Alba

Every time I come back to the Philippines, there's one thing that will usually, and almost for sure, happen. My grandmother will always treat me out for lunch, with the rest of my cousins, on a Sunday, and always, we would head off to have that lunch buffet at Alba's.

The place is located at Tomas Morato. Its a Spanish-Filipino (slightly fusioned) restaurant, nicely decorated, much like Portico's, small, cozy, warm. No bars around, but there is a section for a delicatessen with cheeses, hams and desserts.

For the buffet, its not a long table to begin with, but quantity doesn't always mean quality. Their usual Sunday lunch buffet servings include Spanish potato omelettes, baked mussels with cheese, sauteed mushrooms, hams and lots of finger foods. They have this great big huge seafood Paella as one of the highlights, with all sorts of stuff.. crab, shrimp, squid.. the works, and its very nice. Additionally, there'd be a couple of additional main courses, usually 4, which would always seem to have my favorite, lengua (ox's tongue) to my liking. Finally, there's a small section that offers fresh lechon, and afterwards, a motley of desserts like Brazo de Mercedes, Leche Flan, fresh fruits and small cake desserts.

The restaurant isn't big, and so far I've seen, its only got first floors (compared to Portico, which had second floors to accomodate more people). The space aside though, the place is comfy, the food is good, but they do not seem to have a flag dish that would come accross as spectacular or distinctive. But you certainly get your money's worth when it comes to the quality of food they provide, and trust me, after being to another buffet the previous day, I find that THAT previous place should be ashamed to even be open when compared to the likes of Albas.

A nice place to go to, when you're particularly not craving for anything, and want to have good, comfortable food.

.... and strangely enough, its ALWAYS the same table we sit on. What gives?