OK, nobody died but if you eat here every day you might, haha! It is an exaggeration to prove a point which is similar to the Death by Powerpoint analogy in the corporate world. The buffet industry in the Philippines is big. This kind of eating arrangement has become popular back in the 90’s when restaurants introduced a new concept of eating out – Fulfilling all your cravings for different cuisines in one meal: ‘Eat All You Can!’ (or ‘All You Can Eat’).
I grew up with the ‘Smorgasbord’ concept, similar to ‘Buffet’ which my family does during special occasions such as birthdays and festivals. I really have no idea how a Swedish concept became a vernacular term and local practice? Although the ‘Eat-All-You-Can’ I am sure is borrowed from the American ‘All-You-Can-Eat’.
The family’s business in Cebu is throwing away their Christmas party at Vikings, one of the newest and largest buffet restaurants in the city. My mum just wanted to make things easier this time around. Last year they did a huge Christmas party, with food catering galore, a full-packed entertainment agenda and games et al. Too much work. Stress. So they want to simplify things by treating all the employees to an ‘Eat-All-You-Can’ Christmas lunch. Aside from the 13th-month pay given that is standard in the Philippines, each employee received a personal gift, a shopping gift certificate and they have the rest of the day free. Not bad at all =)
And so this is how I got invited for a free Christmas lunch at Vikings in SM City Cebu by the family. Of course, I won’t say no but if this was left to my decision, I do not think I would quickly go to a buffet restaurant.
I have never been a big fan of this buffet eat-as-much-as-you-can concept because how much can you eat really? I personally think it is downright expensive and ridiculously unhealthy. But I would definitely eat at these kinds of restaurants if they have an ala carte service, just like what Dutchman and I did last year at the Japanese restaurant in Transwijk Park in Utrecht called Zinnia. We were perhaps the only guests who ate from their ala carte menu that day, haha.
NO BINGE EATING PLEASE
But nevertheless, I am treating this buffet invitation to Vikings as an experience.
My big challenge would be what to eat. Exercising control is another thing. The temptation is strong, although I have a small stomach and at some point, I am sure it will tell me to stop eating. But it’s really more of the aftermath that is the issue. That ugly, sick and wasted feeling when your body has reached its food intake limit. Can you relate? It is suffering after the pleasure. But why in the first place would we want to reach that limit and suffer as a consequence? Perhaps this is part of marketing and food psychology. The idea that we are free to eat anything is everything. We are somewhat brainwashed because humans by nature are self-serving, ‘It’s a one-time eat-all-you-can thing for a fixed price.’ and so ‘Take advantage and get the most of what you have paid for.’ I find this really sick.
So my goal for this ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ Christmas lunch is not to feel sick and suffer. Forget about the everything goes concept. Don’t think about the value for my money, er well, I am not paying anyway as I am invited. Just eat normal thus NO binge eating!
First things first, we were given a small section of the restaurant so that we will have our own not-so-private area. The restaurant is open all throughout so you get people passing by all the time anyway. The food and drink stations were strategically located in the middle section and from end to end of the restaurant, giving good access and an efficient flow of traffic to all diners.
This is Viking’s slogan by the way – ‘Be merry, eat hearty, and eat like a Viking today.’
Nicely worded but Vikings tend to eat in barbaric ways =)
I cannot really recall how many food stations they have because, in my opinion, it was just too much. In fact, I have lost count and after some time I stopped taking pictures of the food. This is the first time I have seen such a huge buffet restaurant. But I was told that there is another one in the city that is much bigger. Oh, what the heck? I am left with no words, haha!
I guess for foodies or let me rephrase that because most foodies I know are selective gourmand types, for those who love to eat, a buffet restaurant is akin to a child entering a lavish and grand candy shop. You don’t know where to begin with! Because you want to taste a bit of everything, which you impossibly can’t. A person can only eat that much unless you are training to become a buffet master eater. Now, you definitely need a life or a health coach if that is the case.
So I settled for my usual favourites at the Japanese, Chinese and Filipino food stations. Sashimis, tempuras, a variety of seafood, chicharron (yes!) and lots of vegetables. I also took a portion of nachos but didn’t like their chilli con carne. I don’t like to leave food on my plate but this one I just have to. Not being a sweet-toothed person, I skipped dessert and went for coffee instead.
Towards the end of the lunch, I went to the toilet and bumped into an old high school classmate. She recognised me first and we got talking.
A few years ago, she messaged me on Facebook as she and her husband, both doctors, were going to attend a profession-related conference in Europe. They will be extending their stay in the continent visiting some capitals and Amsterdam was on their agenda. I was supposed to meet them but the week they were visiting the Netherlands I was travelling as well, so I just gave them tips on where to go, which they were very thankful for.
Ah, the world is smaller than we think. And it’s nice to see old familiar faces. It brings me back in time and always puts a smile on my face.
Anyway, I managed to tame down my eating and did not binge! Hallelujah, haha.
VIKINGS PICTURE GALLERY
Judge for yourself if you want to eat here through the pictures below.
Travel Period: December 2016
Destination: Cebu City (Cebu – Visayas Region), the Netherlands
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.