Day Hotel Buffet: A gastronomic journey called Indulgence

Buffets offer eye-catching, mind-boggling and stomach-grumbling array of food choices. Overwhelming from every direction, just from the mere sight of it, one can already exclaim “I’m full!” even without a single bite. And that’s how exactly how I felt at The Promenade at Days Hotel Iloilo

The grandest dinner buffet in town, “Indulgence” is the long standing Saturday dinner spread of the hotel. It promises a gastronomic trip around the world as it offers dishes from all corners of the globe spread throughout several stations that includes soups & bread, appetizers, salads, grill-carve-roast and desserts on top of the main buffet.

I began my food drive with a bowl soup. Simple yet savoury, the French onion soup perked up my appetite and was perfect with crostinis and croutons. Minutes later, I was stuck in appetizer traffic. There was a plate of ham, salami and other cold cuts plus galantina and devilled eggs. In contrast was a display of meatless hors d'oeuvre – different variety of Italian cheeses (provolone and mozzarella to name a few).

Beside it was tsukune (Japanese chicken meatballs) totally distracted me (got a stick every time I refuel) and so did the vegetable samosas. A platter of baked mussels in an eye-catching display - too attractive to be ruined, beckons. I can’t seem to find the right gastronomic direction – left, right, straight or even a u-turn!

Good thing, the salad station eased my ride. Already prepared were Tuna-Tomato-Basil salad with Olive dressing and Marble Potatoes with Three Mushrooms mix. There’s also a Cobb salad made with chopped tomatoes, crisp bacon, roasted chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, mango, chives, vinaigrette and kesong puti. I slowed down a bit to make my own light and healthy mix from the assortments (fresh fruits and vegetables grown organically) that make up the salad bar and discovered the peppery goodness of arugula leaves with thousand island dressing!

Then I steered to the most popular Japanese contribution to world cuisine – sushi and sashimi. The selection include makizushi, nigirzushi, norimaki, futomaki as well as tuna sashimi. Here, I made a drive through for a quick bite – California maki and rice with egg! And I grabbed some sashimi with wasabi-soy sauce concoction alongside.

The journey continued that evening and an hour later I made a stop-over at the main buffet. Now where to begin? The mixed seafood, vegetable and coldcuts rice (already) looked heavy in contrast to the light Creamy Basil Pesto Pasta with Shrimp.

There’s Cioppino, a fish stew originating in San Francisco and typically a combination of crabs, clams, shrimps, squid, mussels and fish cooked with fresh tomatoes in a wine sauce. A Greek specialty called Moussaka was uncovered as a layer of eggplant and meat topped with béchamel sauce.

Chicken Parmesan (chicken breast crusted with spices and parmesan cheese) and Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce were among the meat specialties I kept refueling on. Also in the selection was Lengua in Cream and Corn Sauce with creamy mashed potato on the side.

A queue at the carving and grill station revealed what patrons were ling up to –US roast beef plus salmon and dory grilled on request and topped with sauce. A perfect break to charge and continue the rest of my food journey.

“Lead us not into temptation…” I looked back just in time to see a missionary finishing the phrase as he stood in front of the desserts station. Indeed, one can easily forget to step on the brakes when confronted with this unmatched dessert buffet collection. No other buffets come close – I must say.

The most eye-catching were the Mango Cones high up on the display – cream-filled cones with mango and chocolate topping. Equally inviting were Heavenly Bite Chocolate Cake – richest chocolate cake I ever had, and the Strawberry Tart Pie. The selection has beautifully crafted individual desserts that include Kiwi Fruit Mess, Chinese Crème Brulee, Pineapple Mousse and Caramel Walnut Cheesecake For the health conscious there’s some carrot cake, banana pudding and a fresh fruits in season alongside.

Wait there’s more – fruity cheesecakes, assorted trifles, panna cottas with fresh fruit topping, verrines, cookies and bonbons. There’s also a crepe station, a soufflé section, an ice cream bar – now what more can you ask for!

Two hours later and with a glass of kamias (iba) shake, my food expidition came to an end. But there’s a lot more to discover on your own. Take the Indulgence gastronomic journey every Saturday from 6-10pm at The Promenade, Days Hotel and experience the best buffet in Iloilo City!

The Promenade at Days Hotel Iloilo

4th Level of The Atrium

Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City

Tel Nos. 337-3297, 336-8801 to 10

www.dayshotel.com.ph

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This article appeared on The News Today last March 25, 2011

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