make a Reservation

When we are saying full, we literally mean it, note that the Sofitel Metropole buffet is the busiest in town. Needless to say, a reservation in advance is a must to enjoy one of the best buffet brunches in Hanoi with live uplifting music. Basically, the Sunday brunch buffet in Hanoi is popular with locals, expats, and visitors.

Sofitel Metropole Buffet Food Review

For the best breakfast in Hanoi, one has to have some fresh seafood delicacies, crunchy salads, and flavourful vegetables. But also a few dishes that fit into the western breakfast and complement local food. The Legend Hanoi has it all. Even topped with champagne if anyone wants more than just wine. However, even with your standard buffet, you will get one glass of Louis Roederer.

Seafood

Besides the classic shellfish such as clams, tiger prawns, brown crabs, and oysters, there were also sea snails and a huge salmon. At the base were also all the condiments including a tasty sauce that went wonderfully with snails. But you know how it is, snails are snails, the sauce makes the difference. At the Sofitel Metropole buffet, the sauce is heavenly. It is seasoned just right with a nice acidic and fresh citrusy taste.

Appetizers

For more Sunday brunch menu ideas we didn’t have to look far. A few steps away we found many different dishes including lobster, scallops, vegetables, and fruits. We started our fancy Sunday brunch with a martini glass full of lobster, papaya, and tomato.

Equally delicious and juicy, but completely different was the scallop salad with kohlrabi and roasted hazelnut. Both were gently seasoned to keep the flavors fresh and vegetables crunchy. To point out, scallops and hazelnuts go great together and who would have thought that kohlrabi is a great company here.

Then there was a tasty portion of the duck liver with apricot and ginger compote. Here the compote is a huge surprise – I would never guess it is ginger. Amazing appetizer! Another bold combination I liked was the marinated sea bass with almond sable and goat cheese. Very impressive how the strong goat cheese was a supportive seasoning to the gentle sea bass.

Classics

We didn’t miss out on the classic brunch dish served in a shot glass – the scrambled eggs with asparagus and mushrooms. At the buffet we always go all in, so don’t be alarmed if you see me eating the scrambled eggs with paté. It is a delicious combination anyone should try.

Besides that, the liver pate at the Sofitel Metropole buffet was really creamy with a hint of vanilla. It also complimented the beautiful Parma ham wrapped around Da Lat asparagus. Nowadays the sushi is almost a staple in a world food chain and here they offer three different sushi types. Sushi had a company of the tuna and salmon sashimi with condiments.

A flavorful tribute to the country we were in, was the famous Vietnamese spring rolls; traditional with a shrimp and vegetable as well.

Vegetables

The Sofitel Metropole buffet also includes many vegetable dishes. Some are clean like baby leeks, artichoke and green salads, while others are more complex. Those are ratatouille stuffed eggplant, gourmand salad with mushrooms, tomato, and greens. Mixed vegetable with a name tag the Macedoine is appropriately diced into perfect square cubes as the term Macedoine applies. By the way, the term Macedoine is in use when one wants perfectly cut ¼ inch cubes.

Cheese and Cold Cuts

Ok, here we must be honest and admit that at Intercontinental Landmark72 Sunday brunch, you will get a much richer selection of imported goods. Actually, that big offer is a rarity even in Europe! But, don’t worry cheese selection at Sofitel Metropole buffet is more than decent.

French classics, terrines, rillettes, and pate are exquisite. The homemade meaty terrines at the Sofitel Legend were moderately seasoned and presented in a cut that showed nice meaty chunks. Next to them was a rillette that warmed up my belly and urged me for a glass of red wine.

While I cherished the cheese plate with rillette, Ian went for the duck foie gras terrine with confit leg and chorizo stuffed pork cutlet. By all means, I didn’t keep him from my cheese plate consisting of Brie, Four’d embert, Cheddar, soft goat cheese, Comte, Gouda, and Emmental. Apart from that he especially likes the Comte with beef carpaccio and black olive tapenade.

Even More

It goes without saying that there are more cold cuts such as prosciutto, salami, ham, chorizo and mortadella to name a few. Besides the meaty cold cuts, there is also salmon gravlax (Nordic salmon cured in salt and dill) and smoked fish like seabass or tuna and salmon.

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Main Dishes at Sofitel Metropole Sunday Brunch

Already the food list is extensive and warm dishes are yet to be listed. So many options make it one of the best places to have brunch in Hanoi. I must admit that I was already pretty full of ambrosial entrees, so I almost skipped the mains. To put it differently, I was saving some room for desserts.

Despite that, I couldn’t skip the Nicoise ratatouille. On the table, we had the perfect base for this slow-cooked vegetables – the fresh house bread and premium butter. However, it was also a nice side dish to the crispy rissole potatoes and grilled spring chicken with four spices.

