<b>Beyond Pink Stripes</b>

Random musings, stories, snapshots, and reviews from the "little" girl with several abandoned blogs who suddenly finds herself inspired to scribble once again after coming into her senses and realizing that there's more to LIFE than PINK STRIPES.☺

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Birthday Buffet at Vikings Marikina (Photo Heavy!^^)

With the wide array of enticing and delicious food all in one place just waiting to be devoured plus the freedom to eat as much as one wants... BUFFETS are always a treat to the senses and provide one helluva gastronomic experience to just about anybody.^^

But not all buffets are created equal. Some have limited food choices, probably 2-3 main courses only. But some have selection vast enough to create a "where-to-begin" sort of panic to any diner haha.

That sort of panic was what I felt the moment I stepped into VIKINGS (A Feast From The Sea) Marikina, the buffet place where we celebrated Hubby's birthday last February (my surprise for him, actually ^^). There was a loooooong queue of everything edible and yes, there was indeed a feast going on! Mind you, it was not my first time to dine in Vikings and yet I felt tremendously excited just the same.^^





RESERVATION and BIRTHDAY PROMO

Prior to our Vikings date, I had to reserve in order for us to be assured of seats. I called this mobile number for such purpose: +639178766888. It took me a few dials before I was able to get through, securing 2 seats for Sunday dinner, a day after the Hubby's actual birthday. 

I also informed Vikings during the call that my Hubby would be availing of the Birthday Promo aka FREE DINNER!:) Yeah, any celebrator can dine for lunch or dinner WAIVED OF FEES 3 days prior, on his birthday and 3 days after! Weeeeeeeee!^^ 

The call ended with some instructions: to be at the restaurant between 5:00 pm to 6:30pm or else the reservation will be forfeited and to bring the Hubby's ID with birthday indicated on it.


ON WITH THE BIRTHDAY FEAST

Upon entering the restaurant, we were led to what I would dub as the "couple's area" or the row of 2-seater tables. The tables were so close to each other though that I had to be very careful in navigating, lest the risk of bumping into the tables of the diners to our right and left.I bet the tables were arranged that way to maximize the space but somehow, it brought about inconvenience to a certain degree. If I would have something to complain to Vikings, this would be it. Anyway, the buffet itself proved to be enough compensation for such hassle.

Moving on... it took me about 15 minutes to survey the overwhelming stretch of "tastebud-delights" before zeroing in on my first batch of tummy fillers haha. Here are some of the photos I took during such deciding period which would more or less give you an idea on the buffet's awesomeness. 

BREAD AND PASTRIES


CANAPES AND SALADS





CHINESE CUISINE

FILIPINO FARE

JUST JAPANESE

K-FOOD (KOREAN)

GRILL STATION

OYSTERSSSSS!!!!!!

FOR KIDS AND FEELING KIDS HAHA

MEAT GALORE

PIZZA

SWEETS...

MORE SWEETS...

MORE MORE SWEETS...

MORE MORE MORE SWEETS!^^

THE STUFF THAT MADE MY TUMMY HAPPY ^^
Yep, ALL MINE!^^ (I wasn't able to document Hubby's dinner LOL)

FIRST BATCH OF TUMMY FILLERS

SECOND BATCH OF TUMMY FILLERS

CHEERS!
STRAWBERRY AND MANGO JUICE + SAKE

MY DESSERT PLATE

The AVOCADO ICE CREAM was a big hit for us that we weren't contented
with just a serving. We had to wait for about 5 minutes before the
 "best-selling" ice cream for the night was replenished.^^

The Hubby was given a cute birthday cake, compliments of Vikings. Birthday singers were supposed to sing "Happy Birthday" to him as well but he opted not to be serenaded as he did not want to draw attention haha.^^




Needless to say, Hubby and I died and went to food heaven that night haha!^^

There will surely be a next time for Vikings Buffet!^^


********************
VIKINGS BUFFET Marikina Branch
2nd Floor SM Marikina

For rates, branches and and other info, click here.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Instant Korean Army Soup

Ever since I got to sample budae jjigae or military/ army soup during my trip to Korea in 2011, I have been meaning to recreate such dish at home. 

Just a little bit of history...the origins of army soup can be traced back to the period after the Korean War wherein people had to be resourceful in order to survive amidst food scarcity. It was named as such because surplus food from US forces were combined with traditional Korean spicy soup to create the filling fare. 

Lifted off my previous post about my Seoul experience.
 To read more about it, click here.:)
Moving on...so I have been meaning to cook army soup since 2011 but, lo and behold, it would take me 3 years to finally do so hahaha.^^

Tonight, Hubby and I rummaged through our fridge and found the right ingredients for our instant army soup!^^ And I am more than glad to share with everyone how we did it. 

INSTANT ARMY SOUP

Ingredients:

Fresh corn kernels
Hotdogs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Fishballs
Boiled eggs
Korean instant noodles (spicy variant)

Directions:
1. Boil eggs. Set aside.
2. Boil corn kernels until tender.
3. Throw in hotdogs and fishballs into the casserole .
4. After 2-3 minutes, add instant noodles.
5. Stir the mixture occasionally, adding water as desired or to adjust the level of spiciness.
6. Once the noodles are cooked, remove from fire.
7. Add the boiled eggs.
8. Serve and enjoy!

Tadaaaaaaaah....our "Korean" dinner!^^



In making army soup, any suitable ingredients such as (fresh or leftover) luncheon meat, ham and other cold cuts, plus vegetables and what have you can actually be utilized. Except chocolates, perhaps? LOL ^^

Needless to say, a little creativity in the kitchen can do wonders for this dish.^^