Chef Laudico’s Feasts Opens at SM City Clark Pampanga

It’s no secret that I’m such a foodie. But ever since I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, I’ve learned to decline food invitations with a few exceptions of course. I’ve been asked by my friend and fellow food blogger, Edel if I wanted to represent her to experience Chef Laudico’s Feasts at SM City Clark Pampanga. Since I’m not that busy, I jumped at the chance to visit the said restaurant which I later learned turned out to be another food paradise. 

 To be perfectly honest, I’m one of those people who wonder what made celebrity couple chefs Rolando “Chef Lau” Laudico and wife Chef Jackie Laudico to open a buffet type of restaurant in Pampanga. In an interview we’ve had with them, Chef Lau and Chef Jackie openly admitted that they were discouraged by well-meaning friends to do so. It is common knowledge that Kapampangans are the best cooks in the country since Pampanga is the food capital of the Philippines. However, these chefs take pride on the fact that it is a challenge on their profession as chefs to prove that they have something new to offer even to the most discriminating palate.

Sambokojin Opens its 6th and largest branch at SM Fairview Annex

Food is synonymous to happiness. Whenever I feel the blues, all I need to do is find a good place to eat and everything will be alright again. And what better way to get such but from a buffet restaurant? One of the known buffet restaurants now in the metro is Sambo Kojin which had recently opened its biggest branch at the SM City Fairview Annex. Sambo Kojin, for those who aren't familiar with it yet offers a wide variety of the best and most popular Japanese (sushi, takoyaki, ramen, kamameshi rice, sukiyaki, tempura and katsu) and Korean dishes (Beef Bulgogi, samgyeupsal, kimchi rice, korean sushi among many others.) cooked in authentic Yakiniku (smokeless grill) style that give guests an ultimate dining experience. 

Sambo Kojin is named after the six-armed deity from the Japanese mythology who bestowed fire to mankind to drive away impurity and evil. It is also the guardian of the stove who was believed to ensure blessings of a good meal. 

One thing I had noticed at Sambo Kojin's largest branch in SM Fairview was the open kitchen and the spic and span set up. Compared to the other Sambo Kojin branches I've been to, the tables here are a bit smaller so it can accommodate more guests. Function rooms are also available for private parties. The chefs could see the people coming as they prepare the dishes. It also features the restaurant's flavorful feasts of US marbled top grade tender beef along with the freshest seafood dishes served, spiced and cooked according to the guest's preference. 

Quezon Buffet Restaurant Fishermall Food Review

I'm always a big fan of both Pinoy and traditional Spanish cuisine, so when we found this restaurant called Quezon Buffet restaurant in Quezon City area, we immediately checked it out. I was curious to find out if they could live up to my expectations. It did!  

Coun. Yul Sevo, TV host Bobby Yan and a beauty queen.

 I enjoyed everything that I’ve tried out on: from the salted egg vinaigrette salad dressings, sinigang-based salad dressings on arugula and romaine lettuce, main dishes such as tiger prawns in garlic and butter, molo soup, pakbet, beef tapa, dinakdakan, an array of l crispy lechon and I especially loved their seafood paella.  This restaurant offers a wide range of filipino dishes with a modern take into it. I love the twist on the menu and well-loved dishes. It's not pricey but we still enjoyed quality buffet and it's still not as expensive as other restaurants in its class. Ambience is smart-casual, with a relaxed atmosphere, well-lit and homey interiors, plus service is very good. Can't wait to have a chance to go back again when I'm around that area! Highly recommended!

Quezon Buffet's Seafood Paella

Had visitors from France recently that I wanted to treat to some Filipino food and decided to go to back to Quezon Buffet restaurant [that’s why it had taken quite sometime for me to write about my experience]. My foreign visitors were really impressed and I was happy considering that one of them was eating Filipino food for the first time. And you know that the French are very particular about what they eat and drink. Service was good, quick and unobtrusive. And the best thing about this dining experience was it didn't cost much. Definitely this is a restaurant you can bring foreign visitors to. It makes you proud to be Filipino.

Present during the Quezon Buffet restaurant robbing cutting ceremony were Councilor Yul Sevo and several beauty queens.

Lovely interiors kinda brings you back to the 1800s during Spanish Times. Perfect place to end the night. I was really impressed with the Adobo, which I had come to consider a relatively unimpressive dish due to my experience elsewhere in the Philippines, but here it was delicately cooked, the meat pieces properly selected and it was tender and full of flavours. 

The staff were polite, but did not seem to be interested to advise us and left our friends to make decisions without making any suggestions. 
Due to the large variety of the dishes on the buffet there is no point in going through favourites. You will probably have to go several times to try enough dishes to know what you like best. 

Overall good value for money. The Filipino and Spanish food and were nicely complemented by the decor and atmosphere of the end of century (post colonial) Manila.

Quezon Buffet restaurant is located at the 2nd level of Fishermall in Quzon Avenue, Quezon City. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100 %  my own. 

DADS World Buffet: The World On Your Plate--International Cuisine at its Finest!

