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8:03:00 AM
I was supposed to just drop off my mom to a little get together in Araneta but when I heard that they were going to check out a new buffet at NOVOTEL HOTEL, I quietly said yes to their invite to join them and try it out.
The new NOVOTEL HOTEL in the ARANETA area opened recently. Just a few months old, this has a business hotel feel to it. An oasis out of a concrete jungle. The lobby has Macs lined up in one corner while different seating areas at the other.
Since we weren't there to check-in but rather to bulk up, we went on over to FOOD EXCHANGE. The all day buffet option of NOVOTEL ARANETA.
Everything was spanking new. With operations being more or less just three months. Different stations lined up a long walk way.
A sexy meat cutting machine greeted us as we entered the buffet area.
Different slices of meat were lined up and were there for the taking.
There were also a lot of cheese in the chiller.
The first station that is just beside the meat and cheese would be the INDIAN section. This is the most impressive place to get your authentic INDIAN food. Aside from having a real Indian Chef manning it, there were a lot of dishes that definitely screamed Indian. From Tandoris to spices and made to order roti's and a bunch of cooked dishes. 
Beside it is the Chinese Section. Here you could ask them to cook your own noodle soup.
A couple of note worth dishes on the side would be the BEEF with HORSERADISH CREAM. These are tender meat kinda like steam with cream sauce. Sooo Good.
Aside from that, they also had SMOKED PORK in BARBECUE SAUCE. Pork Belly slices with a smoky sweet taste.
To its left is the Pasta section alongside with the carving station.
During that day, it was PASTA VERDE. I had a taste and it was somewhat basil and herbs. Sort of pestoish.
Their carving station hosts to different seafood ready to be grilled and of course it wouldn't be a buffet without roast beef. That and some grilled chicken.
They also have a cooking station that is used to create thin crust pizza.
Fresh pizza being made as the need demands it.
Fresh seafood like shrimp and different kinds of clams lined up a counter.
Here, different appetizers were also presented.
Different sliced and cured fish meats
To premade salads and make your own.
A buffet won't be complete without a sushi station.
Aside from salmon and tuna sushi, they also had different rolls.
If rice isn't your thing, they have freshly baked breads on one side.
Different juice drinks are also available on the buffet spread. 
There were actually two dessert counters.
There were actually two dessert counters.
One catering to Filipino sweet delicacies.
and another with different cakes and small pastries like this PRALINE OPERA CAKE.
Creme brulee.
This butter pudding was awesome. It was not too sweet and was deliciously made. From what I can see here is that they made use different bread from the pantry from the night or breakfast before. Something that made them absorb the flavors more.
Here are some of the dishes that went on the table. Grilled fish and shrimps.
All the good stuff in one plate.
A slice of this and that.
The crepe was good but the panna cotta was an epic fail though. It was too hard for comfort.
But the bread pudding was lovely and so as the mango creme dessert.
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Although THE FOOD EXCHANGE recently opened, I could see the potential. This dining option in NOVOTEL MANILA HOTEL has an excellent Indian Station and the service is through and through. Everything is spanking new. Even if this is just perceived as a business hotel, the place screams service and excellence. The food is normal for a hotel buffet though. It could be better but let's just wait and see. Time would tell.
*** Avail of Food Exchange Manila's limited time offer of Php 888 nett for buffet lunch (Mon-Sat) and Php 999 nett for buffet dinner to enjoy our cheese selections. Sunday buffet brunch at Php 1,588 nett also includes free flowing sparkling wine and cocktails. *** = from their Facebook Page. Suggest you call them first to make a reservation and verify if this promo is still up.
THE FOOD EXCHANGE
G/F NOVOTEL HOTEL MANILA
ARANETA CENTER, QUEZON CITY,
METRO MANILA
(632)990 7888
Disclaimer: paid for our meals. wrote this based on my experience.
Wow. I hope that the meat slicer is working efficiently to meet the demand of people lining up for it in the buffet. :) How new is this place, like when did it launch? Yup, there's the potential but it would be more awesome if they have more stuff for vegetarians (I'm thinking for my dad hehe).
ReplyDeleteWell I believe they have a lot of veggie dishes. If I'm not mistaken, it's only a couple of months old, so NOVOTEL MANILA has a few promo deals with certain credit card companies to offer discount. If I'm not mistaken though, they still have a lot to offer.
ReplyDeleteThe overall experience eating here for breakfast was disappointing. While the staff is friendly and trying, they are not being trained correctly and what you have serving are students working for free to fulfill an "On The Job Requirement". It's not the students fault, but the hotel that places profit before service. When you see the buffet, it's looks large and spread out only to find that it's mainly a lot of the same items "repackaged" to look different. Also the "OJT" attempt to provide service involved mainly removing your place, sometimes before you are ready (although they will ask you several times until they get it right). Also items are not replenished properly. I was there during a not so busy time so heaven help you if the hotel is busy and getting something like you wanted. I was happy to see they offered eggs benedict, but look at the slop they served. On top of that the egg were cold and sauce didn't taste correct. Oh well, lesson learned and never again.
ReplyDelete