Buffet 101 — Restaurant in Makati

Stay Away! Health Danger!

January 13, 2018, 7 p.m.: While enjoying dinner with three companions, at my previously favorite buffet restaurant in Makati, I was shocked to see some customers were holding an infant, and fussing around one of the waiters’ serving stations, just one table distant from where we were sitting. This is the place where your supposedly-clean place mat, napkins, and silverware are stored before being placed on the table.

One of those customers was pulling items from what looked like a diaper bag, while two others were moving things around on that counter, and one was holding the infant. No matter what was going on, customers should not be near the serving station. I politely called one waitress to my table and asked: “What is going on there?”. She just looked in that direction and walked away in the opposite direction. Then, I motioned to one of the hostesses, who had seated us earlier, and asked her what was going on. She went to the serving station, and looked at what was actually going on. Again a blank stare, in my direction, as she walked away!

By this time, I realized what was going on. The customers were changing the baby’s diaper in the middle of the restaurant, on the serving station! A supervisor came into a nearby part of the dining room, and I called him over, and again asked: “What is going on there?” He went over to have a look, and he too did not come back to me to answer my question. Not one of the three restaurant employees told the customers to stop doing that and to go to the toilet to change the baby!

I told my companions to: “Get up, and get out now!”, and rushed them, in a different direction, avoiding the unsanitary condition, to the exit of the restaurant. One of my companions was at the buffet getting more food, so I shouted across the room for him to put down the plate, and come with us.

By the time we got to the reception desk at the entrance, I was shaking. Gastrointestinal diseases are common in the Philippines, and despite training, and government health regulations, Buffet 101 was completely ignoring these disease-prevention procedures. At the front desk, I calmly, but strongly told the people employed there what happened in the dining room, and that I would not be paying for the meal that they caused me to end before my group was finished. No one seemed at all interested, and no one offered even a false apology.

My trip advice: Take your business and good...

It’s hard to contact the number provided for reservations. We reserved through their Facebook page to an automated system. Unfortunately, they don’t honor reservations through that platform. As a result, we ended up on the waitlist.

We waited for two hours. Many groups got ahead of us because we were a party of six, and most of the available seats were arranged in sets of 2’s or 4’s. The staff should have offered us the option to be seated separately instead of continuously skipping our turn.

Since we started eating late, many of the food trays were already empty. Although refills were not very fast, the staff kept replenishing the food even during the later part of the buffet scheduled.

The food tasted good overall, though nothing stood out. The selection was somewhat limited compared to similar establishments. While they offered the usual Japanese, Chinese, and meat roasts, I found it odd that there was no Filipino representation in the main dishes. One unique feature I appreciated was the tea section, where guests could create their own blends using tea bags and dried flowers.

The place is quite spacious, and the food stations are positioned on one side, making it easy to browse without disturbing people seated at their tables. However, the air conditioning was not working properly when we visited, making the place quite hot despite several industrial fans placed around the area.

Overall, it was a good experience barring the long wait time. I would recommend this place if you’re celebrating a birthday with family or friends, as their birthday promo is 3+1 instead of the...

I'm giving them three stars (I could've given 4 but, no). They serve terrific food with a wide variety. Spacious and very inviting atmosphere. Made us come back for more. The only thing that put me off was some of their staff who were unfriendly and unaccommodating. We were four and we went to Buffet 101 Glorietta yesterday, 09 July 2022. We came just when lunch time was about to end (about 2:45PM). Realizing we came on the wrong timing, we decided to just come again at dinner so I asked for us to be reserved slots which one personnel took note of. My name and number were listed down on a slip of paper. Then it was almost 5PM and we went there again to be ready. I made sure my name was checked on their walk-in list but to my surprise, it wasn't there! The lady on the reception even asked me if I was really sure that I reserved for dinner that day. I told her that we even came there almost 3PM to have my name listed and she still didn't believe me and my name was listed at 8th on the queue. That didn't sit with me well. Then I found the lady who listed down my name and then they were even assuring me that we won't lose our slot no matter what.

Fine. We were able to sit down and we came just right on time for dinner. They just have to train their personnel to be friendly, assuring and not be neglectful. I hope management finds my review and act on...