Mario’s Classic Sunday Lunch Buffet

Mario’s in Tomas Morato is an institution that serves classic Filipino and Spanish dishes for over 35 years. I, like many who lived in Quezon City have at one time or another eaten and celebrated a milestone at Mario’s. One of the best times to eat there was during their Sunday lunch buffet.

I did a little cursory examination of the buffet spread to target what food interested my senses. The spread is not the biggest around, but it has some crave worthy items.

We started off with some appetizers, baked oysters and croquetas. The first to be snapped up was the oysters, but the kitchen kept on replenishing.Despite how heavy potatoes are, I could never resit the potato tots shaped croquettes. I had only a piece of the blooming onion, not as big as those from Outback but still a nice a good crunchie.

There are other appetizers I enjoyed liked the Deviled potatoes and macaroni salad. They also surprisingly also had some sushi rolls like the California and kani salad maki. Not the best sushi in the world but the sure liked them, judging by the speed they disappeared.

You can also get unlimited servings of Mario’s classic Caesar salad, just ask the waitstaff for a plate, then another plate, then another.

After the appetizers, it is time to move on to the most exciting part of the buffet, the carving station where pork and beef are side by side together. A whole Cochinillo, in all its crunchy glory, underneath warming lights to keep the skin crackling good. If beef is more you thing, the generous slices of roast beef laid on it sown jus should make you happy. I filled up a plate with both cochinillo and roast beef, attempting to complete my own version of the Fillet Mignon.

The hits don’t stuff as you round the corner, there a whole paella, Arroz con Pollo (Rice with Chicken) waiting to be devoured. This has something everything for everyone, soft, fluffy rice for me filled with scrumptious toppings, as well as soccarat under for the legions of people who like it.

Here are some of the other savory dishes, Tomato and Saffron Fish.

Beef Penang, a slight spicy dish cooked in coconut milk topped with peanuts.

The Honey and Lemon Glazed Chicken was sweet and citrusy and I got a couple of pieces because of the sweetness.

Balsamic Tomato and Chorizo Fettuccine and Creamy Tuna Pasta should get you all loaded up with carbs.

Here a few of the desserts available that day, the ever popular chocolate fountain where children seem to converge on, creme brulee, chocolate torte and bread pudding.

The Mario’s Sunday Lunch Buffet may not have the biggest or most ornate spread but there are a number of standout things that keep people coming back again and again. For only P750+ for adults and P580+ for children, its definitely worth the money. Cochinillo, Paella, roast beef,, baked oysters and Caesar Salad, just eat those 5 things and it is all worth it, the other dishes are just bonus.