What a better way to celebrate the LOVE Month than being with your most favorite person surrounded by food. Yaaasss! For dinner we decided to head to U.P. Town Center to check out The Alley by Vikings, the latest food concept of The Vikings Group. Pretty much, The Alley is like a food park that has its own little stalls where you can order food and eat at your table, except that this one is well curated and the best part is you can eat and drink all you want.
The concept of the place was nice but at the start of meal during dinner the alleys can be a bit too crowded when you walk to check out each stalls. There were a total of 15 stalls (If you include the Bibingka stand-alone stall) which offers different food that ranges from Pinoy food hits to international cuisines.
I was a little disappointed with some of the things in this place only because I was expecting for something more since this a concept of The Vikings Group. I've been to a couple of Vikings restaurant and a few times in NUI by Vikings, which by the way is one of my all-time fave buffet restaurant and it didn't even come close. To make it easier I'll list down what I liked and didn't like from The Alley - not including food reviews yet. I'll have it discussed in the latter part of the blog.
YAY!
- The place is Instagram -Worthy!
- The interiors were well-thought-of . The moving clouds and panda chairs were my favorite.
- I loved the roaming balut vendor.
NAY!
- The food selection weren't that impressive. Each stall has a unique cuisine to offer but with less options.
- The "Alley" can be a bit too crowded at times.
- Item/s ran out even if they just started. ex: Hakaw 😒 we went back 3x for the Hakaw because the 1st time they said they would need to steam it first for like 15 mins and the 2nd and 3rd time they're out of Hakaw. Why they just started operations T_T we came in 5:00 PM for Dinner?
- They make you wait for your food and pick it up from the stall. EX: Steak and Bagnet. For the steak they give you like those little disk that light up once your order is one and pick it up from from Just Steak A Minute, they could've just gotten your table number and have it delivered. I had to wait for around 10-15 minutes in line for the Bagnet, Where in they could've just taken your order and have it delivered to your table. The older folks behind me were very much dismayed but was not willing to give up because the Bagnet looks absolutely stunning. The Lola behind me said "Pano pag nasarapan ako dito, pipila ulet ako? I could have just spent this time with my family in the table and bonding with them", which make perfect sense! It could've been a better dining experience if we didn't have to stay in the queue for a long time. I know they make it as you order but it still could be improved.
- Now maybe its just me, but they didn't have free wine. Ok fine its my fault - I got used to NUI 😋
- They have a coffee bar but they didn't have the option to have a non-fat for their milk. I'm not sure if the actual Nord's have that but I wish they had that option.
 |
| first plate more like spread... haha first spread! |
 |
| Seafood Chowder It was creamy and that was it. |
 |
| Seafood in a Pan It was quite good and flavorful. |
 |
| Baked Oysters Yummers! Must Order! |
 |
| Flavored Calamari and Shrimp Dynamite Both were delish but my absolute favorite was the Shrimp Dynamite - Perfect pairing for an Iced cold beer or Drink of the Day from Kegz. |
 |
| Sushi Rolls were good <3 |
 |
| Sashimi and NigiriI love the Salmon Sushi 😍 |
 |
| Cheese selection was not impressive. Edam? Cmon! |
 |
| 😒 |
 |
| Because KETO DIET... not! hehe |
 |
| Classic Bagnet Sobrang Sarap wala na kong pakelam kung sumaket batok ko! Sinfully Goooooood! Ang highlight ng gabi ko! Worth it na din ang pag pila ko pero mas masaya sana kung indi ako pumili ng matagal! |
 |
| Kinilaw Bagnet M A S A R A P!!! ANG HIRAP MAGPANGGAP NG WALANG KANIN!!! |
 |
| Really disappointed with the steak 😔 B and I were really looking forward to steak but it lacked flavor. |
 |
| Tom YumWith the price tag of Php 888 for dinner I wished they used fresh shrimp for this dish - disappointed with the taste 😒 |
 |
| Roti and Beef RendangBoth were good! The Beef rendang was flavorful and the beef was soft. |
 |
| Singkamas If you were to add Singkamas in your buffet might as well add Manggang hilaw right? This one is cute tho. |
 |
| Pinoy Street Food Hits! Balut, Sorbetes and Taho! I had fun eating the Balut till I saw the baby duck 😖 |
 |
| DIY Ice Cream Bar - Coffee Crumble and some random toppings was the bomb! I love the pausok effect! hehe 😋 |
 |
| Assorted Cakes and Coffee to end the night |
There were some hit and miss on the food taste but to cap my review for The Alley by Vikings, in a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest I'll give it a 7. Will I come back? Maybe if I wont have to pay for it. There is a potential for this concept I just hope they improve on their food taste and service. Kudos for the interiors, gotta love em panda chairs - I want one in my room or dining area 😍
ADULT RATE:
Adult Weekday Lunch: 688 (+5% service charge)
Adult Weekday Dinner: 888 (+5% service charge)
Adult Weekends/Holiday Lunch & Dinner: 888 (+5% service charge)
**Prices may change please check their website for any updates.
*This is not a sponsored post.
ADULT RATE:
Adult Weekday Lunch: 688 (+5% service charge)
Adult Weekday Dinner: 888 (+5% service charge)
Adult Weekends/Holiday Lunch & Dinner: 888 (+5% service charge)
**Prices may change please check their website for any updates.
*This is not a sponsored post.
The Alley by Vikings
2nd Level, Phase 2, U.P. Town Center, Ayala Mall,
Katipunan Ave. Central Diliman, Quezon City