Ian enjoyed a tidbit of the pan-fried foie gras with mango chutney and pan-fried beef tenderloin in pepper sauce. Although, he also liked the roasted lamb leg with fresh herbs sauce.

Desserts

At the buffet, I try to stick to the one-bite-of everything rule, but it never goes through. We eat with the eyes, right? I must admit that my eyes are greedy, especially when it comes to desserts. At Sofitel Metropole buffet is no way I could hold back. Especially when I saw the beautiful Fraisier cake.

Those delicious strawberries with fluffy vanilla creme are top notch. Other fruity sweets were also a gentle mulberry cake with raspberries on top, a fruit cake, and berry tart. Apart from cakes, there were also different varieties of fruit jelly and mixed tarts.

Out of the chocolate sweets, the chocolate mousse bomb took me straight to the chocolate heaven. With this one every chocoholic hits the jackpot, I sure did. Additional chocolate cakes are the white chocolate cake and a dark chocolate cake. Another outstanding treat is the opera cake, with luscious chocolate ganache and coffee butter creme

O-ou we missed one

On our last legs, we realized that we hadn’t tried the French petits fours. At that time it was also near the end of the brunch and my beloved macarons were gone. That was slightly disappointing because the one we had for the afternoon tea impressed me. Still, drowning sorrow in hand made chocolate bonbon also isn’t awful. Have I mentioned the homemade ice cream? OMG, it is delicious!

Fruit

Sincerely, I glanced to the fruit baskets full of passion fruit, grape, and mangosteen at the beginning of this Sunday brunch buffet. But as it turned out, there was no room for fruit in my appetite.

Outstanding Service

Very professional staff kept tables and brunch offer in place. Their care resulted in a clean look for the duration of the buffet brunch. Not an easy task with a full restaurant. When you will be at the Sofitel Metropole buffet brunch your table will be tidy all the time.

Critique

Sofitel Metropole buffet is a must do in Hanoi, period. The Sofitel hotel by itself is an icon, not only in Hanoi but in whole Southeast Asia. However, our sharp eyes always find some bits which are meant for constructive critique. The first flaw is Pho Bo.

This iconic noodle soup is far cry from a decent one. Especially when you have only a few blocks away from one of the best in this world. They should employ one aunty from the street with her family recipe or simply take it out of the menu. It’s really not good.

The other fault is a supply. I absolutely agree and support the idea to minimize waste in hospitality. We all know buffets aren’t the best practices here. I am totally happy when I see that I missed on a baked duck. But when you don’t get something, which stays good for a week is another thing. Here we didn’t have a chance to try out macarons and also mangosteen ran out in the middle of the buffet.

Conclusion

Frankly, if you are thinking about Hanoi hotels and are tempted for some memorable brunch make a reservation at Sofitel Metropole hotel. Their famous Le Beaulieu Restaurant has a praised reputation, by maintaining the classic French and local dishes at the scrumptious level. Sofitel Metropole buffet is legendary and we can see why. Food is delicious, an offer is big, all ingredients are of high quality and service is impeccable.

What I liked besides the very tasty food, was the neat display of buffet dishes. Especially the wooden boxes, which formed a relaxed base for food display. Way to keep the cold platters cold was done by the shredded ice, which also looked very nice. All in all, it was classy, tasty and entertaining. We highly recommend this Hanoi Sunday brunch.

Metropole Hanoi Buffet Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.6/10
  FOOD TASTE – 9.6/10
• 9.2/10
  VALUE – 9.2/10

Price and Location

The Sunday Brunch here at Metropole Hanoi Hotel will cost you about 80 USD per person, if you add a free flow of wine it’s 115 USD and 145 USD with free flow of Champagne. For simple navigation, here is a link to the Metropole Hotel location.

Le Beaulieu Restaurant Dress Code

Before joining the Sunday brunch obey the smart-casual dress code. Honestly, think about what to wear is the least you can do. If you do it wisely, you will benefit greatly and feel awesome avoiding super tight dress.

The post Sofitel Metropole Buffet – Sunday Brunch Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

What can be better on Sunday than BBQ buffet and cold beer in your hand, just beside a rooftop swimming pool? Ok, enough bragging; here is our Hotel Stripes’ Sizzling Sundays BBQ review.

Man Tao Ambiance

Sizzling Sundays BBQ is served at the Man Tao Bar, which is a rooftop swimming pool bar with a canopy view with skyscrapers behind it. We can’t imagine a better BBQ place than beside the pool combined with great views. Sadly we don’t have any photo of it, due to the intense mid-day sun and time shortage. Next month we will stop in Kuala Lumpur again and make a morning shot just for you dear friend.

