December 23, 2014

NIU by Vikings: Up Scale Buffet Restaurant

During the past year, there have been many buffet restaurants that sprawled along the metro and they try to out run one another with who has a more extensive food selection and more posh interior and ambiance. I don’t know about you, but for me, the atmosphere and décor of a restaurant greatly influences my dining experience, especially if it is Instagram-friendly. But of course the food should be worth it too. Buffet prices range from PHP599-PHP2000++, but if you’re lucky, you can find online deals that is almost half the price of when you go or pay to the restaurant buffet directly.




Before November ended, our couple friend asked if we wanted to try the up-scale version of Vikings Buffet called NIU  by Vikings which is in SM Aura Premier in BGC. I have tried Vikings twice and I both loved the amount, selection and quality of food that they offer; so after learning that they have a higher-end version of what they originally serve then we guessed it was worth trying.  Also, buffet restaurants usually have promotions that when it’s your birthday month you either get to eat free or there’s a discount. NIU by Vikings’ current promo for birthday celebrants is that they would get a discount depending on their age and should be availed within their birthday month.







I super like the interiors of NIU, it reminds me of a posh and vintage in-house hotel restaurant. I’m not so sure but the furniture and decors looks they're 1920s glam and yes it’s Instagram worthy! Although all Vikings restaurant across Manila have nice interiors, NIU is definitely a step-up with its chic chandeliers, classy decorations and comfy upholstered chairs and couches. There’s also a grand piano at the center of the restaurant, although no one was playing at the time that we were there.




Function rooms are well decorated as well and is photo-op perfect! If you’re coming in a large group say 10 and above I suggest you call for reservation and ask if they can secure any of the function rooms for you.




You would really feel that the people behind NIU  by Vikings have put a very good thought in the overall atmosphere and interior for their upscale buffet restaurant and that includes their comfort rooms. Even NIU’s comfort rooms are decorated elaborately. It looked like a dressing or powder room inside a chateau in France.




So let’s get down to the star of this place: the food! Once you enter, it would seem that they have limited choices, but the entire left side of the restaurant from end to end occupies the area where all the variety of foods are placed. The menu is international and very very extensive: Filipino, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, French, Mongolian, American etc. We didn’t know where to start so we went to the farthest end and put onto our plate what took our attention and made us salivate.





We were really after the foie gras but unfortunately they don’t serve it during lunch. I had a game plan that I would taste a little bit of everything, but during my first stop at the carving station, the staff already gave me a big slice of rib eye steak that already occupied a large area in my stomach.




And then there’s the grilling station and they have beef medallion and lamb kofta; next to that are Mediterranean and Indian dishes. The combination of Beryani rice (cooked and place inside a real Moroccan tajine/tagine) and the lamb kofta was divine! That was my favorite area that my plan was destroyed because had two servings of those.




Just like in other Vikings restaurant, free flowing drinks and beers are also available. But at NIU, drinks are more well-curated and they serve a variety of wines, teas (they serve Twinnings!) and imported beer. And oh they also serve cocktails too! But my favorite drink would be that one with the lime, lemon and mint that tasted like mojito without the alcohol.


 




I also love the salad, cheese etc station; I did try all the cheese and everything was good. I also took a small amount of caviar and loved how it tasted; it wasn’t that bad unlike how people would usually react to it.




When it was time for dessert, my stomach had already stretch out to its maximum capacity and size. That is why I was only able to try a couple of the desserts that NIU is offering: French macarons, mini cakes and desserts in shot glasses. I really wanted to try their gelato but I knew if I added just one more thing in my stomach I would either throw everything up or will end in food coma. I felt sad that I wasn’t able to taste the gelatos but then again, I just had a reason to go back to NIU sometime soon.




Service was great, staff are polite and the chefs will offer to make you anything you like if it’s available. I was looking for some type of sushi and they didn’t have ready ones, the chef offered to make me some but I declined because I was just going to get 2-3 pcs of it and I didn’t want to trouble him. The staff would also often check your table for used plates so as to keep everything neat while you eat.




Weekday lunch is priced at PHP 1,088++, so was it worth the price? I guess so, because you wouldn't find a lot of their selections from other buffet restaurants unless you go to Spiral or Circles perhaps. The quality of the food is also a plus factor that you woudn't get from others.

Here are the rates: [ I got a discount because we dined there on my birthday month :-) ]



ADULTS
Weekday Lunch
P 1,088 +5% SC
Dinner, Weekend / Holiday
P 1,388 +5% SC

KIDS
FREE (Kids below 3ft. or 3 years old)

Lunch
P 288 Kids 1 (3ft. to 4ft. or 3 years to 7 years old)
P 488 Kids 2 (4ft. to 4 ft 6” or 8 to 10 years old)

Dinner, Weekend / Holiday
P 388 Kids 1(3ft. to 4ft. or 3 years to 7 years old)
P 688 Kids 2 (4ft. to 4 ft 6” or 8 to 10 years old)

Senior Citizens 75 years old & above - 50% Discount

NIU Birthday Promo: “Flaunt Your Age”
1. Birthday celebrant of all ages can avail the NIU birthday promo, “Flaunt Your Age,” on the day itself or on their birth month.
2. Celebrators will get a discount equivalent to their age on any day of their birth month on both lunch and dinner, as long as accompanied by ONE FULL PAYING ADULT.
3. One full paying adult are adult guests who will be paying full rate without any discounts.
4. Requirements for Celebrants: Celebrant must bring an ORIGINAL and VALID government issued picture I.D. with the birthdate imprinted on it, both local and foreign I.D.s are accepted, for proof (such as S.S.S., N.B.I., Driver’s License, Pag-Ibig, P.R.C., Barangay, Unified, Police Clearance I.D. and Passport) In the case that the celebrant doesn’t have a government issued picture I.D., he/she may bring his/her birth certificate supported by any picture I.D. (school I.D., parent’s I.D., company I.D.).
5. This promo can’t be used in conjunction with our current promotions or discounts (including senior citizen discounts).
6. This promo is available at NIU by Vikings, Level 6, SM Aura Premier.
7. This promo is valid until March 31, 2015.



NIU by Vikings
6th Flr., SM Aura Skypark, SM Aura Premier
26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Taguig City
+632 478-3888, 847-3888, +63 917 586-6888, & +63 919 999-6888.
E-mail: niubyvikings@gmail.com
Website: www.niu.ph
Facebook: www.facebook.com/niubyvikings


For more information and restaurant reviews, check out their Zomato profile:
NIU by Vikings Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


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