The Buffet at Grand Villa Casino: Disappointing Surf and Turf

Okay, so I’m not as young as I used to be. There was a time in my life that I enjoyed buffets and trying to get the most out of them that I could. As I’ve gotten older, I realize that I can’t eat as much as I used to so I’m more interested in having good quality food over endless portions of mediocre food.

Reflect Social Dining + Lounge: Brunch in Burnaby

One of the benefits of a large hotel is that they usually have a pretty good restaurant attached for their guests. Unfortunately, once you move outside of the Vancouver downtown core, your options are a bit limited. Reflect Social Dining + Lounge is located in the Hilton in Crystal Mall and has been one of our go-to places for special brunches in Burnaby.

Lychee (Hawaii 2018): Breakfast Buffet

We were a bit hesitant to try the breakfast buffet at Lychee, a restaurant located on the 2nd floor of the Alohilani Resort, due to the price tag ($35) but quickly realized that most touristy restaurants inside hotels run around the same price range so we bit the bullet.

The Veranda (Hawaii 2018): Breakfast Buffet at the Beach Bar

The Moana Surfrider is one of the most historic and picturesque hotels located in Waikiki. Situated right on Waikiki Beach, the views from here are amazing. We decided to visit The Veranda for breakfast (which, as the name implies, is served on the veranda of the Moana Surfrider). As it turns out, however, this coincided with Mother’s Day and they had a special Breakfast Buffet ($30) which was instead being served in the adjacent Beach Bar area, under the canopy of their large banyan tree.

Duke’s Waikiki (Hawaii 2016) – Hula Pie

There is a reason why Duke’s is a staple in Waikiki. Much like their namesake, Duke Kahanamoku, Duke’s Waikiki seems to epitomize the tourist’s idealized image of living in Waikiki, right down to the performers serenading you at your table. That’s not a bad thing either.

CHOP Steakhouse & Bar – You’ve Been Chopped

I was in Richmond early one morning in October so I decided to stop by CHOP Steakhouse & Bar for breakfast. I knew that they should be open because I checked their website and it said that they open at 6:30am. So, imagine my surprise when I go up to their restaurant and all the lights are out and the door to their main entrance is locked. I looked around a little more and noticed that they had a separate entrance for their lounge and realized that they only opened their lounge for breakfast.

Duke’s Waikiki and Barefoot Bar (2015)

We’ve been to Duke’s before on our last visit to Waikiki so I won’t bore you with the whole story about how it’s named for Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, who first brought surfing and Hawaii to prominence. It’s located in the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, which made it very convenient for us on our recent trip.

Mosaic Grille & Bar – Breakfast Buffet Revisit

It never fails for me… I try a restaurant out and enjoy it so much that I can’t wait to revisit… but, for some reason, it never lives up to that first visit. Take, for example, Mosaic Grille. I visited earlier in the year and had a truly wonderful experience with their breakfast buffet. I brought my honey here in September and wound up with less-than-stellar food and service delivery.

Gulberg Fine Cuisine – Pakistani Buffet

Gulberg Fine Cuisine is located in the Fleetwood area of Surrey and serves up Pakistani/Indian dishes. 

Mosaic Grille & Bar – Breakfast Buffet

In mid-November, I found myself on a rare visit downtown and decided to try out the breakfast buffet at Mosaic Grille & Bar.  Before breakfast, however, I had to find the place.  I knew that it was in the Hyatt Regency on Burrard (conveniently located next to the Burrard Skytrain station), but that was it.

Spice Market Buffet (Las Vegas 2013)

We’re not as young as we used to be so we don’t spend as much time at buffets in Vegas anymore.  Still, we felt like we needed to try at least one during our visit so we picked the Spice Market Buffet located under the Planet Hollywood casino.

Saffron Indian Cuisine

To eat AYCE or not to eat AYCE… that is the question.  While you could order off of the à la carte menu, the buffet is a better deal and you get to have a variety of dishes.