Spectrum: A Must-Try Buffet at Fairmont Makati

While I've already been to quite a number of hotel buffets in the metro, I can't deny that I still get really excited, most especially if they're as good and as impressive as one I've recently been to. And speaking of which, I'm thrilled to share with you my latest eat-all-you-can adventure at Spectrum inside the luxurious Fairmont Hotel along Raffles Drive.
Fairmont Hotel's Spectrum Buffet

Located right smack in the bustling city of Makati, Spectrum is the newest all-day dining and eat-all-you-can hotel buffet destination at the lobby level of the Fairmont portion of twin hotels Raffles and Fairmont Makati. As expected from a classy hotel restaurant, Spectrum boasts of a sophisticated and modern yet cozy dining space with earthy colors, bewitching drop lights, big glass windows, golden room dividers and comfy cushioned seats -- the perfect place for a laid-back afternoon or night of good food.

Display of Wines at Spectrum Fairmont Hotel
Spectrum at Fairmont Hotel

And while Spectrum's dining area is quite spacious, there aren't really a whole lot of tables to ensure guests will have their much-needed dining privacy. That's good news for me too so not a lot of diners have to see me hoarding food on our table. Tee-hee!

Green Apple-Flavored Water Table Piece at Spectrum

Before we start the virtual tour inside Spectrum, let me share with you that this eat-all-you-can destination doesn't offer just plain water. Available during lunch is a unique feat at Spectrum -- flavored water. For our visit, we were offered some green apple-flavored water which was the perfect light and refreshing drink for a hot summer day. I've heard there are also other flavors like strawberry, cucumber-kiwi and even rose!

The Buffet Spread

I got to check Spectrum's buffet offerings in one ago, and I'm pretty sure you will too. As Chef Gregory Georges whom we met while taking photos of the food, had shared, Spectrum doesn't really specialize in certain dishes but they give utter importance to freshness and quality. So in short, here in Spectrum it's not really the quantity that matters but the quality. And without further ado, here are the drool-worthy foods I spotted.

Cold Cuts and Cheeses Salad Bar
Cold Cuts and Cheese Station and Salad Bar
Sushi Bar
Assorted Sashimi and Sushi
Assorted Seafood
Assorted Seafood
Bread Station
Bread Station
Mongolian Station
Mongolian Station
Soups and Chinese Station
Some soups and noodles from the Chinese Station
Chinese Station - Dimsum
Assorted Dimsum at the Chinese Station

For main entrées, there weren't a whole lot of items but they all looked really good. They were also a mix of Filipino, Japanese, Korean, American, Spanish and even Mediterranean cuisine which give diners good diversity when it comes to flavors.

Entrees - Chicken Inasal and Beef Teriyaki
Chicken Inasal and Beef Teriyaki
Entrees - Tortang Talong and Steamed Mussels in Ginger Broth
Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelette) and Steamed Mussels in Ginger Broth
Entrees - Kimchi Bokumbap and Pork Binagoongan
Kimchi Bokumbap (Korean-Style Fried Rice) and Pork Binagoongan
Entrees - Gambas al Ajilo and Brocolli Gratin
Gambas al Ajilo and Brocolli Gratin
Entrees - Orange Maple-Glazed Pork
Orange Maple-Glazed Pork
Entrees - Chicken Sautee with Onion and Basil and Grilled Zucchini
Chicken Sautée with Onion & Basil and Grilled Zucchini
Entrees - Chicken Curry and Mixed Vegetable Couscous
Chicken Curry and Mixed Vegetable Couscous

Next, let's go to one of my most favorite sections in Spectrum.

Carving Station at Spectrum Carving - Roast Beef and Salmon Quiche
Salmon Quiche and Roast Beef at the Carving Station
Pasta Station at Spectrum
Pasta Station
Pizza Station at Spectrum Tandoori Station at Spectrum
Pizza Station and Tandoori Station
Babaganoush Hummus
Babaganoush and Hummus

As for desserts, Spectrum definitely has aplenty. They even have a Honey Station for all you fellow crazy honey lovers! Read: Do NOT ever miss this section.

Honey Station
Spectrum's Honey Station with live buzzing bees
Dessert Station - Cakes, Mini Cakes and Tarts
Mousse, Cakes, Mini Cakes, Tarts and More!
Dessert Station - Mangoes
Special Mango Station at the Desserts Section
Dessert Station - Suman and Kutsinta Dessert - Crepe Station
Local Favorites Suman & Kutsinta and the Crepe Station
Spectrum's New Zealand Ice Cream
Spectrum's New Zealand Ice Cream

The offerings at Spectrum may not be as many as those from other major hotel buffets. However, I actually like it this way since guests can be assured that every item is freshly-prepared. It's also more realistic to attempt trying everything from the buffet spread.