Anyway, let’s talk about Man Tao Bar. It’s a pleasant pool grill bar with a welcoming shade above your head. The ambiance is in sync with the hotel – brick-built, comfortable and snug. A long bar also serves as a part of a buffet table, when it comes to this delicious Sizzling Sundays BBQ.

Man Tao Drinks Menu

Based on the relaxed vibe we will start with the drinks, which are yours to add to the buffet if you wish to do so. First, is the honey-infused mocktail with lemon and ginger. Second, comes DIY sangria in three variants; red/white/rose, with fresh fruit additions. Third, is the Carlsberg bucket, to spruce up the Sizzling Sundays BBQ even more. Complimentary to the buffet is orange infused water which we really liked.

 Sizzling Sundays BBQ Review

Sizzling Sundays BBQ is a great way to enjoy a carefree day in this always busy city. Regarding the buffet, it starts at noon and ends at 3 PM, which doesn’t mean your fun time is over. You are welcome to enjoy your cocktail afterward and soak up the afternoon sun. Sadly, we were on the run to the airport, so we left the scene earlier. However, Sizzling Sundays BBQ filled our tummies for a whole day.

Cold Starters

Cold starters are stapling at every decent BBQ and here is no different. What can be better than a Greek salad or Cesar salad with crunchy crockets??? Both salads are seasoned perfect and fresh, which makes them a great starter. For an even better deal, you can add garlic bread.

Main Dishes

What is sizzling about this all you can eat buffet is all the mains, prepared on-site. The limited offer makes up for quality, fresh dishes that not only taste delicious but look great as well. For instance, the Hasselback potato topped with cream and chives or mini burgers is the love at first sight.

Both of us loved the tender meat in the middle of mini burgers and complimentary house-made sauces. My combination of New Orleans BBQ sauce, yellow mustard and brown sauce was spot on with roasted root vegetables.

Different types of sauces are the perfect solution to the BBQ feast and compliment even the paella. Honestly, we were more into the BBQ marinated beef short rib with crunchy garlic bread. Even so, the saffron rice went well with grill chicken brochettes. Neither of the dishes was overseasoned, which left room for outstanding Chimichurri sauce. This is a loose oil-based condiment with finely chopped garlic, parsley, chili, and oregano.

We also liked the premium quality chicken and beef rope sausages. Both were gently seasoned, with rosemary and pepper dominating in chicken sausage. I always love to see meaty pieces in sausage and I’m happy to report that this was the case in beef sausage.

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Desserts

Desserts are the only thing that disappoints at all in all delicious Sizzling Sundays BBQ. Ok, I love the buttery caramel popcorn idea, which is a great sweet snack, though. There are also doughnuts which are great BBQ dessert, but also very delicate. Doughnuts can be dry very quickly and heat with some warm breeze is a no ally here at all. Playfully presented doughnuts matched the mood perfectly, but dryness, unfortunately, spoils the joy.

On the other hand, they offer a great rescue – ice pops. Sad to say we are not fond of ice pops because of many reasons. Firstly, eating this is ridiculous. You are licking a plastic bag like a moron and thinking about how many people were touching this pack and where it was before. Then again, your hands will be sticky after this treat.

Anyway, here at Sizzling Sundays BBQ they serve two types of ice pops – Cendol and Nescafe. I served my Nescafe ice pop in the glass and had it as ice coffee instead. Nothing exciting in this iced treat – Nescafe powder in skimmed milk. This Sizzling Sundays BBQ would have much better finish with some homemade ice cream which can be served in scoops. Every Sunday two different flavors and no need in using plastic bags.

Critique and Conclusion

Sizzling Sundays BBQ is a great way to have casual lunch on hot KL Sundays. We loved the petite hamburgers, all meaty treats with condiments and easy-going vibe.

As mentioned before, the downside of this Sizzling Sundays BBQ is desserts. This could be executed better as we all know that the desserts are the pillar of every feast. A different serving of doughnuts or maybe a classic apple pie right beside the different ice-cream would make a huge difference. However, this flaw doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy this delicious BBQ.

After all, you came here for BBQ, right? And this is flawless, making it a delicious Sunday lunch! Taking the price into consideration this is a great mini buffet or rather Sizzling BBQ. If you are staying at Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, try to fetch this mini-feast on Sundays. Warmly recommended!

 Sizzling Sundays BBQ Review Card

• 8.9/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 8.9/10
• 8.8/10
  FOOD OFFER – 8.8/10
• 8.9/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.9/10
• 9.3/10
  SERVICE – 9.3/10
• 8.8/10
  FOOD TASTE – 8.8/10
• 9.5/10
  VALUE – 9.5/10

Price and Location

Sizzling Sundays BBQ comes about 25 USD for two persons, which is a bargain or rather a fantastic value for BBQ. In a case, you would like to try it out, here is a link to a location for easy-peasy navigation.

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