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Red Hot World Buffet, Manchester

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Recently opened in May, I took the opportunity on a wet Tuesday night to go to ”the biggest buffet restaurant in Europe” Having done my degree in Manchester I was curious to see if buffets were still populated by students, filling up (and out) on cheap food at a bargain price.

I arrived at just before 9.00pm to be told on the door that a table for 1 would be a 20-30 minute wait. I asked the host how 700 seats could be full on a Tuesday and he said that they only have 300 – bang goes one myth straight away, not the biggest in Europe!.

 I was asked to go the bar, which is on the ground floor by the entrance. I joined 30 other people who were all waiting, waiting for a seat upstairs, but more crucially waiting for a drink at the bar. Service was worse than painfully slow, it was comical. “Our man” behind the bar had obviously watched Cocktail in his youth and fancied himself as a bit of a Tom Cruise. Sadly he would have been more at home as a Tom Thumb. Lobbing cubes of ice in the air and missing it with the glass guaranteed that he would be going home alone that night…….

20 minutes later I was sat in the bar with my £3 bottle of Peroni, wondering why the table top was at an angle. People do the strangest things when alone, so I started to figure out why it was wonky, but gave up when a couple came out of the disabled toilet on the ground floor. Well it is Manchester, I hear you say!

Finally I was ushered up the steep stairs to the main buffet and seating area. The stairs are light with red treads and a large globe hangs over the space. There are plently of nice design touches but the robustness and finishes are just not good enough. As a result, a lot of it is looking well worn alrready after 2 months.

I queued again at the top of  the stairs and was finally seated at table 37. Would it surpirse you to learn that over 35% of the restaurant seats were empty, tables reset and ready to do business? I can’t beleive that in this day and age operators still push people into average bars to drive up spend. I would happily have spent the money upstairs anyway, but felt “short changed” already.

There was nothing on the table, just a number. After 15 minutes I asked a young man, who was dressed in uniform, what to do. He said look at your placemat and it tells you, then realising I didn’t have one. It was approaching 9.45,  I was now hungry and wanted to sample the buffet “delights”. I ordered another Peroni, got up and made my way to the “world buffet” area. Lots of promise.

The plates were all wet. Not dripping, but they had been stacked before drying properly and several were strewn around the pick up area. A quick wander and I got the hang of what was on offer, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, appetisers, deserts and traditional favourites. When I started to look a little more closely I realised that many of the containers, hot holding units and displays had little or nothing in them. Several of the curries were just sauce, no meat and when I enquired I was told “we are closing soon”. Obviously not ideal if you want to “fill your boots” after 9.30pm. Fortunately, I am a light eater, as you all know, so I picked my way through some appetisers. Lots of deep fried “stuff” but some interesting and rather pleasant cold savouries.

Having walked back to good old table 37, I sat down and ate, watching the assorted diners around me. Yes students were in abundance, with their iphones and jeans with the odd crotch, but there were also families, business people and some drinkers. A right old mix of people, somewhat like the broad range of food on offer.

I returned to the buffet for some main course. Lots of containers, not lots of food. It was looking decidedly sad and wasn’t helped by the fact that staff were wondering round telling people the buffet would be closing shortly. Again I found some Thai curry and rice, and onion bahji, that satisfied. I followed up with a viewing of the desert counters which are truly spectacular, and settled for some Gulub Juman, a favourite sweet dish of mine that I was taught how to make in Manchester by my Asian neighbours. Served in a sticky syrup, it rocks my world when I can get it.

Having completed my “world trip” of food I paid at the desk, strategically located in the worst possible spot by the entrance to the buffet and the way in and out. That is when it is all brought home to you. £13.99 including tax and Vat. I wasn’t going to grumble too much over a few empty dishes and a display that was past its sell by date, as I had probably had £13.99 worth of value. Well, maybe.

There were many things that need improving, but I guess for those that do “fill their boots”, that take advantage of the vast quantities and choice on offer, this will amount to exceptional value. Had I been back in my student days, I would have been very pleased indeed. But I’m not. I like a little bit of order, a bit nicer finish and much better tasting food. That’s why, when I have the choice, I will pop out to the Trafford Centre and nosh at Chaobaby. It’s still a buffet, but somehow better, a lot better.


Filed under: Industry Comment, Shopping and Leisure, Uncategorized, Unit Reviews Tagged: Buffet Restaurants, Chaobaby, Manchester, Red Hot World Buffet, Student meals

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