Sep 7

Sep 7 Buffet in Richmonde Cafe in Richmonde Hotel Ortigas

METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES. I hold mixed feelings when it comes to buffets. Sometimes I like them, but more often than not I do not. Because quantity usually wins over quality. And quantity is given more priority to the point that quality is being compromised or worse, dropped from the equation. Restaurants just sometimes want to put more food out there without putting much effort into conceptualizing great food that everyone will commend and enjoy. This hurts the diners most because as you know, buffet prices are no joke. They are expensive for goodness sake! And you expect to like and enjoy most of their food when you shell out that kind of money. So when I tried the buffet in Richmonde Cafe in Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas, I was not expecting to enjoy all of their offerings or even half of their offering but boy I was so wrong. Going here made me regain my faith and hope in buffets.

Richmonde Cafe's floor area does not come close to the renowned Spiral in Sofitel Manila or Vikings in Mall of Asia. It is not even a fourth of those, I tell you. It is just a small cafe armed with some great possibilities. And great possibilities it truly has! The moment you pass through the doorway, you will immediately feel that this cafe means business. With its posh looking dining sets and polished wooden floorings with diners who are in their suits and business attires, you will already get a sense that this is a popular destination for yuppies and executives within the vicinity. Not too crowded and noisy, this is the perfect place for that business meeting you are planning to set up with your clients.

Passing by the lunch buffet, you will already get acquainted with all the food. Yes, the table neither span from one end of the room to the other nor does it fence the room but still, all the food looks amazing and appetizing. So here they are!

APPETIZERS

Vietnamese Spring Roll. This is a different take on the spring roll.

ENTREES

Thai Basil Mahi Mahi. Oh, the things I would do to taste this dish again!

Craving for some noodles? No worries, they have different meat and noodles that will satisfy your liking.

DESSERTS

Their cheesecakes are amazing and very authentic! I despise those "cheesecake pretenders" in buffets that are filled with gelatin and tastes plastic and does not taste like anything close to the real deal anymore but oh my, their cheesecakes here are winners! We were here for three straight days, so we were able to taste also the Turtle Chocolate Cheesecake, an Oreo cookie crust cheesecake layered with chocolate, topped with chopped walnuts and drizzled with caramel sauce, which are terrific! If you found yourself drooling while reading that last line, you can go get yourself a slice in their Lobby Cafe for only Php 185 nett.

Rum Balls. How I enjoyed munching on these balled-up beauties! Chocolate infused with some rum and covered in chocolate? Now that is what I am talking about!

Super moist chocolate cake. Mmmm, yummy.

Cream Puffs! I literally gasped when I saw those cream puffs towering high in the center of the dessert table as it brings back good childhood memories!

Fruits galore. Papaya, grapes, honeydew, melon, watermelon, oranges! Now those would be perfect to top your dining experience here. Or some lovely crepes if you feel a little like indulging!

Half of the gazillion toppings you can put into your Halo-halo.

Writing this made me hungry again! I really had a great time eating here. We were able to witness different dishes and food offerings during the three days that we ate in Richmonde Cafe and surprisingly, each day has its own spark. All three days has something memorable in it. The food are all amazing, the place not too crowded and the place conducive for both dining and talking. It is very serene unlike the other buffet places. If great time and great food is what you are after, then dial their number now and reserve a table or two for your group's next pig-out session in Richmonde Cafe. You will definitely be in for a gastronomic experience!

There are different types of buffet here in Richmonde Hotel. Buffet at Richmonde Cafe is at Php 995 nett. There is also the Flavors of Home Lunch Buffet every Sundays for only Php 750 nett. Lastly, Friday dinner buffets are at Php 695 nett.

RICHMONDE CAFE