What We Got

Now, let me share with you the servings we had. Stacy and I decided we'd be sharing each plate so we'll be able to try more kinds of food. *wink*

Salmon and Tako Sashimi
✓ Salmon Sashimi, and ✓ Tako Sashimi
We started off with these beautiful, huge, thick slices of salmon sashimi with some pieces of tako sashimi (octopus). Even if I always eat these Japanese favorites, I have to admit that biting through every piece was such a joy. With or without dipping them into the wasabi-soy sauce, we surely took pleasure in their fresh, subtle sweetness. Yum!

Spicy Tuna Maki, Spicy Salmon Maki, Crunchy Salmon Skin Maki, Salmon Belly Maki, Salmon California Roll and Maki Special of the Day
✓ Spicy Tuna Maki, Spicy Salmon Maki, ✓ Crunchy Salmon Skin Maki, ✓ Salmon Belly Maki, Salmon California Roll, and ✓ Maki Special of the Day
After the sashimi, of course it follows that we'll have some maki rolls. We got to try a few kinds and I can say with conviction that every flavor, every piece we had was awesome. They were at par, or even better, than most sushi rolls I've had. I especially love the Spicy Tuna Maki as it's really spicy and not just pretending to be one. The Crunchy Salmon Skin Maki was really enjoyable too, as well as the juicy Salmon Belly Maki. However, among all the maki items, our overall favorite was the unique Maki Special of the Day which has an interesting fusion of flavors and even had figs!

Babaganoush, Hummus and Pita
Pita with Babaganoush and Hummus
Assorted Cheese, Nuts, Dried Fruits and Cold Cuts
Assorted Cheeses: Brie, Blue Cheese, Blue Pepato, Truffle Gouda, Port Salut and Saint Nectaire
Assorted Cold Cuts: Salami, Air-Dried Beef and Prosciutto
To further whet the appetite, we got some Mediterranean dips with pita bread. We also didn't dare miss the assorted cheeses and cold cuts with dried fruits and nuts, which will definitely satisfy a hard-core cheese lover's desire as the servings are generous. We specifically instructed to only have a teeny-tiny bit for every cheese variant, but just look at the portion sizes! These are definitely not teeny-tiny. Now, it got me thinking just how big will the slices be if we were to ask for big servings.

Fresh Scallop, Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce and Smoked Salmon
Fresh Scallops, Shrimps with Cocktail Sauce, and ✓ Smoked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
Being seafood lovers, we also tried some items at the cold seafood section. We had some fresh scallops, shrimps and smoked salmon. Everything we got were good, but it was the smoked salmon with creamy dill sauce that won me over. We also wished there were fresh oysters in the lot, but I'm not so sure if they have oysters for dinner service. Nevertheless though, all the seafood were fresh and very enjoyable.

Braised Suckling Pig and Peking Duck with Hoisin Sauce
✓ Braised Suckling Pig, and ✓ Peking Duck with Hoisin Sauce
For some Chinese cold cuts, we had these great items. The perfectly-cooked Braised Suckling Pig had a beautiful crispiness that crackles with every bite. Its meat was also very tender and juicy. The Pecking Duck on the other hand, was so moist and so succulent that you can enjoy it even without the sauce. Tip: You can ask the chef to make you Peking Duck Sushi. We didn't get to try it, but we'll do for sure next time.

Remember the brick oven at the pizza station? It's where pizzas at Spectrum are freshly cooked. You can choose to have one flavor of a whole pizza, or have multiple flavors in one pizza. They even have personal sizes like what we got!

Seafood Carbonara Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Four Cheese Pizza, Margharita Pizza
✓ Seafood Carbonara Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, ✓ Four Cheese Pizza, and ✓ Margharita Pizza
Salmon and Capers Pizza, Parmaham and Capsicum Pizza, Anchovies and Olives Pizza, and Bacon and Parmesan Pizza
✓ Salmon & Capers Pizza, ✓ Parmaham & Capsicum Pizza, ✓ Anchovies & Olives Pizza,
and Bacon & Parmesan Pizza
And aside from the really neat customization feat, the pizza flavors are all really good! My most favorite was the Seafood Carbonara Pizza which was coincidentally the pizza flavor of that day. I also really liked their Four Cheese Pizza which was definitely cheesy and so enjoyable. And of course, the Margharita Pizza, Salmon & Capers Pizza, Parmaham & Capsicum Pizza, and Anchovies & Olives Pizza deserve a mention too. Oh, and aside from the fact that they don't scrimp on the pizza toppings, the pizza dough itself was enjoyable too - soft, chewy and slightly crispy, just the way I like it.

