The world – and a condo unit — on your plate

If you are in search of the best cuisines the world has to offer, look no further as Spiral has them all. And for two years already, this buffet outlet of Sofitel Philippine Plaza has never failed to enthrall a novice foodie or a gourmand to its magnificent offerings all contained in Spiral’s seven open kitchen theaters.

Just like in theaters, there are performers here; and in Spiral, the chefs perform their cooking task, sans pomp and pageantry but with pride, in the open kitchens as they delight and entice the spectators, err, diners to a scrumptious fare. Albeit no clapping is heard every time they perfectly finish grilling a salmon head or a slab of lamb or  wrapping a Peking duck roll, the happy faces that register on the diners’ mien are enough testaments that they are performing well.

In fact, in all the kitchens — including Western, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean and grill, seafood and dessert stations — gustatory satisfaction is the order of the day whether during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Only — because the place will give you a paradisiacal experience in a 2,500-square-meter setting, with the commanding view of Manila Bay and its famed sunset — you will definitely need a “master plan” to effectively maneuver your stomach’s way to Spiral.   

To help you design your gustatory discovery map, consider that diners here will delight in healthy and fresh Japanese cuisine done in traditional hot dishes and innovative appetizers served in mini Rosenthal crystals. Of course, the ubiquitous tempura, koshiage, sushi and sashimi are found in this kitchen, too.

Spices and herbs emanate from the Indian kitchen where, among others, tandoori dishes are offered straight from an authentic tandoor.

At the Chinese corner, a chef prepares your noodle soup while you pick your choice of dimsum and dumpling. Or better yet, while you queue up for your share, you eat right away the fresh duck rolls that the chef has just handed out to you, unmindful that the hoisin  sauce oozes out from your mouth as you chomp your way to your table, roll after roll. In such a delirious moment, who can blame you?

Highlights of the Mediterranean and Italian kitchens include an organic salad bar, freshly baked pizzas, pasta, and antipasto and mezze dishes.

There’s a smorgasbord of cheeses from France, Germany and Holland and I prefer to eat them with pistachio nuts and seedless grapes or anything that I put in my fruit platter.

On a bed of ice are succulent oysters, lobsters and crayfish. One can feast on them according to one’s heart’s desire. Also, a state-of-the-art grilling station churns out the freshest catch from the sea and the juiciest, mouthwatering steaks.

Have I mentioned about the dessert station? Here, it’s utopia for people with sweet tooth. Consider these: fresh fruits dipped in white and dark chocolate fountains, French tarts and pastries, fruity cheesecakes, chocolate truffles and crepes, and yes, the sugar-free desserts.  

Having mentioned all those sinfully salivating finds at Spiral, it pays to note that it also serves “cuisine vitale.” Simply put, it is the healthier menu options at the buffet restaurant.

“Cuisine vitale gives diners wider and tastier options without having to compromise the quality and flavor of the food. In fact, what makes cuisine vitale dishes different is that one gets to enjoy the rich flavors of the different menu offerings without feeling guilty about the calories and the fats,” says Swiss executive chef Christian Werdenberg.

This healthy option is present in all the kitchen theaters at Spiral. My personal favorites among cuisine vitale entrees include rolled eggplant with feta and pine nuts, Gazpacho oyster shooter and cured citrus salmon.

Is it all food and friendly staff that one can find in Spiral? Apparently not. At Spiral you can also find a condominium unit. A what? Wait. Sofitel’s PR manager Genny Marcial can better explain it.

“Diners will have a chance to win a condominium unit in the Araneta Center as Spiral celebrates its second anniversary,” Genny says, adding that all who avail of lunch or dinner buffet from March 28 to May 28 are entitled to join. Other prizes include a 32-inch Sony flat screen TV set, iPhones, iPods and Nintendo Wii units. Last year, Spiral gave away a brand new BMW car.

Whew! At Spiral, treasures and pleasures come aplenty and they are merged to achieve a total epicurean experience.

(For more information about Spiral and its promo, call 551-5555

loc 6988 or 1086)

(E-mail the author at [email protected])