Do you have any comments to share on your buffet experiences?

Please share with the FT DiningBuzz gang as we praise the surprisingly good ones and warn off each other from declining or inconsistent ones.

Who knows, you might even be able to share info on comped buffets or exceptional experiences - it occasionally happens!

I'll start with one in Sydney (some fellow residents have possibly tried this one too):
Stamford Grand, Sydney (North Ryde)

Pros:
The food was well-presented and fresh, with a fairly good variety of seafood;
Excellent, well-trained, attentive but not pushy service where nothing is a problem. (an exception here ^)
Not crowded, not a huge buffet and restaurant but reasonable ambience - something highly unusual for a buffet ;
Good selection of wines to complement the seafood;
A wine buffet (!) for those wanting to try around eight Australian wine varieties, from at least two wineries.
Good value with a special offer (easy to find it, or PM me);
Piano bar! Who'd expect this? A la carte and buffet restaurants faced onto this lobby/piano area. ^

Cons:
Non-seafood selection not very large on seafood nights (but that's expected);
Indian selection not so great (or a very good match with the seafood);
Chocolate dessert fountain, for those who can't eat Aussie chocolate;
20 mins north of city - would need a car until train line opens late 2008.

Overall, this was a surprisingly great buffet, in an okay location/hotel, much better than restaurant/club options and better than some city options, too.

For FTers who are willing to travel, I'd highly recommend this place - and am happy to try it again if further reviews are requested.