Weekday Dinner Feast at Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant in SM Lanang Premier Davao

The Vikings are here! Finally the long wait is over to try what is known as the largest buffet in the Philippines which has come to our beloved city of Davao!

Finally Vikings opened its doors to Davao and we need not go to Manila to try their buffet feast.

As they would put it “Finally a luxury buffet for every Juan!

Look at us all smiles after our first dining experience at Vikings SM Lanang Davao!

Here is my first glimpse as I stepped inside for the first time during their opening night last September 28.

According to Vikings Director Mr. Anderson Hao, they chose Davao City because it is a growing city. “We thought it would be a good time to show the Dabawenyos a new way of dining. Something that they’ve never experienced before. A luxury buffet that’s out of the hotel but at an affordable price.”

I among so many Davaoenos have been excited to dine and “eat like a Viking” since the news spread that they are coming to Davao. Vikings is the largest buffet restaurant in the country. They now have four branches in SM Mall of Asia (MOA) which is their largest branch, SM Marikina, SM North EDSA and this first branch outside Metro Manila also the first in Visayas and Mindanao right here in Davao City at SM Lanang Premier.

“Each Vikings branch has its own unique interior. We encourage guests to “travel” from one branch to another, as a true Viking would from one uncharted territory to another. Vikings Mall of Asia has the more Nordic theme with elements of the Vikings ship incorporated into the interior. Vikings Marikina has a more homey vintage feel to it, and it boasts the longest buffet table in all of our Vikings branches. Vikings North EDSA has a classy black and white theme. Vikings Lanang in Davao City, the first branch outside Metro Manila and the first in the province area, has a modern Filipino theme,” according to Marketing Director Mr. Charles Stewart Lee.

When the Vikings finally arrived right here in our city as Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant Opened at SM Lanang Premier in Davao City last September 28, 2013, opening dinner buffet was a blockbuster especially that they had a Facebook opening promo. We may not have been able to dine but we got the chance to have a quick tour around during the opening dinner buffet that day and have a look at the different sections.

Thanks to Jeff whom we have known way back to his two known previous restaurant employers here in Davao where we have met him through our food trips there. At least we had a glimpse of what’s in store for us.

This is a collage of snapshots taken during our second attempt on October 1, 2013 to dine at Vikings. The first week during their soft opening was a blockbuster. Reservations are always full for lunch and dinner especially that they had a 50% Facebook promo for those who liked their page.

My boys and I were excited to come back and the opportunity to eat like a Viking finally came to reality on October 8, 2013 through an invite from Vikings. Thanks to Vikings Marketing Director Charles Stewart Lee as I was among those lucky to be selected to dine and write about our Vikings dining experience. Plus we were given a privilege to bring three dining guests with us. A luxury treat to a dinner feast indeed!

Vikings are known to “regularly hold grand feasts that would last for days on end; not stopping until their every want and need was satisfied.” I guess this buffet feast should be for food trippers and foodies who have a big as in big appetite in order to taste all of the dishes they have in their wide range of buffet menu. American and European to Asian like Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Filipino cuisine are among the dishes one could feast in their buffet menu.

Here are some of the snapshots that I was able to take with my phone cam before starting and during our dinner buffet feast. Let you be the judge after based on the number of photos you’ll see which I say is only about 80% of what Vikings Davao has to offer for anyone wanting to have a gastronomic feast and eat like a Viking!

I felt like snapping a photo of this before we start our dinner buffet feast. It tells you right away, you’re in for a luxury buffet. *wink*

When I saw this I remember how we tried finding Vikings at SM MOA a couple or so years ago. We wanted to dine there but after a day of walking and walking then and we could not find it along Seaside Boulevard, I said we might as well come back next time.  We may have missed finding it but here’s probably the closest I can get for now to Vikings MOA through this one printed on the napkin used at Vikings Davao for now. *wink*

Then during our last trip to Manila, I said anyway we will now have a Vikings branch in Davao, we might as well just wait for it here in Davao.

NOW here are some of the dishes they served that night of our very first ever Vikings buffet experience…

I wanted to start with this because we’re in Davao City and I know many people who like kinilaw and eat kinilaw for me. *wink*

Davao Kinilaw… this should be among the dishes in their menu for Vikings Davao after all we have an abundant supply of fresh fish here. I am just not much into kinilaw but I do know many foodie friends who love this.

For those who would like to stick to healthier options and are quite conscious of their diet, they have the salad station for health buffs.

Among their salad spread is this Dill Turkey Salad.

They also have their Waldorf Salad topped generously with lots of walnuts.

Of course there should be Pomelo Salad since one of the fruits known as pasalubong from Davao is pomelo or suha. We have an abundant supply of this fruit here in the city. This is a refreshing salad which is a combination of slices of pomelo and shrimp.

