SPIRAL BUFFET: Guide to Asia’s Most Dynamic Interactive Dining @ Sofitel Manila!

UPDATE: SPIRAL BUFFET: Our Top 10 Favorites in SPIRAL Sunday Brunch, BEST Buffet in Town!

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After 13 months of re-conceptualization and an extensive USD 11 million investment, SOFITEL’s flagship restaurant SPIRAL is back to provide the Most Dynamic Interactive-Dining Experience in Asia, and the Ultimate-Buffet Experience in Manila. 

SPIRAL’s goal is “to bring the authenticity and warmth of the traditional French markets and Asian hawker stalls into a five-star hotel setting“. It recreated 21 Ateliers (workshop for artisans) where secret recipes are masterfully prepared right before your very eyes.

I must admit, it can be overwhelming. This post provides a guide on what foodies rave most about, what not to miss, and offer suggestions on how to further improve the experience. 

Let me tour you around the New SPIRAL…

2013 Luxurious Sofitel Escape Series:

• SPIRAL: Guide to Asia’s Most Dynamic Interactive Dining Experience @ Sofitel Manila!
• LE SPA “Duo” Couples Romantic Ritual @ Sofitel
• SOFITEL Overnight & SPIRALS’ Champagne Breakfast!
• SOFITEL: SPIRAL’s Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch!?

Best Sunday Brunch Series 2013:

• SOFITEL: SPIRAL’s Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch!?
• IMPRESSIONS Sunday Brunch Buffet – A Foodie’s Buffet Favorite 🙂
• MARRIOTT CAFE Sunday Brunch Buffet Crossover with CRU STEAKHOUSE!
  
• RAFFLES & FAIRMONT SPECTRUM Luxe Sunday Brunch!
• DUSIT THANI: Sunday Family Brunch Buffet (Umu and Basix Crossover)

Here are the quick stats about Spiral and the overall layout of the 21 Ateliers:

Size of Restaurant: Total area of 2, 921 sqms (La Veranda: 270 sqms)
Seating Capacity: Total of 452 seating capacity (Indoor – 396 seats, Outdoor – 56 seats)

Cuisines: Twenty-one dining ateliers:

• Salad and Appetizer, 
• L’Écailler, 
• Sushi Sashimi, 
• L’Epicerie, 
• Hot Japanese, 
• French Stove, 
• Rotisserie, 
• Wood fired Oven, 
• Churrasco, 
• North Indian, 
• Asian Noodles, 
• Peking Duck Oven, 
• Steam Baskets, 
• Chinese Wok, 
• Filipino, 
• Thai, 
• Korean, 
• La Boulangerie, 
• La Patisserie, 
• Chocolaterie and 
• Creamery.

THE CHEESE ROOM

#1 L’Epicerie. Meat and Cheese lovers will be on seventh heaven in this room where one could feast from a wide variety of premium aged hams, charcuterie, smoked fish, artisanal cheese from France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland creamery products.  Pair them with olives, herbs, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, sauces and condiments for a real gourmet experience. 

The Cheese Room is the most-raved-about feature of the new Spiral.

It offers an extensive array of artisanala cheese! (in photo: Manchego, Tomme de Saoie, Gouda, Gruyere, Comte)

You can get unlimited parmesan for your pasta, pizza, and other dishes.

You can satisfy your craving for Hamon Iberico and

… other premium- aged hams, and charcuterie 🙂

Your cheese and ham platter are not complete without 

… different nuts, dried fruits, olives

… herbs, sun dried tomatoes, sauces and other condiments.

(Suggestion: Can you please bring back the Honey Cheese Truffle Sauce?)

FRENCH CUISINE BY THE FRENCH

#2 French Stove. With every dish meticulously prepared, authentic French dishes are a labor of love.  Savour home-made seared foie gras, luscious roasted meat and carving, seafood, grilled food and regional French cuisines that will surely impress every gourmand.

We loved every dish served in the French Kitchen starting with…

the Unlimited Foie Gras during dinner,

expertly-cooked pastas,

French soup of the day, and

different hot French dishes cooked from Bonnet French stove – a customized oven used by Michelin Star Chefs around the world and weighing one ton of steel.

