Vikings - Manila's Feast of Gastronomic Spectacle

Let's take a break from my travels and do something more universal: gastronomy! If you've never been to Vikings, a buffet restaurant at the SM Mall of Asia grounds (fronting the romantic Manila Bay), you should plan a visit with your family or friends. Recently, I took my small family at the Vikings for a feastful dinner. I was my second time and I wanted to share this amazing place with them. Since it's a buffet restaurant, it can't be anything less luxurious. After all, most buffets are statements of luxury, unless you're dining in Davao City where there's an inexpensive buffet restaurant in every nook and cranny. The price per person is considerably upper-tier dining: P900 ($22) bucks per per person on a weekday; P1200 ($29) or thereabouts on a weekend - and you need to reserve at least a week or two before the special occasion. Don't risk walking in unreserved; there's always been a long waiting list every single time I was there.

There are steaks, barbecues, roast meat, Japanese dishes and sushis, seafood, hotpot, European and Chinese cuisine, Filipino dishes, drinks that range from draft beer and sago't gulaman to sodas, juices and iced teas, desserts like cakes, Pinoy delicacies and ice creams, etc. I tried the different varieties of caviar, but they all tasted the same. The only difference was how each one popped in the mouth. :) They do have a policy of no left overs which is reasonable. You can have as much as you want, but you shouldn't waste food. There's "financial liability" for leftovers (they're weighed and computed). I am not sure though if this has ever been imposed.

Meals like these are for special occasions. After all, you don't just shell out $27 dollars every single meal, right? But what's really amazing is the spread of food all over the place. It's partaking fiesta every single time, and it's fun just roaming around, checking out new entries that are constantly on display. The restaurant is said to change menu 4-5x a year to keep the selection fresh and exciting.

For this post, we've posted some photos from the restaurant's website because, quite frankly, we didn't go there to take photos but to eat! The photos I got were quite limited! To give justice to the grandeur of Vikings, we're using some of their website's photos (#2, 3, and the last 7 photos posted in this page).

Please do not ask us about bookings, special events and reservations. We are NOT connected with the restaurant. Check out their website instead - http://www.vikings.ph/home.html. You can also email them at reservations.vikings@yahoo.com or call them at 846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888 and 0917-5653888 & 0923-7303888. Peruse on their menu here - http://www.vikings.ph/menu.html.

If you require a special place for that special occasion, and money's no object, this is the place to be. They have occasional promos. Citibank once had 50%-off rates (and credit cards are accepted, of course). Children have special rates too. Paid parking is available in front of the restaurant which is some 4-5 blocks from MOA. If you're parking at MOA, expect a considerable distance of walking. Vikings is open daily: 11 AM to 2 PM for the lunch buffet; 6 PM to 10 PM for dinner. Bon appetit!

This is the Eye in the Sky!

This was just my first plate.

Sushi and shrimp sticks

Varieties of caviar. I didn't get the green one.

Japanese selection including a Japanese crepe (middle)

Pinoy delicacies

Red beans and coffee flavored jelly (above and below)

Sausages, barbecues, steaks. Pick them here then have them cooked and they'll deliver them at your table. The exquisite fish above was delicious and fresh, but took 30 minutes.

Acknowledgement: Photos number 2 and 3 and the last 7 photos below are courtesy of Vikings' website.