Insalata Caprese is a simple salad which is made of sliced fresh cheese usually mozzarella, tomatoes, seasoned with salt, and olive oil.

A plate served with healthy and delicious salad!

NOW… Vikings won’t be called “a feast from the sea” buffet restaurant if they don’t have these ones below right?

Eat all you can fresh sashimi anyone? They have shake sashimi, tako sashimi, ika sashimi.

Of course you can also enjoy a feast of eat-all-you-can with their sushi like tuna and salmon.

As well as their kani and tamago sushi among other choices that you have in their sushi section. It is a feast to the eyes for sushi lovers and in as much as I wish to take a snapshot while it was still beautifully filled with sushi, early diners were so eager to get them as you can see.

I took a few moments to watch the chef make some new sushi.

Now here is another taste of Davao… Vikings Davao’s Durian Maki.

Then here is their Japanese Pizza called Okonomiyaki.

I looked it up and it says “Okonomiyaki is sometimes compared to an omelette or a pancake and may be referred to as a “Japanese pizza”. Okonomi means as you like it, or what you like or what you want. I want to try this on our next food trip at Vikings. I tell there is so much more we have to come back to that we have not tried because we were really so full. *wink*

Their busy Japanese cuisine station.

Now here’s one foodie delight that I almost missed if I had not noticed a man taking many pieces of these.

I had more than I should. I missed that food trip we had with the husband when we had unlimited ebi tempura. I also ended up with ebi tempura overload. I just could not help myself. *wink*

STEAKS!

Probably the most sought after station by any Viking or food tripper there were these.

Choices of steak…

Top Blade Steak

Chuck Eye Roll Steak

Chef busy cooking at the steak station.

Here is a best seller… their Baby Back Ribs.

Those were gone so quickly and when I came back, good thing they were able to replenish it with more…

These Baby Back Ribs are delicious! It could have been more tender and I’d love it more.

Roasted chicken

They also have a Churrasco station near the steaks. Churrasco is a Portuguese and Spanish term that refers to beef or grilled meat. For meat lovers, this part of Vikings Davao is a feast for the tummy.

They also have a station for barbeque.

Chicken Pineapple and Pork Liempo

Beef Kebab…

Thai Pork

Chicken Wings

As for thee choices for their rice they have Lemon Rice…

And Steak Rice, which I like more between the two.

DESSERTS

Well my foodtrip to any buffet restaurant especially like Vikings won’t be complete without checking out the dessert section.

My eyes were drawn to these Creme Caramel.

Love them! Plus it’s has my fave walnuts as toppings.

Here below are the chocolate mousse…

Strawberry Panna Cotta

Blueberry Panna Cotta

Buko Pandan

They also have cakes…

They have this chocolate coated flakes as well.

Here are the desserts I tried… as I have mentioned earlier, I like their creme caramel. If I wasn’t full already, I would have gone for a second serving.

Moon Cake anyone?

They were refilling the dessert station on the second time I went to this area…

Nearby is their halo-halo station.

They also have Pinoy delicacies to choose from.

I’ll try to taste these next time.

There are also fresh fruits like mango, pineapple, watermelon, rambutan, melon and mangosteen.

Now this fondue fountain near the crepe station immediately caught the attention of my boys.

My son did not miss this and had a few servings of those marshmallows coated/dipped in chocolate. When I went back here, they have ran out of marshmallows. This is a fave of kids and yes also kids at heart who love marshmallows and chocolate fondue.

The crepe station is nearby.

Here’s the crepe that I was able to take a snapshot of…

These are the choices for fillings for your crepe. I was so full by the time I remembered this. I will try their crepe next time.

On the other side or a few steps away at the center section one would find the bread section. There’s pudding, dinner rolls, cinnamon toast, and ciabatta bread which is a fave of our son.

DRINKS / BEVERAGE

Included in the buffet are free drinks with choices like the wintermelon (yup I like wintermelon milk tea so this was good enough for me).

I drank more of their fresh carrot and papaya juice. Sorry I was busy drinking it while chatting with people trying out the other flavors there and then that I forgot to take a photo. Another fresh juice they have aside from the carrot-papaya is the tamarind juice according to the server I asked.

I like the fresh tamarind juice too. It tasted mild enough to be enjoyed even kids I guess. Interesting flavors among the juices they offer compared to other buffet restos around Davao that we have tried that serves the usual or more common fresh fruit juices. My son and hubby enjoyed their passion fruit juice. I hope they’ll try to have the apple-carrot or the guyabano juice maybe.

They also serve wine but it already on ala carte.

On my way back to our table from the drinks section, I passed by the Filipino cuisine station again. Lechon is always ever present and would you know the crunchy pork skin was the most sought after there. They were gone so fast as soon as the man chopping the lechon placed them in front of us.

