Cafe Ilang-ilang - Manila

Perhaps Cafe Ilang-Ilang is one of the most underrated hotel buffet options in the Metro. Despite so, it's definitely one of my favorites for several reasons: 1... read more Perhaps Cafe Ilang-Ilang is one of the most underrated hotel buffet options in the Metro. Despite so, it's definitely one of my favorites for several reasons: 1. They serve quality food. Have you tried their seafood and meat options. Divine. Everything they cook is cooked to perfection. They are also willing to customize ever dish to your liking. 2. The seating area is all well-planned. You know how intrusive it is to hear the chatter from the next table? Cafe Ilang-Ilang's interior design makes it very easy for groups to enjoy their privacy while enjoying their meals. 3. Service staff is excellent. They refill waters the moment you need it and take away used plates as soon as you finish your last bite. They're efficient like that.

Cafe Ilang-Ilang's reasonably priced high-quality food definitely proves that good food does not always have to be expensive. read more Cafe Ilang-Ilang's reasonably priced high-quality food definitely proves that good food does not always have to be expensive.

The buffet is spread out across a spacious dining area, featuring separate stations that showcase major cuisines from around the world. You can find Filipino, C... read more The buffet is spread out across a spacious dining area, featuring separate stations that showcase major cuisines from around the world. You can find Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Italian, American, Mexican, and Mediterranean dishes, along with burgers, wings, wraps, sushi, pizza, pasta, a variety of international cheeses, fresh oysters, a seafood section, a carving station, an array of salads, and, my favorite part, a huge dessert table. Everything is beautifully presented, and the layout of the buffet is very well organized. The individual portions of appetizers and desserts served in shot glasses and Chinese porcelain spoons are not only delicious but also visually appealing. The service staff is incredibly attentive, making you feel as if you have dedicated servers just for you and your guests. Throughout our lunch, our glasses were never empty, and not a single dirty plate remained on the table. Our drinks were constantly refilled, and plates were cleared as soon as we were finished. The restaurant hostesses at the entrance reminded me of the elegant and sophisticated air hostesses from the 1970s. I could go on and on about this wonderful experience, but to sum it up in one word: Café Ilang Ilang is exquisite.

Best hotel buffet in Manila. There are only two types of food here: masarap (delicious) and napakasarap (super delicious). read more Best hotel buffet in Manila. There are only two types of food here: masarap (delicious) and napakasarap (super delicious).

However, I found the lobster and a lot of the seafood to be dry and overcooked initially. I ordered lobster three times, and I noticed that with each round, the... read more However, I found the lobster and a lot of the seafood to be dry and overcooked initially. I ordered lobster three times, and I noticed that with each round, the quality improved significantly, so the dryness and overcooking in the first round might have been due to large quantities being prepped for the dinner service. As for the atmosphere, there’s not much to comment on—it’s quite large with multiple sections. One odd aspect is that some sections are quite far from the main food area, which made me unaware that there was a Japanese section tucked away in the back. On the positive side, they do offer a wide variety of options. Unfortunately, one of the servers had a bit of a sour attitude, although most of them were quite helpful. Overall, there are many choices available, which is definitely a plus.