At Vikings, buffet dining can be as fun as creating art

MANILA, Philippines - Most buffets in the Metro offer identical cuisines. And the fifth and newest branch of Vikings Luxury Buffet at SM Megamall is finally here to break the monotony.

This latest place-to-be for foodies stands out by giving its clients the freedom to prepare dishes the way they want to and come up with their own “masterpieces” to eat. After all, it has an “art museum”-inspired theme.

In its Italian cuisine section, for example, diners can pick from a wide variety of ingredients and “paint the palate” to create their own pasta and pizza.

And it’s not as complicated as a first-timer would think: Simply select your freshly made pasta, then choose your sauce or topping, and the chef will prepare it in about a minute, ready to serve fresh off the pan.

The same goes with creating pizza. You can make your very own signature pizza with a variety of toppings to choose from at the station. Of course, there are readily available pizzas with signature flavors, including the Sicilian pizza and the intriguing Carbonara pizza.

This “create your own dish” concept extends to the ramen station and the hot pot station, where diners can select the ingredients for your very own signature bowl.

At the grill station, guests can choose from beef, pork, chicken, squid, crabs, prawns and fish, each grilled to your specifications.

There’s also the Japanese station where diners can find a wide variety of sushi and sashimi, as well as other Japanese dishes like tempura and katsu to choose from.

Vikings’ heavy hitters can be found at the carving station. You won’t mind the queue just to taste all-time favorites like anchovy-and-rosemary baked leg of lamb, Texan beef brisket, roast turkey and Angus chuck-eye roll.

In this section, diners simply choose and the chef quickly carves out a portion to your desired thickness. Each savory dish is roasted and seasoned perfectly, with an array of different sauces and grilled vegetables to choose from.

A must-try in this section is Viking’s signature boneless lechon, which is crisp on the outside and juicy and tender inside.

For diners in the mood to start the feast with small plates, the Spanish tapas station should be their first stop. Setas al ajillo and gambas would be perfect with a mug of draft beer.

At the Asian station, one should not miss the Asian-style roasted chicken, roasted for hours for a crisp outer layer; or the plump and juicy boiled shrimps, or the whole steamed fish topped with herbs and vegetables.

At the seafood station, one finds fresh mussels, steamed and then placed on ice with a variety of sauces.

And for those Japanese cravings, try sukiyaki. The friendly staff will set up a stone pot, complete with a portable stove, right on your table. And just after a few minutes, your sukiyaki is steaming-hot and ready.

With dishes from around the world on the menu, how can classic Filipino food be missed? The crispy pata in kare-kare sauce or the lechon sisig are must-tries.

The range and diversity of dishes is indeed overwhelming, from American to European to Asian and everything in between. This branch of Vikings offers over 200 dishes.

The beverage station features a wide range of options, from flavored teas to fruit juices, soda and — get this — draft beer. Unlimited. For an additional fee, you can also enjoy unlimited wine as well.

Two coffee machines dispensing rich and thick espressos, cappuccinos and lattes at a mere push of a button can also be found on the side. If you’re in the mood for tea, Vikings offers premium teas from TWG and Harney & Sons.

Vikings also offers an impressive dessert selection located at its center. With a variety of chocolate fondue, cakes, crepes and ice creams, diners surely are up to an unforgettable experience.

This new branch at SM Megamall is indeed another testament to Vikings’ “luxury buffet” concept with its seating capacity of 500-plus guests. The open-kitchen concept fits perfectly with the wide-open space, which also allows diners to see the chefs at work at the different stations. Diners can surely enjoy the best flavors from around the globe.

Recently, the Philippines Retailers Association awarded Vikings as the “Most Promising Retailer.” It is set to bring its winning “luxury buffet” concept soon to SM Aura Premier, SM BF, and Jazz Mall.