I personally like the freshly-cooked shrimp with turmeric 🙂 

#3 Wood fired oven. Pizza with pizzazz – just as the Italian “Mama” makes it at the traditional wood-fired oven with fresh ingredients.

Nothing beats pizza from traditional wood-fired oven available as part of the buffet. 

CARNIVORES’ HEAVEN

#4 Churrasco. Savor a variety of mouthwatering juicy skewered steaks and sea food with matching hot sauces and your choice of herbs straight from the churrasco which originates from Brazil.  Ask the chefs that move around to grill what their fine meats and seafood are on offer that day.

The Churrasco Boys are always there to fulfill your Carnivore Craving like…

Pork Shoulders,

Leg of Lamb,

Beef Striploin Medallion Wrapped in Bacon, and

Beef Prime Rib…

… with an extensive selection of herbs, sauces, and condiments for your meat- eating pleasure.

#5 Rotisserie. The aroma of roasted meats triggers the sense of taste and brings back the time honored traditions since 1400 in Paris.   Slow cooked meats give you a chance to try a selection of home – cooked lamb, chicken and pork with its rich natural juices blended with various marinades and herbs from the secret recipes of our chefs. 

Often overlooked is the Rotisserie Chicken roasted on the spot, usually with

the Pork Pata Tim 🙂

Tip: If you like the marinated beef type, go to the Korean Section… 

… for the sweet Grilled Korean Beef 🙂

JAPANESE TEPPANYAKI, SUSHI & SASHIMI!

#6 Hot Japanese. From a delectable choice of fresh natural ingredients, Japanese cuisine never ceases to amaze one with its simplicity and artistry.  Enjoy a selection of traditional grilled sea food, meat and vegetables cooked at the robata or at the teppanyaki.

Another new introduction to the SPIRAL experience is the Teppanyaki Grilled Meat and Seafood.

I particular love the grilled seafood !

(Suggestion: The Angus Rib Eye offered usually lacked in taste and you need to add teppanyaki sauce for flavoring. Sometimes it’s also hard to chew, so select the meat with a good marbling. Maybe, they can double-check the supply of their meat.)

#7 Sushi Sashimi. A raw bar with all the fresh sushi and sashimi prepared for you by our sushi chefs.  Japanese rituals abound at this cold stone counter.  Temakis and nigiri are in abundance.  

You can also try the Fresh Sushi and ….

… Fresh Sashimi, 

… Yakitori with Bacon-wrapped variations, and

 

… Unlimited Shrimp Tempura!

 

 

CHINESE FOOD FOR THE DISCRIMINATING CHINESE

#8 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.  Try the authentic steamed and fried dimsum from different parts of China.

I love Chinese Food and I am married to a beautiful Chinese; that means we  have Chinese Food every time there is a special celebration in my wife’s family.  SPIRAL  serves one of the best Chinese cuisines in Manila. 

You can try their different noodles with chicken broth or …

… the spicy Laksa broth 🙂

#9 Steam Baskets. Savor endless authentic steam and fried dimsum from siao long pao, siomai, dumpling and wonton from all over China.

The dimsum did not disappoint as well.

We usually order 8-10 pieces of Hakaw for each growing boy 🙂 It’s so yummy!

After the hakaw, we would also horde the Buchi 🙂

#10 Peking Duck Oven. Roasted to perfection, enjoy 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.  Also on offer are  Chinese barbecue.

You can also satisfy your Peking Duck craving in the Spiral’s buffet.

#11 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.

As there’s almost a complete selection of our Chinese Favorites, we often neglect the Chinese Wok dishes created by the Chinese Master chef.

 

 

SOMETHING EXOTIC: NORTH INDIAN & VEGETARIAN

#12 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. 

For something exotic, you can select from the prepared North Indian Cuisine,

and Tandoori cooked meats.

If you are vegetarian, the North Indian Station is the best for you with a good selection of dal, paneers and chutney.