Pigging out on all-you-can-eat was first introduced in the Philippines by DADS-Kamayan-Saisaki owners, The Villavicencio Family. They're a pioneer in the food industry since they've been in the business for more than 20 years--proof of their excellent food and quality service.  In this day and age, a number of buffet restaurants have sprouted like mushrooms, DADS-Kamayan-Saisaki held its place on the top being the original. Last year, I wrote about my review on DADS World Buffet. Foodies will be happy to note that all DADS-Kamayan-Saisaki restaurants have been converted into DADS World Buffet. Yes, DADS Glorietta, DADS EDSA, DADS Manila and DADS West Avenue in Quezon City are included. As the name implies, our beloved DADS restaurant are now serving more sumptuous dishes from around the world. 

I recently took a tasting tour of DADS World Buffet and believe me, the experience really was having the world on your plate. You don't need to travel far to have a taste of the best dishes in the world because it's all under one roof---at DADS World Buffet. It saves you time and lots of money because what DADS World Buffet offer are authentic international cuisines.

"What makes our buffet spread different is that although we continue to add other dishes, we make sure that every dish is available everyday. With buffets, everyone has his or her favorite, and some people can't change their minds and are not willing to try other dishes. They'd come to DADS World Buffet with that particular dish in mind, to simply enjoy it. We don't want to disappoint them so we have our dishes everyday," says Mara Villavicencio of DADS World Buffet. They are very particular with quality and consistency which is such a good thing.

Personally, I love DADS World Buffet because they're not your traditional buffet. There's so much variety and specialties to choose from. I even had a bone marrow on my Bulalo (beef soup), sizzling balut (considered as aphrodisiacs by Filipinos) and my ultimate favorite: crispy salmon chicharon (a healthier version of chicharon because it's made from fish not pork rind). Oh, I almost forgot! You've got to try New Zealand's lamb, US Roast Turkey and DADS Signature ham. 

                Sizzling Balut

        Crispy Salmon Chicharon

   A lady tries Chinese fare at DADS World Buffet

        Oyster Rockefeller

DADS World Buffet is even more than just dining destinations, it aims to please foodies as well as the average Juan or Juana who likes to load their plates. It is an upscale restaurant and not a mass feedery because it has a sleek, chic and ultra-contemporary, with comfortable chairs, cool Filipino musicians willing to play for you from the hippest music of Bruno Mars or One Direction to sweet old Kundimans. 

                   Gyoza

    

Buffet standards are dishes from around the world---some cooked in front of you. They include custom sushi cones, made-to-order crêpes, pasta, grilled seafood and meat etc. Standouts on my tasting tour included Mexican pork carnitas with salsas, fajitas with guacamole and pita bread, Chinese dumplings, Korean Kalbi, Spanish Tapas such as gambas, chorizo croquetas, pollo al ajello, calamare con potato gratin, Thailand's fish todlad prik, and Churrasco, Chimichuri, Pritson, Satay, Kebab and whew! There's more to mention, my blog space isn't enough. 

Chef at work at the Korean Noodle Station

Mom and daughter picks their own pasta and sauce

      Quesadillas and salsa

             Korean Kalbi

DADS World Buffet also offers an amazing number of sushi choices--they've got more than 70 choices to choose from! For Katsu, they've got hire, sakana, rosu, menchi, chicken and salmon katsu. Those who love Japanese foods will certainly enjoy. Do I see a lot of hands raising eh? Well, count me in! 

      Tonkatsu at its best

The crêpes made to order with fresh fruits and marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate or strawberry drizzled on top are enough to satiate those with sweet tooth. They say the feast for the eyes are the same with one's stomach. The desert station's décor is elaborated with sweet confections that line dessert cases, including fruit carvings. While you're there, try the crême brulée, gelato or mousse. They're all divine and awesome!

While other eat-all-you-can buffets have that steep prices + unbelievably long lines making one starve overtime--DADS World Buffet maintains a reasonable price including drinks.  They have all kinds of drinks--sodas, juices, iced tea, chocolate drinks (for the kids) and fresh fruit shakes. 

DADS World Buffet Rates:

DADS Lunch (Monday-Friday) Php688*

DADS Dinner (Monday-Friday) Php888*

DADS Lunch and Dinner (Weekends and Holidays) Php888*

DADS Merienda Buffet (3:00-5:00PM) Php258*

*DADS Senior Citizen Treat: Diners 70 years old and up get 50% off the buffet regular rates, simply present a valid ID. Children below 3ft. eat for free, the restaurant has a height chart and younger kids will be charged according to height. Kids 4ft and above are considered adults. 

Here's my last piece of advice before coming to DADS World Buffet, make sure you come early if you intend to eat for lunch, DADS become jampacked as soon as it hits 12nn. So you better come early. For merienda buffet, it starts from 3PM until 5PM. Lastly, Walk past every dish to see what you want, then decide later if you want to save room for dessert. Bon appetite!

DADS World Buffet

4/F Bridgeway, SM Megamall

EDSA, Mandaluyong City

636-3785/633-1758

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own.