Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

Generally it was a pleasant evening for our family since I just came back from a 2wks trip in Korea. And i felt like it was the right time to surprise the kids for a buffet dinner last night.

Food - great selection, this is amazing! Though there are some sections that food is not available yet so you have to come back and forth a number of times (e.g. Tempura, the staff says it is still frozen that is why there is none).

Location - everybody knows SM Megamall is a must place visit, so this is 👌. The location is easy to find.

Service/Staff - now this is the real problem. First, when I approached the staff as a walk in guest (I normally purchase vouchers from the store itself ahead of time and keep it with me, in the event the kids want a buffet meal); the staff is quite rude to tell me and the other guests that they are fully book so there is a chance we cannot be called (very pessismistic approach right? 🤔). Second, I was asking few questions to the staff and I am really sure she's very cold to the extent she's not answering properly, for some it will appear she's bored with her work. I am sure that we were not disturbing her because it was not yet their operating hours (dinner suppossed to open at 5:30pm). Third, apart from the rudeness and cold treatment, the staff was also arrogant, and I guess from the other review of this branch of the service and staff, it's true it is very poor. But we still opted to be listed down as i do not want to spoil my day. Then we went some place else and went back. After more than an hour, we were called out but the other staff is insisting for us to be seated outside which i do not want. This part, the management must talk it out to their staff that they cannot push for WHAT THEY WANT. They can give options and customers will still confirm if they are ok with that considering also the risk it will give to them. I kept my patience at par of course but I hope they do something about it. The QUALITY OF SERVICE AND STAFF are vital part of one's team. Hindi pwedeng uma attitude ka pag customer facing environment ang trabaho mo! Better find another job if you can't deal with it. I was very considerate and calm that time because i always put myself in their shoes na probably she's going thru something BUT it's still not an excuse. I myself is working and if I'm not in good shape, i take some time off or step back so as not to put my bread and butter at stake. Promise! Hindi pwedeng ganyang attitude sa ganyang trabaho, wag ka dyan na parang ikaw pa ang customer at ako pa ang aamo sayo!...

It's been 5 years since I've been here, and I bragged to everyone back in Arizona Wow. we ate at one of the best buffets ever. With that said, what happened. Where do I start arrived at 12 noon right in the middle of lunch? They must have really got slammed when first opened as almost most of the popular items were empty containers that were never refilled for a while. Went to carving station, not how I remember as raw meat laying on cutting board. You go up and ask for they cut off some and then cook. Here's a thought keep your raw meat on ice or in the refrigerator. This is not the open market. There is such a thing as a danger zone for meat left out of frigerator not being cooked to an internal temperature before making you sick unless, of course, it's meant to be ate cold. Sorry to say beef, pork, and lamb are not one of them this was an instant turn off. Five years ago would label different countries where your food was from. It seems all the food is of the Philippines orgin, and that's fine. we are in the Philippines, but then again, that's what made your food impressive. Servers back then would bus your tables as you ate, now they don't until you leave. Extra napkins on the table look like toilet paper, soda machine broken. Some of the staff was polite,and some made you feel like I'm busy. At least they turned down the extremely loud music we thought we were in a dance club was so loud. Many selections were offered, not a fan of hot plates for salad bar and warm tuna salad that should be on ice, not room temperature. Almost every meat entree I tried was not even warm. The first dish tried sweet and sour short ribs, dirty rice, and skin on potatoes, all luke warm downhill from there. Icecream bar was really good. They love celebrating birthdays, going all out, loud intercom music, and dessert. Bathrooms were not very clean, went out, and used mall bathrooms. We are glad we came here first to eat, as in September we're going to reserve 50 seats for a special occasion. At least now we won't be embarrassed by not coming here. We will continue to research other places, just not here such a letdown. Had we never ate other buffets in other venues, we might think this place serves healthy...

A buffet joint for the family that everyone can enjoy. Place is kept neat and clean. Though, in terms of following the health protocols, I would say below average. Reason being is that yes, they we're able to take consideration of placing see through glass shields on their buffet stations to promote non contamination between the food and the guests. Though quite poor decision of not strictly following guidelines for social/physically distancing between tables. Yet, they have opted to close half of the table floor area of the restaurant and push all dining guests within half of thier real estate. For me, this a very poor business decision as when we dined in. Us and other guests have been seated without any distancing or providing ample spacing in between. Or not even giving partitions if this is the way they want to go. But unfortunately, it is as if there were no pandemic consideration at all. Food though overall is satisfactory as according to thier manager, only the oysters, shabu-shabu were only ommited on thier menu. So almost 100% everyone can still enjoy thier overall items. I love their carving station as both the angus beef and lamb leg were delectable. Sashimi is nice as well. Chinese section dimsums were freshly steamed and I recommend getting the hakaw and chicken feet. Hot items were also great like the chinese stir-fried vegetable and steamed suahe (shrimp). Not so much options on the Italian section as pizza and an oil based pasta is only available. Filipino section has good kare-kare (ox tripe in peanut stew). Sinigang na Salmon (Salmon in tamarind soup) is too salty and I mean literally. I was able to have it redone though as the chefs we're accomodating and respectful. Dessert choices is typical, pastries to ice cream is available. Crepe with berries can be made ala carte too. But their yogurt ice cream is not operational so kinda sad about it. Would like to come back but if the social guidelines is not facilitated for both the staff and the guests safety, I recommend...