 

THE BUFFET BASICS

#13 La Boulangerie. Follow the smell of warm and freshly baked baguettes, pain au chocolat, croissants and you end up at the La Boulangerie right at Spiral where you can choose from a selection of freshly baked breads – all hand rolled.  Healthy choices include rye and gluten free breads.  

Typically, we would often skip the bread because it fill you up quickly and lessens your capacity to savor other favorites. 

#14 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.

I usually love to start my meal with a healthy serving of Salad.

#15 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. Indeed, the world is your oyster, this time, its freshly shucked oyster by the l’écalier. 

There’s fresh seafood galore from oysters to prawns, and sometimes lobsters too 🙂

#16 Filipino. Warm your palates with a delectable array of traditional Filipino dishes like beef tapa and adobo with its unique sauces from coconut base and dashed with spices. These can be paired with your all-time favourites such as the mouth-watering kare kare with its peanut based sauce and the amazing crispy pata among the many which will want you to crave for more.  Surely just take the culinary adventure and try the Filipino dishes with homemade and heirloom recipes from our notable Spiral Chefs. 

For tourists, they can savor the Filipino all-time favorites like Adobo, Kare Kare and Bulalo (Beef Shank Soup).  

(Suggestion: I wonder why there’s no Lechon in the Filipino Food line-up)

#17 Thai. Fiery flavors of Thai cuisine beckon you with its fabled soups and curries. In contrast to the chili dishes Thailand is known for, Thai food infuses a lot of zesty lime, kaffir and basil to its rich flavors. 

You can also explore the rich flavors of Thai food…

#18 Korean. Sizzling plates and freshly tossed vegetables await Korean food aficionados.  Korean dishes like dakdoritang (spicy chicken stew) and changjorim (soy braised bean), kimchi, bulgogi , beef short rib barbeque, chili chicken barbeque, pork rib barbeque, squid chili barbeque, bibimbab , five kInds of kimchi and five kinds of namal will be on offer for you.

… and Korean Food (specially the kim chi).

EXTENSIVE DESSERT SELECTION 🙂 

#19 La Patisserie. Sweet endings are the perfect way to end a memorable dining experience – succumb to the temptation of freshly baked French pastries of all shapes, fillings, textures and sizes. 

Not one but three flavors of Chocolate Fondue — Chocolate, Milk, and Strawberry.

Marshmallows on sticks with chocolate fondue is always a hit with kids and the kids-at-heart.

(Suggestion: Can you please bring back the freshly- baked soft chocolate chip cookie that every Foodie would look forward to in the old Spiral buffet? It was one of the reasons why we love to go to Spiral and I wonder why it was removed in favor of just serving it on a bowl.)

#20 Chocolaterie. Chocolates are the stuff sweet dreams are made of. 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 our chocolatiers.  One bite of these devilishly good chocolates will surely send you to seventh heaven with its intense flavors and colors. 

We love the extensive selection of Sweet Desserts in the New Spiral Experience!

I can’t help but get pieces of chocolate pralines, the dark chocolate rum truffle or the cute bear chocolates, every time I pass by this station.

Don’t miss the bestseller: Vanilla Milk Rice Pudding with Caramel Sauce (tall container with lid).

For the kids, Gummi Bears and …

… and lots of candies in different shapes and flavors 🙂

(Tip: Best time to bring your kids here is during dessert time.)

I love the look of the seasonal fruits section where the colorful and mouth-watering fruits are cut in front of you.

(Suggestion: I do hope they have fresh and sweet mangoes in the buffet).

Crepes anyone?

Do-it-yourself Halo Halo by my Mercato Centrale partner RJ Ledesma 🙂

In time for Christmas season, Puto Bumbong and Bibingka!

#21 Creamery. Imagine sweet temptations – all types of ice cream at the tip of your tongue from your favourite fruity and citrus flavors along with dark chocolates and toppings.

Usually, we would end the meal with a creamy serving of artisan ice cream…

… with tiny yummy pieces of chocolate balls. Don’t miss this 🙂

 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY DINNER vs. SUNDAY BRUNCH

The Sunday Brunch includes an unlimited serving of premium Champagne! You can choose from Martini Asti (P1,800/bottle), Marguet, Blanc de Noirs, Crut (P4,000/bottle) and Moet Chandon Champagne.