Spaghetti with Brocolli, Tomatoes and Almonds
✓ Spaghetti with Brocolli, Tomatoes and Almonds
It's the beau who's crazy for pasta even in hotel buffets, but since we're curious, we still decided to try one of the Pasta of the Day offerings, the Spaghetti with Brocolli, Tomatoes and Almonds (the other item was Penne with Salmon Teriyaki Sauce). This oil-based, vegan pasta option reminded me of Corner Tree Cafe's vegan pasta for its light, aromatic and nutty notes. The veggies and almonds also added not just beautiful bright colors, but also an enjoyable crunchy texture to the al dente-cooked spaghetti.

Salmon Quiche and Roast Beef
Salmon Quiche and ✓ Roast Beef
From the carving station, we got a slice of the moist, chunky, savory and simply flavorful Salmon Quiche. And of course, how can we not get some Roast Beef while we're at it? We had our beef cooked further to medium doneness. Served with some mushroom sauce, we thoroughly enjoyed this moist, succulent and scrumptious serving.

Main Course of Gambas Al Ajillo, Mixed Vegetable Couscous, Orange Maple-Glazed Pork, Kimchi Bokumbap and Asparagus Gratin
✓ Gambas Al Ajillo, Mixed Vegetable Couscous, ✓ Orange Maple-Glazed Pork, ✓ Kimchi Bokumbap, and Asparagus Gratin
As much as we want to try all the main entrées, it was just impossible as we were already feeling almost full. (And we had still had to save space for desserts!) However, we actually enjoyed these items we got. My personal favorites were the Orange Maple-Glazed Pork, Kimchi Bokumbap, and Gambas Al Ajillo in that order.

Although we already ate a lot, we strategically paced ourselves to get to the most exciting part -- desserts. While Spectrum is praised for having a fresh and high quality selection of food, I've heard and read that their desserts section is one of the most raved.

Freshly-Made Crepe with Banana, Mangoes and Mixed Berries topped with White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream, Pistachios and Almonds
✓ Freshly-Made Crepe with Banana, Mangoes and Mixed Berries topped with White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream, Pistachios and Almonds
The first dessert we had was this freshly-made crepe with tons of fruit and nut toppings, as well as a scoop of yummy White Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream. You can either let the chef recommend you a flavor combo, or follow your palate's desire. But whatever combination of toppings you go for, I'm sure you'll love the whole ensemble as much as we loved ours. The crepe itself is light, soft and creamy yet slightly fluffy. It's as good as crepes from my favorite crepe destinations, Crepes & Cream and Cafe Breton.

Mango Sago with Pandan Ice Coffee Taho, Black Sesame Pudding, Mango Cheesecake and Chocolate Cheesecake
✓ Mango Sago with Pandan Ice, ✓ Coffee Taho, Black Sesame Pudding,
Mango Cheesecake, and ✓ Chocolate Cheesecake
We also tried some interesting desserts with a twist, just like the local favorite Mango Sago with not just plain crushed ice but pandan ice! There was also my favorite Pinoy breakfast item but with a shot of caffeine, the Coffee Taho. For black sesame lovers, the Black Sesame Pudding is a nice and very unconventional dessert with its unsweetened roasted sesame seeds topped with a berry syrup. And then there are also cheesecakes available in different flavors such as mango and chocolate.

Mascarpone with Pistachio and Honey
✓ Mascarpone with Pistachio and Honey
From the honey station, we tried the Mascarpone with Pistachio and Honey which isn't exactly just a dessert item. I'm a sucker for honey, and having it fresh with my other favorites -- mascarpone and pistachio, sent me straight to a foodgasm. The blend of subtle flavors and soft, silky textures with bits of crunch here and there was enough to mark this as one of my all-time favorite food items ever! (No exaggeration here.)

Strawberry Mouse Cake and Tiramisu Chocolate Calamansi Mousse and Mango Crumble
✓ Strawberry Mouse Cake, Tiramisu, ✓ Chocolate Calamansi Mousse, and Mango Crumble
Cake lovers like me are lucky since Spectrum has tons of great cake offerings. One of my favorites during our visit was the Strawberry Mouse Cake which had just the right blend of sweetness and tang, and the perfect silky mousse cake texture. Another favorite is the Chocolate Calamansi Mousse which is one of the best mousse cakes I've ever tasted! It had alternating layers of dark chocolate ganache, dark chocolate mouse, calamansi chiffon, calamansi jelly, and calamansi mousse. Seriously, you MUST try this when you visit Spectrum! We also had some Tiramisu and Mango Crumble, but while they were good too, they were somehow overshadowed by the excellent mousse cakes.