Anyway, there is a lechon roll over near the steak section.

These are some of the Filipino dishes they have that night…

Beef Caldereta

Classic Filipino Pininyahang Manok

Near the Filipino cuisine section is their Shawarma.

You can make your own shawarma.

They also have this section…

As I went to another section, I found this Lamb Kofta…

Lengua

They also have a Pasta section where you can make your own pasta. Just follow the suggested steps.

PIZZA

They also have a pizza section for pizza lovers.

This Pizza Carbonara was our fave. Delicious!

 KIDS

Well if you dine with kids, they have food that kids can enjoy.

French Fries

Pasta

Fish Fingers

I felt full already after I tried to finish all the ebi tempura on my plate. I decided to go around and explore. the place and look around to appreciate more the interiors since during their opening night it was really crowded with people who want to dine and enjoy their gastronomic dining experience at Vikings and it was as I have said a very quick tour around since Jeff was also busy.

I’d like to stay here next time. I like this section of their dining area. It would be great to dine here with good, old dear friends and catch up while enjoying the feast offered by Vikings. This table has already been reserved for a group.

I went to see what was I was told before as their function room.

This is just part of the whole section.

It could be divided into two rooms. This is the view of the other side. It is more private to dine in here away from the hustle of the traffic of people going through around the various food sections at Vikings Davao.

This large painting of what seems to be Viking ships can be seen hanging on the wall on your way to the rest room area which is near the function room.

Their lights caught my attention as I was going around. Nice!

Before we left, I had to taste their taho. I miss taho and I love taho.

Looks yummy for any taho lover. The arnibal though was a little bit on the bitter side. I’ll give this another chance next time.

We were there early but people flocked in as soon as they opened their doors for dinner buffet that I just want to enjoy the feast right away because there are so many dishes one would want to try but I had to do some work first. *wink*

Vikings Davao also feature recipes from Chef Gene Gonzales who is also their consultant. I have seen photos with videos posted by Chef Gene and his son Chef Gino of Vikings Davao prior to their opening to the public last September 28, 2013.

I read about them having durian barbeque with grilled salmon. I wanted to try that. I also read in the news that there is a more upscale counterpart of Vikings called Niu which will soon open at SM Aura Premier this year. I hope if we do get to visit that on our next trip to SM Aura in BGC.

Thank you so much Vikings SM Lanang Davao for having me and my boys along with my sister and treating us to a Weekday Dinner Feast at Vikings Luxury Buffet Restaurant, our first Vikings food trip experience and it happened right here in Davao City! We will be back soon to try the other dishes we were no longer able to taste because we were so full already. I think one’s appetite and tummy should be as big as a real Viking

Promos

Big group promo wherein they have this 10+2 promo such that for every 10 diners, two can eat for free. They also have a birthday promo and the Facebook 50% opening promo.

Now you can #eatlikeaviking with your family and friends!

Introducing their Big Group Promo:

1) For every increment of 10 full paying guests, 2 other full paying guests may eat for free (these 2 guests will not be part of the 10).

2) Guest must, however, have at least a minimum of 10 full paying guests in their party in order to avail the promo.

3) This promo can’t be used in conjunction with other in house promotions or discounts.

4) This promo can’t be used in conjunction with Vikings Gift Certificates.

5) Please refer to the table in www.vikings.ph for more information on how many guests will eat for free in your group.

BUFFET RATES

BIRTHDAY PROMO updated as of October 11, 2013 as posted in the Vikings SM Lanang Davao Facebook page:

This promo is designed for guests who are unable to avail our usual birthday promo on the exact day of their birthday.

1) Birthday celebrant can avail the promo WITHIN 3 days before and 3 days after their actual birthdate, and on the actual day of birthday (that’s literally eating 7 days for free on your birthday!)

2) Celebrants may eat for free at Vikings when they wish to avail the birthday promo, as long as they are accompanied by one full paying adult.

3) One full paying adult are adult guests who will be paying full rate without any discounts.

4) 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 adult guest 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.) In the case that the child guest doesn’t have a government issued picture I.D., he/she may bring his/her birth certificate supported by his/her parent’s picture I.D. or his/her own picture I.D (school I.D.).

5) This promo can’t be used in conjunction with other in house promotions or discounts.

6) Gift certificates can’t be used with this promo.

7) The promo is only available at Vikings Marikina and Vikings Lanang.

“Be merry, eat hearty and feast like a Viking today.” – Vikings Luxury Buffet

Vikings SM Lanang Davao
SM Lanang Premier
Upper Ground Level, Fountain Court, SM Lanang Premier, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
For reservations, call (082) 285 3888 and 285 4888
You can send them a PRIVATE MESSAGE at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VikingsLanang

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