Sunday Buffet: A Comparison
We broke the bank.
Of course we did not. But, well, the day was certainly not one of our frugal days. (we try to be frugal some of the time and fail some of the time)
It was my birthday and usually, we go overseas. But, as they say, a baby changes everything (everything) so this year, we had to stay put. I am not complaining, though. I am so in love with baby. With him and our daughter in tow, we headed straight for Hotel Dusit Thani for their Sunday Crossover Brunch.
We love buffets and are partial to Sofitel’s Spirals. But we were ready for a change. There were rave reviews about Hotel Dusit’s brunch. It was a restaurant tour concept and there were four cuisines we can feast on – Thai, Japanese, Italian and an-around-the-world offering. It all sounded very appealing.
We booked our table at Umu, the Japanese restaurant that merited special mention by OurAwesomePlanet’s Anton Diaz (in a 2006 article, I thiknk). It was spacious where we sat. There were big, plush, sun-colored chairs and the neutral walls were adorned by Japanese calligraphy in blocks of earthy-wood. The lighting was muted, though, veering to the dark. That was a problem because I am partial to light (I used to prefer to sleep with all the lights on). Behind me – far away – was sunshine and the garden. I could have faced that little splash of light but I had to strategically place the stroller at the corner and that left me starting at dark woody walls. This might have affected my enjoyment but I am getting ahead of my story.
The Stroller at the Corner
And so it was dark. It was partially my fault. I could have chosen a different restaurant – I had the 4 to choose from – but I was choosing partly blind – not having visited Dusit Thani in recent years (more like 10-20 years). I searched the hotel’s website but it did not really give me that much of a clue or pictures! It just so happened that Umu was almost fully booked and its garden room – a room sunbathed with light – had no available seating so we were relegated to the shadows.
Lesson: Reserve early.
And then there were four restaurants. We did not know that 2 were up the stairs while 2, including Umu, were downstairs. The vision (and the experience) of carrying plates – in and out of restaurants and into the lobby and out – was not pleasant, or comfortable, or comforting.
The Stairs to the Other Buffet Stations
The Japanese Station
The Grill Station at Umu
Part of the French Buffet at Tosca
The Thai Buffet at Benjarong
Desserts at Benjarong
The verdict: I have never been so tired of eating a buffet. The fact that the buffet is multi-level (the restaurants are sitting on two separate floors) is a major problem. Here are our other comments:
- There was no diaper changing table for babies. In Hotel Sofitel, they have a long dresser-like marble table where a baby can be changed. And when I asked the bathroom attendant where I can change the baby, she was not very helpful. This surprised me because hotel staff are usually very accommodating, bending over backwards to give you the world, or at least pretending that they will give you the world. Or maybe she just did not know how to help me.
- The buffet goers are given a paper-band on the wrist. It was not very durable. Mine was torn in the first 30 minutes.
- For the valet parking to be free, a guest must have spent at least P3,000. But what I did was split the bill and pay with my two Citibank cards to take advantage of the Citibank promo (every P1,500 entitles you to P100). The valet attendant argued with me and asked me to pay for the valet parking. When I would not budge, she had me go back to Umu – which was already closed at that time – to have the other receipt validated. I did this and in the end, I got my valet parking for free but I went home a little irritated.
- I liked the grilled seafood at Umu, the risotto at the Italian station and the flourless chocolate cake also at the Italian station. The Thai and Japanese spread, sadly, were forgettable.
- The concept is a little confused and confusing. And – can I say it again – tiring.
- This Sunday brunch is not value for money (P1,600 net per person, children 6-12 at half the price). I think you are better off with Hotel Sofitel’s Spiral’s (P2,687 net per person, children 7-12 at half the price) or Shangri-La’s Heat (approx P1,300 net per person), especially when you can buy membership at Sofitel or Heat which entitles you to 50% off their buffet.
Will we tell you to go try it? Yes. Will we return? Probably Not.
Article by Issa. Photos by Danvic Briones. Copyright 2010.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
P.S. We just ate a dinner buffet at Spiral’s and it is wonderful. There was a choir singing Christmas carols and the place is decked with lights. It was charming and elegant and reminded me why it is my favorite restaurant– they set the bar so high!
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