Mango Ginger No'jito P300 and Grapefruit Lemonade P300
Mango Ginger No'jito (P300) and Grapefruit Lemonade (P300)
For drinks, one can opt to enjoy the complimentary flavored water, or the coffee and tea that comes with the buffet, or order some refreshing blends like a Mango Ginger No'jito which I oh-so-love, or a Grapefruit Lemonade which is a sharp, citrus-y drink perfect for summer. They also have other fresh juices, cocktails and a selection of wines.

THE VERDICT

Spectrum has sure proved that it's not all about quantity. With the freshness and high-quality food items they offer, they sure left not just my stomach but also my palate in pure bliss. Almost every dish we had was rave-worthy. And with courteous, friendly and prompt service, along with the classy yet homey ambiance, dining here for breakfast, lunch or dinner will surely be an experience worth remembering. In fact, after this trip, Spectrum has already made my favorite hotel restaurants' list, and I highly recommend everyone to give Spectrum at Fairmont Makati a visit soon!

Taste - 5/5
Ambiance - 4.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4.5/5

Buffet Rates:
Breakfast (6AM to 10AM Weekdays, to 11AM Weekends & Holidays) - P1,450 net
Lunch (11:30AM to 2:30PM Daily) - P1,675 net
Dinner (6PM to 10PM Sunday to Thursday) - P1,995 net
Dinner (6PM to 10PM Friday & Saturday) - P2,285 net
Sunday Brunch (12PM to 3PM Sundays) - P2,777 net
Sunday Champagne Brunch (12PM to 3PM Sundays) - P3,888 net


Spectrum, Fairmont Makati
Lobby Level Fairmont Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave.
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 555-9888 ext. 6840
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

58 comments:

  1. I love Spectrum, especially the desserts. :) I'd love to visit this again soon. :)

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    1. Yup, their desserts are excellent nga! :D Actually, I'm already planning to go back XD

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  2. Ang mahal naman pala! :3 Dapat talaga masarap jan!

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    1. Haha.. Masarap naman talaga! And yup, medyo masakit sa budget, pero worth it talaga especially for special occasions :)

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  3. Konti lang ang difference ng lunch & dinner. Would love to try this soon. thanks!

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  4. Another buffet place for us to try! Sana pala sayo ko nag ask nung Sunday, we were constantly battling on where to eat na bago =))) Too bad ang layo ng Makati from where we live :(

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  5. wow the sushi buffet looks yum oh my this buffet looks really good might have to try it hmmmm thanks for sharing!

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  6. Sakit naman sa bulsa nyan. Hehehe. I haven't seen eat-all-you-can buffet like that. Fave ko pag maraming sea foods ang sineserve. The food looks delicious and the place is elegant. Wala yata ganyan dito Cebu, if meron, masakit rin sa bulsa :D

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  7. Their spread looks really good! :) I will check it out soon!

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  8. I will starve myself para masulit ko ang price ng buffet na 'to. Haha! I love how vast their menu is. :)

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    1. Haha.. Sumasastrategy sis ah! :) Anyway, I've read somewhere before na better daw to have a light snack before eating in a buffet para iwas empacho.

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  9. Despite its hefty price tag I'd still give Spectrum a try. The food variants will keep one coming back for more.

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  10. What a sumptuous buffet spread! Ang mahal lang nga. I wonder if they have a membership card that offers 50% off or Buy 1 Take 1.

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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    1. Hmm.. Now you got me wondering! :) I'll have to check if they offer membership card with discount on Spectrum. And yes, sana nga in the future they'll be offering buy 1 take 1 :D

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  11. Im convinced! Im convinced! I will save then go here! =)

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    1. Go sis! :D I'll be waiting for your post on Spectrum, then ;)

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  12. Wow their buffet table is loaded. This is so near the office. I must try this.

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  13. I do not really go for buffets because we do not eat too much food. But these pictures really look so tempting! I have to find that hotel first, never heard of it till now.

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  14. THat plate of cheese!!! Definitely mouth-watering! I like buffets in general because of the variety, obviously. But I really like the high-end ones that ensure not only variety but also quality. :) Spectrum seems like a great buffet to try. :)

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  15. I've heard a lot of good things about this buffet, hope I can try it soon.

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  16. I love Spectrum, it's one of my favorite hotel buffets. I like how they customize your orders and the dessert selection is so good. :)

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  17. OMG! I'm impressed with the spread! Love the seafood selection, and that mascarpone with pistacho and honey is a classic Italian dessert I would love to try!!! For sure I'll go back to your post if and when I plan to dine there!

