The Alley by Vikings at Ayala Malls Manila Bay has an ingenious food-hall concept, but our lunch was undermined by empty stations, rushed service and several poorly executed dishes.
We arrived at 1:15 p.m. and were told the restaurant would close at 2:30 p.m. Even with more than an hour remaining, the experience already felt as if closing procedures had begun.
Where the visit fell short
- Table setup: Placemats overlapped and utensils were hurriedly arranged.
- Availability: Several food stations were empty.
- Slider burger: The patty was extremely small.
- Hao Chi: Getting extra hoisin sauce required unnecessary insistence.
- Paella: Loose and lacking the expected texture and richness.
- Roast beef: Dry and very tough.
- Timing: At 1:42 p.m., a waiter reached for my plate while I was still eating. Checks began arriving around 1:43 p.m., nearly 45 minutes before the stated closing time.
A service bright spot
Jenny at the tempura station cooked a fresh serving and later offered bibingka and puto bumbong. Her initiative and attentiveness stood out and helped salvage part of the meal.
Verdict
The concept has real potential, but this visit needed better replenishment, food execution and service consistency. Jenny’s effort deserves credit; the broader experience did not meet expectations.
Leave a Reply