Consolidated "Buffets - Questions, suggestions, stories" thread
#61




Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
Throughout the years, been to many buffets in Las Vegas. A recent dinner buffet at the Wynn's was spectacular! I am a small eater. Given that, I stuffed myself with Alaskan king crab legs. That's was all I ate even though the entire spread of food was numerous and looked fantastic. The place was clean, services good! A rather good experience.
#63
In memoriam




Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,267
The Sunday Brunch Buffet at Town at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore was quite something. The Japanese food (tempura, noodles, sushi) was pretty good for a buffet and the choice of other foods was staggering.
The Sunday Brunch at the Four Seasons Bangkok was also spectacular as it pools the cuisines of all of its restaurants and serves it almost hawker style with stations in the courtyard.
One of my most favourite buffets was the Sunday Brunch at Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria before it closed after 9/11. The Brunch is back and we hope to sample it in December when we will be in NYC.
I will be in Vegas, for the first time, in November and I can report back on any buffets we go to there.
The Sunday Brunch at the Four Seasons Bangkok was also spectacular as it pools the cuisines of all of its restaurants and serves it almost hawker style with stations in the courtyard.
One of my most favourite buffets was the Sunday Brunch at Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria before it closed after 9/11. The Brunch is back and we hope to sample it in December when we will be in NYC.
I will be in Vegas, for the first time, in November and I can report back on any buffets we go to there.
#64
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Center, NYC
At $80, the most expensive Sunday Brunch I've experienced (twice), but also my gold standard ever since. The view can not be compared as it's the "Top of the Rock." The food consists of plenty of seafood (including sushi, huge shrimp, crab legs and a couple different types of oysters), meats of various sorts, prepared dishes, you name it. Outstanding deserts as well. They also serve their signature drink of sparkling Italian wine mixed with pear nectar. Yum! Yeah, you'll break the budget - and your belt - but it's soooo worth it.
#65
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta GM, US Silver, Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 412
I've had the Seafood Buffet at The Stamford in Brisbane. Its OK, I found it to be a bit boring though. However the seafood itself was a top rate quality.
The best buffet I've ever done was the Sunday Breakfast Buffet at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The smoked salmon was incredible.
A close second is the weekend dessert buffet at the Four Seasons in Boston.
The best buffet I've ever done was the Sunday Breakfast Buffet at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong. The smoked salmon was incredible.
A close second is the weekend dessert buffet at the Four Seasons in Boston.
#66
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,047
The most memorable Buffet ever, was at a (normally) great Italian restaurant in Coconut Grove Miami, several years ago. The antipasto was so fresh, the desserts to die for, and the main courses included my favorite; Osso Bucco ~ it was so overcooked that the meat had totally detached from the os ~ leaving the nude abandoned shanks. Fellow diners didn't gettit~ What can I tell you except I was very pregnat at the time; the Risotto was quite good so I was in heaven and feasted on at least 4 of these beauties!
#67
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Beacon Falls, CT, USA
Posts: 1,609
Crazy Buffet. http://www.gocrazybuffet.com/
Yes, it sounds like a cheap chinese buffet dive. However, this is a bit more upscale. (and the prices reflect that).
There are several. I know of one each in Orlando, West Palm Beach and Tampa. There may be others.
There is all you can eat sushi AND sashimi (50 varieties), with several (8?) sushi chefs constantly renewing the supply from behind the table. we're not talking huge rice balls with a little bit of fish, either, but Huge rolls and plenty of fish. The pictures on the website are accurate.
Add a mongolian BBQ, usually Peking duck, too.
Add 5-6 tables of decent to good Chinese food
Add a seafood table with crab legs, shrimp, oysters, mussels, etc.
Don't forget the soup table, at least three or more available
Add a salad table, including decent Kim-chi.
Add two dessert tables. The one in Orlando has a chocolate fountain. There are cakes, pies, and much more than the usual sad dry pastries at most chinese buffets. I remember rich strawberry cheesecake, chocolate torte, etc.
Oh, and an ice cream table (lots of tables!)
Granted, lunch was something like $17 pp, and dinner closer to $25, but that isn't out of line for a good dinner.
It's definitely worth a try!
Yes, it sounds like a cheap chinese buffet dive. However, this is a bit more upscale. (and the prices reflect that).
There are several. I know of one each in Orlando, West Palm Beach and Tampa. There may be others.
