Spiral, Sofitel: Best Buffet in Manila

Buffets to me are very much like my loved ones — they are special, they tell stories, and I spend a lot of time with them.

I love buffets and believe me, I have been to many. I usually go there with people who are special to me but I don’t play favorites when it comes to buffets because for me, each one has its own strength and weakness.

One hot afternoon lunch in Spiral, Sofitel changed the way I looked at buffets. I think I may have found a favorite.

I have heard and read a lot about Spiral in Sofitel Manila. I heard about how the restaurant was revolutionized and now provides a whole new dining experience to its loyal customers ever since it re-opened in 2012. It measures an amazing 2,500 sq/m and is composed of 21 Ateliers.

Atelier is the workshop for artisan.  In Spiral, each station is called an atelier because it is where secret recipes are masterfully prepared and created right before your very eyes.

Let’s visit each atelier shall we?

La Boulangerie

This is where you’ll find warm and freshly baked baguettes, pain au chocolat, croissants and a selection of freshly baked breads – all hand rolled.

For the health concious, they also have healthy choices  which includse rye and gluten free breads.

L’Epicerie

I think this is my favorite among the ateliers. Meat and Cheese have a separate room in Spiral. It’s a glass enclosed and temperature controlled room filled with a wide variety of premium aged hams, charcuterie, smoked fish, artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland creamery products.

I was like a kid in a candy store and didn’t know where to begin. The cheese were freshly cut and its aroma fills the entire room.

The choices on the different kinds of meat and charcuterie left me speechless….

… as well as the choices of condiments. They have olives, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil,  and all other types of sauces.

L’Epicerie  alone is enough to give you a real gourmet experience.

 Asian Noodles

Hand pulled Asian noodles prepared many hours before; with a variety of broth, sauces and an extensive range of condiments and soup stocks to choose from. If that is not enough, ask the chef to make your own noodle recipe.

Ykaie eagerly waited for her noodles by the counter. She loves noodles and she couldn’t stop raving about how good the soup was!

Peking Duck Oven

This is where I headed after finishing my plate of meat and cheeses. In here you can find perfectly roasted peking duck, one of the Chinese atelier’s star dishes which goes back to the tradition of the Emperors Palace in Beijing during the Imperial times.

Beside the Peking Duck is tasty Char Siu and Lechon Macau with the crispiest skin!

Chinese Wok

The sight of flames, the sight and sound of the Chinese master chef cooking stimulates one’s appetite. Let him entice you to try his signature dishes reflecting all parts of China whether Cantonese, Hunan, Sichuan and regional. Also choose from a selection of Wok cooked Chinese dishes.

Steam Baskets

This is just beside the Asian Noodles atelier and you can get authentic steam and fried dimsum here to pair with your noodles:  from siao long pao, siomai, dumpling and wonton from all over China.

French Stove

This oven alone costs around ten million pesos, no wonder everything that comes out of the french stove also taste rich and looks glamorous! In here, you can find authentic French dishes, home-made seared foie gras, luscious roasted meat and carving, seafood, grilled food and regional French cuisines that will surely impress every gourmand.

I loved the grilled lobster, shrimp, and curacha.

North Indian

Inspired by maharajah of Northern India, your taste buds are in for a fiery and spicy treat. Discover the pomp and pageantry of Indian cuisine – North (naan and tandoori) and South Indian cuisine (dosa and chutneys) at its best.

Lavish and homemade dishes include tandoori-spiced meats with Indian and Asian breads and sauces. Vegetarians will surely have a feast with a selection of dal, paneers and chutney.

And guess what? They even have authentic Tandoori oven imported from India.

Salad and Appetizer

Fresh locally grown produce and organic colorful vegetables freshly picked from our garden will be tossed for you by our chefs with your choice of home made salad dressings. You can  opt to mix your own salad or just get from the freshly prepared ones. They even sell bottled dressings should you want to prepare your own salad at home.

L’Écailler

Jewels from the sea from oysters, salmon, prawns, crabs and other seafood sourced from all over the world prepared with fresh organic vegetables and your choice of sauces from white wine, vinegar or zesty lemons. Now, I regret not trying out the scallops..huhuhu.

Sushi Sashimi

I admire my brother who can eat sashimi by the plate! The only thing I could eat from this bar are the California Makis.

Hot Japanese

Ykaie went back and forth from this atelier and our table. She loves Ebi tempura and  she couldn’t get enough!Aside from the tempura, you can also get your fill of  traditional Japanese dishes, grilled sea food, meat and vegetables cooked at the robata or at the teppanyaki.

La Patisserie

Sweet endings are the perfect way to end a memorable dining experience. Look at that giant chocolate fountain! And in two flavors too! Aside from the chocolate fountains and delicious things you can dip into it, you can also enjoy  freshly baked French pastries of all shapes, fillings, textures and sizes.

Chocolaterie

Chocolates in all shapes, flavors, and sizes you can literally find in chests and drawers!

Indulge in artisanal chocolates, truffles and pralines intricately designed whether dark, white or milk chocolate from the best cocoa in the world and all freshly made for you by Spiral’s chocolatiers.

They also have a special temperature controlled room for the chocolates!

Oh, how I wished I could take one of these chocolate-filled suitcases home…

Creamery

All types of ice cream at the tip of your tongue from your favourite fruity and citrus flavors along with dark chocolates and toppings all made in house! I capped off my meal with two scoops of Salted Caramel from this atelier and it is indeed the perfect ending to my meal.

 My Plates

These are just four of my plates. A couple I even shared with my sister.

I don’t think you can try all the lavish dishes being served at the Spiral in a single visit.

If you’ll notice, I left out six ateliers which I wasn’t able to try which are: Rotisserie, Wood fired oven, Churrasco, Filipino,Thai, and Korean. I guess that means I will need to come back for these six. Although I don’t think the experience will ever be the same even if you eat at Spiral every single day. The chefs there make sure they reinvent their ateliers and serve different dishes so customers get a unique dining experience every time.

I would definitely be back here and next time I want peanutbutter♥ with me. Spiral is indeed the Best Buffet in Manila!

Private Dining Rooms

Should you want to dine privately, there are  6 private dining rooms available. Hidden (37 sqms, seating 10 people) and Voyeur (63 sqms, seating 12 people) both with a living room style complete with leather sofas and a big dining table.

Indulgence, Epicure, Decadence seating 12 people which could be joined together to fit 36 people and measuring 34 sqms each room. Tasting, a semi private dining room (33 sqms) is aless formal area to entertain guests up to 8 people.

Website : http://spiralmanila.com
Facebook : Spiral Manila
Twitter : @SpiralManila