With buffets being popular in the Philippines, it’s quite hard to wow the foodies out there. Niu begs to differ with its quality food and abundant servings. The truth is, I was quite impressed since I’m really not a buffet fan unless it’s from a reputable hotel. Then Niu by Vikings happened….
I’m not sure about you but I usually start with the Japanese section. Tuna and salmon sashimi fills my small plate then I have one or two specialty maki on the side. It was quite hard to pick from the rolls presented to me. I had to pick from dynamite roll, Mexican roll, Alaskan roll, California maki, Barcelona roll, Las Vegas roll and Vegetarian roll. Japanese rice is quite heavy and I don’t wanna fill myself up at the first round. Then they also have tempura and I just get two pieces from it. They serve ebi tempura, kakiage and tonkatsu. On the grilled section, they serve chicken teppan and yasai itemie with miso soup.
Then I go to their appetiser and have a salad coz i just love eating fresh veggies. It’s also a good way to keep the body slim amidst the abundant food I’m about to partake. Niu also serves assorted cheese, cold cuts and some specialty appetisers one could not say no to. My favorite would be the caviar and the oyster dish.
It’s a chaos between the main dishes. There are so many sections to choose from. I decided to take on the Chinese section first because I saw from the other table how this lady is enjoying her noodles. The great thing about the noodles served by Niu is that they’re not ordinary. I grabbed a mixed of ink squid noodle, carrot noodle and egg flat noodle to my bowl and chose chicken soup to go with it. You can also add squid ball, fish ball, veggies and other meat with your noodles. There is also a choice of laksa if you’re not feeling like having chicken soup.
The Chinese section does not stop here. Niu offers assorted dimsum as well. Choose between hakaw, ube pao, taro cream porcupine bun, watercress dumpling, cupao and xiao long bao. On the hot dishes, they serve pata tim, steamed suahe, schezuan bbq, fish ginger onion crab, mixed veggie stir fry noodle, hot and sour soup and yang chow fried rice.
Don’t get tired tired yet because there is the Niu Filipino spread. They serve chicken inasal, grilled pork liempo, ox tripe and oxtail creamy kare-kare, lechon paksiw and lengua estofado. Somehow, I still find myself looking for sinigang and adobo. Sorry!
Then there’s the Thanksgiving spread! That’s how I coined this section. Just check out their meat gallery. Get crazy with binusog na lechon, stuffed turkey, beef ribs, leg of lamb, Angus chuck eye, rib eye and Angus belly. On the side you can choose from grilled baked potato with blue cheese and chive butter, corn on a cob, roasted local veggies with lemon scallion vinaigrette. If you think the meat section has ended. No way, Jose! There is also pork coriander with calamansi marinade, salmon head kabayaki, buffalo wings, chicken sambal and squid in thai dressing.
I’ve been craving for steak so I had to choose Angus beef for my mains. On the side I chose one of their complimentary dishes which is the foie gras ravioli. It is specially made so I had to wait for it to be served on my table.
On the side, I ordered specialty pasta. These complimentary dishes are only available during dinner and weekend luncheons. You can choose from foie gras ravioli, mushroom and brie croquetas or beef wellington. The pasta station also serves carbonara, truffled Cacio E Pepe, meaty bolognese, spaghetti vongole, aglio olio and tomato & basil.
I would like to call it quits by now but there’s still some hot pot dishes that I have not explored. Niu by Vikings also serves beef calbi jim, thai beef curry, roasted pork loin, chicken in sundried tuscan sauce, griloled fruits and vegetables, beef burgundy, paella valencia and iranian chicken roulade. If you’re craving for pizza, this buffet also serves mushroom and truffle pizza, spicy all meat pizza and stromboli.
Don’t quit on me yet! A buffet would not be complete without their dessert spread. I, especially enjoyed their Filipino desserts. Niu is serving puto bumbong, bibingka and assorted Filipino kakanin. On top is a halo halo station as well. I also love crepes and I was glad they have it here. Mine was served with blueberries. They also serve fruits so you can definitely grab some for your crepe. If you walk a little further, there is a chiller full of specialty cakes and other cold treats. Mango tapioca, oreo mousse, fruit salad, choco hazelnut mousse. blueberry pana cotta and buco pandan are the ones you can get here. For the ice cream section, they served black sesame, pistachio, mango royale (sugar free), rocky road, vanilla and ube. Walk a little more further and burn those calories so you can deserve donuts, more cakes and cookies at the end.
From this list, Niu by Vikings has already impressed me so much. Yet, my jaw dropped when they told me that there is unlimited wine, beer, fresh fruit shake inclusive of the buffet. A dinner here costs P1509 (less than 30 USD) all in and P1000 for lunch.
Niu by Vikings is located at
6th Floor, SM Aura Premier,
26th Street Corner McKinley Parkway, 1630 Taguig.
478-3888 or 847-3888 FB page
and
5th Floor, The Podium,
18 ADB Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
845-4647