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  18. Looks promising, Sumi. Love your shots of the food and the ambiance. with all the selections, I think, the price is just worth it.

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  19. Awww!!! food!
    I'll ask my team.. Where always on the hunt for new places to dine after a night shift..
    Think fairmont will do great.. :)

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  20. I so love your review. I just got to know a new food-tripping. Haha
    Really craving for the Salmon Quiche and Roast Beef. As I can see, in your verdict, the Spectrum at Fairmont Makati is worth a try. Thanks! :)

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  21. With those tempting food, I am so speechless! I think I must try this sometime! :)

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  22. Been to Solaire! I think maganda din dito.. Scrumptious and good ambiance din! Ma-try nga. :))))

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  23. wow,the food looks yummy,i definitely must try all.

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  24. aaahhh SPECTRUM I'm getting more excited to eat there, because I just won a GC good for 2. your post is so appetizing, I wish I could eat everything hahaha And I'm sure Desserts will be my favorite section.

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  25. Wooow Spectrum! Reminds me of Spiral and Circles! There's a wide range of choices, and everything looks appetizing that I'm drooling over my keyboard right now! ♥♥♥

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  26. me and hubby would visit this place tomorow,yippe,gonna try the sea food pizza

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  27. Would love to try Fairmont Hotel's Spectrum Buffet someday. The buffet spread looks so yummy. Mu kids would really love to see the live bees too.

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  28. Wow great selection! Id prolly go after the cheese and cold cuts, carving, seafood and desserts station :D And I wont miss the honey spread section :D Were you able to try the icecream? The flavoured water sounds interesting :D

    -aulie

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  29. am pretty sre my family will enjoy this sumptous buffet:)

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  30. their maki's are to die for..yum!=)

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  32. Have eaten at Fairmont Hotel on one occasion (not in Spectrum). Yes, they really know how to cook food. Would love to try Spectrum

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  33. It looks very enticing to eat here, I love buffets. I wish I can eat here soon!

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  34. me and my hubby is a fan of eat all you can resto. But we haven't tried sa mamahaling restaurant. But this one looks surprising, unang silip mo pa lang sa mga foods, wow parang gusto mong tikman lahat. Would really love to experience dining on this place :)

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  35. From the looks of the place palang busog na ko :) Good thing you were able to also feature the desserts yun kasi una kong tinitignan sa mga buffet restaurant. I'm excited to try the cakes and the crepe station if ever hehe. The main entrées definitely looks above average compared to the ones i've seen from other restaurants. All in all base on your review i'm sure anyone who get the chance to go there will have an AWESOME time.

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  36. Wow! *Drools* You really do write well. This particular blog entry is really mouth-watering. The pictures are just so perfect. Can't wait to try their gastronomic spread. I really hope to win your giveaway contest. By the way, belated happy birthday and congrats for a well-informative (and 'nakakagutom') blog. :)

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  37. This resto is very classy and the food looks so yummy. The coolest thing i have ever seen in your blog is the "Honey Station. Gotta try that because i am a honey lover! I think the price is worth it because of the different variants and cuisines. *drooling*

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  38. woah! what a nice place :D i also want to try it, the food, the service, the ambiance, = Spectrum :D *drools* SUSHI BARRRRR!!! OMO!!!! picture palang nakakalaway na pano pa kaya sa personal na. -__-

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  39. Fairmont Makati is a must try! And thank you for this, at least now I have ideas kung ano mga available doon.. Will got here someday too! :)

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  40. i love the food and the place hope try it soon.

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  41. The perfect hotel that I have heard, from the luxurious rooms up the kitchen nothing compare..this is the best..

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  42. gusto ko matry sushi nila, craving for this one <3

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  43. wow the foods looks appetizing, I'm drooling right now.

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  44. if ever I'll be in that buffet, you'll surely find me at the assorted seafood!! hahaha

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  45. Amazing this buffet, everything looks delicious, especially the maki rolls and the mixed vegetable couscous. Thanks for this great post.

    Jasmine x
    For a Real Woman
    So easy Spanish!

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    Message me at yhuan.flores@yahoo.com
    For more details visit www.unemployedpinoys.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Greatly, hotels do have good food to see and taste. Really costly but with a good celebration for me, I will choose Raffles and Fairmont Makati. Do they have promo this holiday season?! I do hope!

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  48. awww,,., food!! drooling over these photos! I want to try their menus.

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  49. Agree ako sa rating mo! I tried having brekky na jan!

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  50. That's one extensive, drool-worthy food review, Sumi! :)

    I can't wait to try their scrumptious offers.

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