There is all you can eat sushi AND sashimi (50 varieties), with several (8?) sushi chefs constantly renewing the supply from behind the table. we're not talking huge rice balls with a little bit of fish, either, but Huge rolls and plenty of fish. The pictures on the website are accurate.
Add a mongolian BBQ, usually Peking duck, too.
Add 5-6 tables of decent to good Chinese food
Add a seafood table with crab legs, shrimp, oysters, mussels, etc.
Don't forget the soup table, at least three or more available
Add a salad table, including decent Kim-chi.
Add two dessert tables. The one in Orlando has a chocolate fountain. There are cakes, pies, and much more than the usual sad dry pastries at most chinese buffets. I remember rich strawberry cheesecake, chocolate torte, etc.
Oh, and an ice cream table (lots of tables!)
Granted, lunch was something like $17 pp, and dinner closer to $25, but that isn't out of line for a good dinner.
It's definitely worth a try!
#68
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,233
I just stayed one night at the splendid Hotel Ambassade in Wagerem, Belgium (halfway between Gent and Lille). Have to say the breakfast buffet was the best ever, locally sourced dishes like Belgian ham, liver pate, marinated fish from the coast and self-made chutneys etc. Add eggs made upon request, several teas, tasty coffee, a good choice of muesli and yoghurts and and...
The hotel patron, Mrs.Vandekerckhove, is an architect by profession and has designed a truly balanced interior with a rich choice of arts including some own works.
HP: http://www.hotel-ambassade.be
The hotel patron, Mrs.Vandekerckhove, is an architect by profession and has designed a truly balanced interior with a rich choice of arts including some own works.
HP: http://www.hotel-ambassade.be
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 31,315
I'm fond of chinese buffets, it done even moderately well. Unfortunately, I find personal moderation difficult and have had to swear them off or balloon up to a new all-time high.
Possible the most offensive chain I've been to in the US is Duff's. We did it occasionally when the kids were toddlers because almost any behavior or dress is tolerated as long as you pay. It was cheap and the kids could make a noisy mess that we didn't have to clean up or apologize for.
Our first time, we were unsure how to proceed, so we followed a crowd from the next table. We took plates and stood behind them at a massive industrial lazy susan that was half in the kitchen (being filled) and half in the dining room (being emptied). We waited forever and when they finally left to sit down over their mounded plates, Mrs BamaVol looked at the lazy susan and described it as a trough. We paid, but neither of us could eat that day.
There are others; Old Country Buffet, Mr Gattis, Cici's, Ryan's - fine for kids but the focus is on quantity not quality and the cleanliness never appears to be what it should be.
Possible the most offensive chain I've been to in the US is Duff's. We did it occasionally when the kids were toddlers because almost any behavior or dress is tolerated as long as you pay. It was cheap and the kids could make a noisy mess that we didn't have to clean up or apologize for.
Our first time, we were unsure how to proceed, so we followed a crowd from the next table. We took plates and stood behind them at a massive industrial lazy susan that was half in the kitchen (being filled) and half in the dining room (being emptied). We waited forever and when they finally left to sit down over their mounded plates, Mrs BamaVol looked at the lazy susan and described it as a trough. We paid, but neither of us could eat that day.
There are others; Old Country Buffet, Mr Gattis, Cici's, Ryan's - fine for kids but the focus is on quantity not quality and the cleanliness never appears to be what it should be.
#72
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Harrah's Hotel Casino in South Lake Tahoe two weeks ago at $10.99 (lunch was $11.99, and dinner $18.99).
For breakfast they have an omelette station, pancakes, thick french toast, an assortment of fresh fruit (pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries), yogurt, bacon/sausage, pastries, sliced potatoes, and more items than one could possibly eat at one sitting. They did have their desserts out, which Harrah's has always done well in the 42 years I've been going up there, and I had chocolate macadamia nut pie which was very good. You also get unlimited beverages (I had milk and OJ).
Should mention this is on the 18th floor of the casino/hotel with an outstanding view of Lake Tahoe. I always try to have one meal there, as it is a family tradition.
For breakfast they have an omelette station, pancakes, thick french toast, an assortment of fresh fruit (pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries), yogurt, bacon/sausage, pastries, sliced potatoes, and more items than one could possibly eat at one sitting. They did have their desserts out, which Harrah's has always done well in the 42 years I've been going up there, and I had chocolate macadamia nut pie which was very good. You also get unlimited beverages (I had milk and OJ).