You can create your own Mimosa (Champagne + Orange), Mango Royal (Champagne + Mango juice) or Kir Royal (Champagne + Creme de Cassis).

The Unlimited Champagne is also available during the weekend Spiral Breakfast.

During dinner, you can order wines and spirits from the mobile bar.

The Sunday Brunch Ambiance is Comfy Elegance…

… with live Jazz music lifting your spirits to a new high.

During Sunday Brunch, there’s a limited selection of vegetable and fruit juice coolers. 

At night, the ambiance is posh romantic with the four new chandeliers creating the mood.

(Note: Photo was taken during the SPIRAL’s launch and this is how Spiral is illuminated at night)

The unlimited foie gras is only available at night 🙂

Don’t miss the elegant candle ceremony at 6.30pm to open the Spiral Buffet.

SPIRAL ladies with candle lights in a Rajo Laurel creation.

“Rhythmic movements” 21-foot sculpture located behind the iconic Spiral staircase by Eduardo Castrillo, National artist – man’s tribute to nature by using industrial elements such as bronze sheets and tubes to mimic the graceful movement of a developing plant.

OVERALL, I’m proud to have the most interactive dining experience right here in Manila at SPIRAL.

I personally love The Cheese Room’s wide artisanal choice, the French Cuisine (with unlimited Foie Gras), really good Chinese Dimsum, the Chocolate Dessert Buffet and the Unlimited Champagne during Sunday Brunch.

I do hope they can bring back the freshly- baked chocolate chip cookie and the honey cheese truffle sauce 🙂

 

SPIRAL
SOFITEL LUXURY HOTELS Philippine Plaza Manila
CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines
Official Website: www.SofitelManila.com
Sofitel’s Facebook: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
SPIRAL’s Facebook: SPIRAL MANILA
Twitter: @SofitelManila
YouTube: Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila
Email: FBReservations@SofitelManila.com
Telephone: +632 832-6988 or 551-555 Loc. 6988

Operating Hours and Buffet Net Prices (As of November 2012):

Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 am – 10: 30 am
Monday to Friday: P1,719.55 (Adult), P982.60 (Kids rate)
Saturday-Sunday: P1,965.20 (Adult), P1,105.43 (Kids rate)

Lunch: (Mon- Sat): 12 noon – 2:30 pm
Monday to Saturday: P2,431.94 (Adult), P1,351.08 (Kids rate) 

Brunch: (Sun): 12 noon – 3:00 pm 
Sunday: P3,046.06 (Adult), P1,596.73 (Kids rate)

Dinner: (Daily) 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm 
Sunday to Thursday: P2,800.41 (Adult), P1,596.73 (Kids rate)
Friday & Saturday: P3,046.06 (Adult), P1,596.73 (Kids rate)

* Prices are subject to change without prior notice 

Supper at La Veranda: 11: 00 pm – 1:00 am  

Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 130 addresses, in more than 50 countries. Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, Fiji Islands or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”.

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com
Discover A|Club at Sofitel, the new worldwide Accor loyalty program on www.aclub.com

SOFITEL Staycation Series 2014

• SOFITEL: Ultimate Foodie Staycation Experience!
• LE BAR: Romantic French Wine Pairing Dinner
• LE SPA: Secret Wine Lover’s Treatment at Jardin d Eden
• SPIRAL BUFFET: 10 Reasons Why We Love SPIRAL!

2013 Luxurious Sofitel Escape Series

• SPIRAL: Guide to Asia’s Most Dynamic Interactive Dining Experience @ Sofitel Manila!
• LE SPA “Duo” Couples Romantic Ritual @ Sofitel
• SOFITEL Overnight & SPIRALS’ Champagne Breakfast!
• SOFITEL: SPIRAL’s Ultimate Sunday Champagne Brunch!?

