Fairmont Makati’s Spectrum Buffet
Located at 1 Raffles Drive, Makati City, Fairmont Makati’s Spectrum serves as an all-day dining option for its stay-in and walk-in guests.
My parents and I have never eaten at hotels unless there’s an event or celebration by relatives or friends. Whenever I invite them to, they would always say that it’s too expensive and not worth it. So when Citibank offered a 50% off at Fairmont Makati’s Spectrum, I immediately grabbed the chance.
From the hotel lobby, turn right and keep going down the hall; past the elevators, and you’ll be able to locate the restaurant. Additionally, you can find the restroom outside the restaurant. From the restaurant’s reception, turn right. The restrooms should be on your left. Just so you know!
In order to preserve the intimacy of the place and the air of exclusivity for its guests, very limited number of tables are available. It’s also easy to navigate through the restaurant since there aren’t too many people. The high ceilings and decors, as well as the natural lighting from the windows, add hints of sophistication to the cozy ambiance of the restaurant. To be honest though, I do have one complaint. The pillar near the desserts area is such a nuisance. I wonder if they can re-position their ateliers?
Buffet rates vary from PHP 1,450.00 to PHP 3,077.00, depending on the time and day. With Citibank’s discount, rates are off by 50%. These rates likewise do not include drinks as an additional PHP 595.00 or PHP 1,000 (alcoholic) is required. For a full list of their rates, you can visit their web site here. Reservations are preferred but I don’t think required.
Random thoughts: Are these for free? Someone please enlighten me! Maybe I should have just asked the crew?
Random thoughts: While drinks are not part of the initial rates, they offer tea instead.
While the food selection is fewer when compared with other hotels’, Spectrum makes up for it with quality. Here are some of the stations that they have.
There are also other stations which I wasn’t able to take a picture of such as the carving / meat station, dim sum station and the desserts.
Now, let’s see what my poor palate has to say.
The first station I checked out was their meat and carving station. Here, I ordered the beef and lamb. As usual, you can ask for the doneness of your meat. This was by far the best meat dishes I ever had. Although there’s a lot of sauce in the picture, it’s very easy to tell how the meats were savory by themselves. Nice, soft and juicy!
From time to time, the crew would also offer you their hand-made pizza. I’m not very fond of thin crusts but I decided to try it anyway. Now, it was unexpectedly plain. There’s a powdery texture to it which I’m guessing is from the flour. Kids would probably like this, but for adults, you’re probably better off having their other dishes.
I had a few more other dishes but had reserved my appetite for desserts.
The Chilled Taho was magical and I can’t say any more. You better grab one and fast since these run out early. I also heard from my sister that they didn’t restock on this. I’m not sure though.
Overall, the food was good despite the selection. However, for the original price, I don’t think its worth going back. If not for Citibank’s discount, it’s not something I would have readily done. It’s probably the price or my parents’s influence or my lack of sophistication… The service, on the other hand, was impeccable. The crew are highly attentive and always ready to assist you. Every time you leave your table, you will always return to a neatly folded napkin.
