The home of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach during her homecoming, Novotel Manila is now the newest and trendiest hotel to stay in Cubao Quezon City. Although I didn’t intend to stay, not yet. I only dined together with my forever date, Mr. O. Right beside Araneta Coliseum, O and I had a weekday lunch buffet at Food Exchange Manila.
Situated at the ground floor of Novotel Manila, Food Exchange Manila is the main restaurant of the hotel. Like a food market, the buffet set-up features an array of fine cuisines, including Indian cuisine, prepared in an interactive culinary theatre.
Let me give you a quick tour around Food Exchange Manila, just in case you are planning to dine here anytime soon.
The Ambiance:
Novotel tried to be playful using modern and minimal interiors. Large wall artwork around the buffet restaurant brought more life to balance off its neutral colors.
One thing I noticed while holding my empty plate as I walked around, everything was spacious, both the buffet and dining area.
The Food:
At the far end of the buffet area, I found the Japanese station with cold soba and selected fresh sushi and sashimi. My excitement for Japanese food declined slowly when I saw few choices of my favorite cuisine.
The Indian cuisine station tried to be authentic, yet still adjusting some flavors to the Filipinos’ palate. Out of all stations, the Indian station was the most interesting for me.
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| Indian Mouth Freshener |
I don’t recall stumbling into any Indian Mouth Freshener or Mukhwas when I was in India. Maybe I ignored it. Haha! From its name, this Indian Mouth Freshener is needed as an after-meal snack to either give you fresh breath or act as a digestive aid.
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| Indian Station |
Also at the Indian Station, I had a taste of the famous Indian street snack called Panipuri. Those are deep-fried hollow balls of puffed bread. Fill each ball with flavored water, diced potatoes, onion, chickpeas, chili, chaat masala, chutney (mango or tamarind), and dunk straight to your mouth to munch.
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| Shrimp Tandoori |
After my long attention at the Indian station, I moved to the Cheese & Cold Cuts Station right beside it. Quite unnoticeable, the cheese and cold cuts are stored inside the glass fridge.
Freshly-made Pizza cooked in a brick oven, another must-try I loved in Food Exchange Manila.
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| Pork in Barbecue Sauce |
Walked towards the center, I found some hot savory food in red skillet pot like this Pork in Barbecue Sauce.
Care about salt? Food Exchange Manila has loooots of them! Add a dash or a pinch of salt to your meal, in different flavors according to your preference.
Seafood choices were limited on weekday lunch. Fresh mussels and cocktail shrimps on ice were the only ones available during one weekday lunch I went. Even the carving station wasn’t too attractive. I was told that Sunday brunch is the best time to go if you want to experience the best of Food Exchange Manila.
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| Churros |
Having their very own churros machine, Food Exchange Manila is so proud of their hot and fresh Churros. All glory to the Churros! I couldn’t count how much O and I nibbled.
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| Halo-Halo |
Now for the desserts. The crown goes to Filipino desserts like the DIY Halo-Halo on cocnonut shells.
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| Puto Bumbong & Bibingka |
On Sundays, your little ones will be treated like chefs with culinary activities for them while you dine and indulge in Food Exchange Manila’s buffet spread. Sunday brunch is at Php1,588/person (net). It includes free flow cocktail selections. If your child is 12 yrs. old and below, then he/she eats for free.
Buffet Rates:
Php888 – Breakfast
Php1088 – Lunch (Mon-Sat except Public Holidays)
Php1588 -Lunch (Sunday including Public Holidays)
Php1188 – Dinner (Mon-Thurs, Sun except eve of Public Holidays)
Php1588 – Dinner (Fri-Sat including eve of Public Holidays)
What do you think of Food Exchange Manila in Novotel?
Share with me your thoughts! 🙂
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Pray, Eat and Love.
Cheers,
The Food Scout
Location: General Aguinaldo Ave., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Operating Hours: 6:00AM-10:00AM / 11:30AM-2:00PM / 6:00PM-10:00PM
Contact: (+632) 246-9069 (loc. 746)
Budget: PHP1000++
Rate:
| Food | 8/10 |
| Ambiance | 8/10 |
| Service | 8/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 |
| Overall | 8/10 |
I love the ambience of the place but it’s seriously overpriced. There are other better buffet restaurants with more food options that are priced lower.
The overall experience eating here for breakfast was disappointing. While the staff is friendly and trying, they are not being trained correctly and what you have serving are students working for free to fulfill an “On The Job Requirement”. It’s not the students fault, but the hotel that places profit before service. When you see the buffet, it’s looks large and spread out only to find that it’s mainly a lot of the same items “repackaged” to look different. Also the “OJT” attempt to provide service involved mainly removing your place, sometimes before you are ready (although they will ask you several times until they get it right). Also items are not replenished properly. I was there during a not so busy time so heaven help you if the hotel is busy and getting something like you wanted. I was happy to see they offered eggs benedict, but look at the slop they served. On top of that the egg were cold and sauce didn’t taste correct. Oh well, lesson learned and never again.
Hi How much for the kids??