2007-2009 SOFITEL Blog Posts

• A Suite Romance Anniversary
• Best Buffets in Manila: Spiral, Sofitel
• Planning Your Awesome Sofitel Escape
• Spending the Night at The Imperial Suite, Sofitel

Live an Awesome Life,

 
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Follow @antondiaz in Twitter and @OurAwesomePlanet in Instagram.
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If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: Our Awesome Planet was invited to the launch event of the new Spiral to experience the buffet and to stay overnight stay as their guest courtesy of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila but I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I have no business relationship with any company mentioned in this post or any organization promoting it. As a policy, I don’t accept advertising from food and travel places we feature in the blog. 

P.S. Where to sit is an important decision to maximize your dining experience at Spiral. Here’s a guide:

PRIVATE ROOMS

If you are a group of 8 or more people, reserve one of the private rooms. 

Voyeur (63 sqms, seating 12 people) with a living room style complete with leather sofas and a big dining table.  

Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 am – 10: 30 am: NO RESERVATIONS
Lunch: (Mon- Sat): 12 noon – 2:30 pm: P16,000+++ 
Brunch: (Sun): 12 noon – 3:00 pm: P24,800+++ 
Dinner: (Daily) 
Sunday to Thursday 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm  : P18,000+++
Friday & Saturday 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm  : P24,800+++ 

*for private dining usage, per meal period charging

Hidden (37 sqms, seating 10 people) with a living room style complete with leather sofas and a big dining table.   

Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 am – 10: 30 am: NO RESERVATIONS
Lunch: (Mon- Sat): 12 noon – 2:30 pm: P16,000+++ 
Brunch: (Sun): 12 noon – 3:00 pm: P19,840+++ c
Dinner: (Daily) 
Sunday to Thursday 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm  : P18,000+++ 
Friday & Saturday 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm  : P19,840+++

*for private dining usage, per meal period charging

Tasting, a semi private dining room (33 sqms) is a less formal area to entertain guests up to 8 people. 

Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 am – 10: 30 am: NO RESERVATIONS
Lunch: (Mon- Sat): 12 noon – 2:30 pm: P12,000+++ 
Brunch: (Sun): 12 noon – 3:00 pm: P14,800+++ 
Dinner: (Daily) 
Sunday to Thursday 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm  : P14,000+++ 
Friday & Saturday 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm  : P14,800+++ 

*for private dining usage, per meal period charging

Indulgence, Epicure, Decadence seating 12 people which could be joined together to fit 36 people and measuring 34 sqms each room. 

Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 am – 10: 30 am: NO RESERVATIONS
Lunch: (Mon- Sat): 12 noon – 2:30 pm: P16,000+++ 
Brunch: (Sun): 12 noon – 3:00 pm: P24,800+++ 
Dinner: (Daily)
Sunday to Thursday 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm  : P18,000+++ 
Friday & Saturday 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm  : P24,800+++ 

*for private dining usage, per meal period charging

MAIN DINING ROOM

You can specify where you want to sit when you make your reservation.

Station 100. This is near the Asian Stations and best if you have tourists or foreigners with you.

Station 200. Go for this if you like a high- ceiling ambiance but this is a less private area because it is beside the high-traffic escalator.

If you are only two, you might want to reserve the table near the fountain below the spiral staircase.

Station 300. This is the best for Filipinos who love desserts because it is beside the Dessert Stations.

If you reserve early, you can specify the couch tables in either Station 200 or Station 300 area.

Station 400. This is the most private couch dining tables because there’s not a lot of people passing through this side. Specify the tables near the wine cellar.

LA VERANDA

The indoor trendy lounge (270 sqms) that opens to an outdoor terrace with four gazebos leading to the iconic lagoon shape poolside the hotel is famous for. One could literally watch the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky from the ceiling in the comfort of a glass enclosed lounge.        

For a bar mood ambiance you can dine at La Veranda which is usually reserved for Ala Carte diners.

You can reserve the outside tables so that you can watch the sunset while sipping your cocktails 🙂

P.P.S. We are honored that Tim Yap once described Mercato Centrale Food Market as the Cubao Expo version of SPIRAL. We are inspired by the new Spiral to take Mercato to a whole new level.