Cravings Buffet: A Farm-to-Table Weekend Buffet You Shouldn’t Miss

 

Amidst the plethora of buffet restaurants that have cropped up left and right in the Metro, rarely do we come across one that features healthy and freshly picked organic ingredients, tossed and cooked to perfection. A sunny day called for an equally bright weekend buffet at the Cravings Buffet at their flagship branch in Katipunan.

 

 

 

Upon entering the lavish doors, we were greeted by a bright and serene ambiance that was casually elegant, making this restaurant ideal for family brunches and lunch dates.

 

 

 

Cravings proves that gourmet does not need to be expensive at Php 550++ per head. When you walk into Cravings Buffet, you’ll be treated to a feast of fresh and organic selections, truly employing that farm-to-table concept. At such an affordable price, you will already be treated to a Mongolian and soup and salad buffet, unlimited juice, and a mouthwatering grilled dish.

 

 

We were greeted by Chef Jo, who is at the helm of the weekend buffet and who was kind enough to help us create the best combination for our dishes. We started with Cravings Buffet’s ever-popular salad bar with the ingredients freshly picked from an Antipolo farm exclusively maintained by CCA. The vegetables are fresh, brightly colored, and wonderfully crisp, complemented by their delectable dressings. We tried two combinations: the sesame ginger oil , and the balsamic vinegar and thyme.

 

Salad with sesame ginger oil dressing.

 

The dressing brings a light and delicate flavor to the salad, and it has a very Asian profile to it. This combination is recommended if you plan on going all out with the buffet’s heavier food choices as not to overwhelm your palate.

 

Salad with balsamic and thyme vinaigrette. 

Balsamic vinaigrette is always a favorite companion to mixed greens, and the thyme gives it a bolder flavor.

 

Next, we tried the Mongolian buffet. While they offered rice, we were treated to pasta by Chef Jo, which has a pleasant, firm texture. The pasta goes very well with the two sauces we tried: the teriyaki sauce, and the Mongolian sweet and spicy sauce. 

 

The teriyaki will definitely please those with safer palates, though the Mongolian sauce has a bit of a kick to it. 

 

Their variety of grilled offerings has something in store for everyone with a meat of their choice: Pork Steak, Grilled Prawns, Chicken a la Pobre, Pan-Seared Cream Dory, and Prime Burger.

 

Prime Burger

The patty has a satisfying blend, with the right balance of flavor and smoke. 

Grilled Prawns

 

You can never really go wrong with seafood, and the smoke that goes into this otherwise mild and delicate-tasting seafare is extremely satisfying. I personally think that it would have been much better if it were grilled just a few seconds under, though.

 

Chicken a la Pobre

To our delight, the chicken was tender, moist, and flavorful even on the inside.

Pork Steak

When cut into, the meat is tender and juicy, which can satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

 

Our favorites, though, were the Pan-Seared Cream Dory, and the Chicken a la Pobre. The cream dory (not in photo) is delightfully complemented by the shredded onions on top, while the chicken a la pobre is satisfactorily moist, tender, and smoky.

 

 

After a filling buffet, we also tried the Unlimited Circles (Php 250), with a selection of their most popular cakes paired with the recently-launched Di Bella coffee. At only 250 pesos, you can enjoy an unlimited serving of their well-loved cakes and premium coffee. If you still have room for dessert after hitting up the buffet, or if you’re not too keen on the calories, this will definitely give you bang for your buck.

 

 

With a fresh and healthy concept buffet, who says your waistline has to suffer when you pig out? After an indulgent noche buena, tag your family along for a healthier post-Christmas lunch, or set your next date at the Cravings Buffet, where casual elegance meets passion for genuinely good food.

Get discounted prices by availing their pre-selling coupons (PhP495/head), or by advance reservations for a minimum of 4 persons (PhP500/head).

 

 

Cravings Buffet

 

Cravings Fresh Picks Buffet is available during lunch and dinner on weekends at Cravings Katipunan (441-6529), Cravings Shangri-La Plaza Mall (635-6088) and Cravings Molito (556-0927). 

Contact the numbers above for inquiries and reservations.

facebook.com/cravingsphilippines

 

 

Cravings Buffet: A Farm-to-Table Weekend Buffet You Shouldn’t Miss