Should mention this is on the 18th floor of the casino/hotel with an outstanding view of Lake Tahoe. I always try to have one meal there, as it is a family tradition.
#73




Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Philly
Programs: AA : GOLD
Posts: 119
I would stay away from the Luxor buffet, everything was mediocre at best.
#74
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 3,944
1. Best buffet ever--Captain George's Seafood Buffet, various locations, including Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. Be sure not to equate with other, similar-sounding names that cost less and seemed to have far less choice. I was there years ago and have never forgotten being able to bring back to the table an entire platter of Oysters Rockefeller (not solely for me, of course
).
2. Best European-style breakfast buffet--at the Rome Hilton Cavalieri. As to your American breakfast buffets in general, Hot Springs (Ark) Embassy Suites knows how to cook grits and biscuits, and does a mean-looking pancake as well, though willpower won out on those, so I can't comment on whether they tasted as good as they looked.
3. Just about any buffet in Las Vegas has merit. The Spice Market Buffet at what is now Planet Hollywood, used to be the Aladdin, is fun, though better the first time than the second. Best was years ago at one that has since been torn down--the Dunes--across from Caesar's, IIFC--various tables of American-style, German-style, Italian-style, etc., foods, plus pour-your-own wines. A person could become very much spoiled after the Dunes buffet. (Can't say I like the Bellagio very much. It seemed to be "correct" food but not food that actually had a great deal of taste.)
4. Beau Rivage in Mississippi (I've posted re this before). Southern food as only the best of cooks/chefs could do, not to mention whole roasted pig at the breakfast buffet, baklava, etc., etc., etc. And biscuits that were the lightest I've ever had.
5. I've liked Ryan's, actually, FWIW. They seem to have deteriorated in recent years, however, and I certainly wouldn't put them in the same category as any of the others, but occasionally one has to have "ordinary" good buffets. I do wish they'd serve something beyond mostly chicken in the meat department, but if you hit them on a good day when they have catfish or whatever, you could do fairly well. I've usually been there during lunch so probably shouldn't have expected too much.
). 2. Best European-style breakfast buffet--at the Rome Hilton Cavalieri. As to your American breakfast buffets in general, Hot Springs (Ark) Embassy Suites knows how to cook grits and biscuits, and does a mean-looking pancake as well, though willpower won out on those, so I can't comment on whether they tasted as good as they looked.
3. Just about any buffet in Las Vegas has merit. The Spice Market Buffet at what is now Planet Hollywood, used to be the Aladdin, is fun, though better the first time than the second. Best was years ago at one that has since been torn down--the Dunes--across from Caesar's, IIFC--various tables of American-style, German-style, Italian-style, etc., foods, plus pour-your-own wines. A person could become very much spoiled after the Dunes buffet. (Can't say I like the Bellagio very much. It seemed to be "correct" food but not food that actually had a great deal of taste.)
4. Beau Rivage in Mississippi (I've posted re this before). Southern food as only the best of cooks/chefs could do, not to mention whole roasted pig at the breakfast buffet, baklava, etc., etc., etc. And biscuits that were the lightest I've ever had.
5. I've liked Ryan's, actually, FWIW. They seem to have deteriorated in recent years, however, and I certainly wouldn't put them in the same category as any of the others, but occasionally one has to have "ordinary" good buffets. I do wish they'd serve something beyond mostly chicken in the meat department, but if you hit them on a good day when they have catfish or whatever, you could do fairly well. I've usually been there during lunch so probably shouldn't have expected too much.
Last edited by SkeptiCallie; Sep 6, 2007 at 5:16 pm
#75


Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,497
Throughout the years, been to many buffets in Las Vegas. A recent dinner buffet at the Wynn's was spectacular! I am a small eater. Given that, I stuffed myself with Alaskan king crab legs. That's was all I ate even though the entire spread of food was numerous and looked fantastic. The place was clean, services good! A rather good experience.
Completely agree. I normally do not like buffets but this was AMAZING. SO amazing that my DH waited on line for 1 hour while I gambled. It was his idea to go to the Wynn buffet, as he went once before on a business trip and if HE is willing to satnd on line for an hour I knew it had to ge good. It was beyond good.
Actually H just landed in LAS a couple of hours ago for another meeting and he will be going again to the Wynn buffet

