I read that it cost $17 million to make. It has nine different stations, with a proclaimed 500 unique items (Seafood, American, Mexican, Italian, Pizza, Deli, Chinese, Japanese, Dessert) with the Dessert station being the largest if I remember correctly. Pretty much each station has someone that will make something for you.
If you have a seven minutes check out this video tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W2vaNm8_B4
I've read yelp reviews where the wait is near two hours, but it wasn't bad for Richard and I when we hit this place up on a Tuesday around 5:30p. I prepped myself to try as many different options as possible. I paid the 40 something (having a Total Rewards card saves you a couple bucks) and we were seated and told to start at the seafood station and make our way to the right until we reach the end.
It took me two plates to make the whole trip (minus dessert). I would not significantly bet the under at 500 different items for dinner, I'd gladly take the over at 400.
So here are my thoughts on what I tried (left to right, top to bottom)
Plate 1:
Carne Asada tacos (4/10): the carne asada was great, but the corn tortillas were horrible. The default salsa was fine, but if you're a salsa fan you should check out their salsa bar that features several kinds of salsa.
Waygu beef sliders(8/10): Very tasty. The one I got was a tad cold, but I could have easily eaten a couple more, but my goal was variety
Clam bake (8/10): I've never been to an authentic one, but I enjoyed this. The clams were good, so was the corn, potatoes and sausage.
Chicken wings (7.5/10): Very well done. I liked them since they were very light on the sauce and the skin was very crispy.
Chicken tamale (2/10): Probably the worst thing I ate. I took a couple bites and was very disappointed. Dry masa, no real flavor.
Aritisan sausage (8.5/10): This was like a great kilbasa. Well spiced and perfect for a sausage.
Prime rib (8.5/10): The best prime rib I can remember. I'm usually not a huge prime rib fan, but its probably in the top 3-5 things I ate.
Mac and Cheese (6.5/10): not bad, but not spectacular.
Lamb lollipop (8/10): well prepared and very tasty.
Shrimp (8/10): already peeled and they were giant. definitely more prawn sized than shrimp.
Plate 2:
Japanese ramen with pork (9/10): I know that wanting ramen at a buffet is weird, but this was really good. I've had Ramen Dojo and since then I've tried several other places, but none have lived up to Ramen Dojo (If you're in the San Mateo area you should try it if you like ramen at all, I'd go there everytime I'm home, but the lines are so ridiculously long at times that I pass, google some reviews). This is now a solid second on my list. The broth is milder than Ramen Dojo, but it honestly feels like you're drinking liquid pork, but not in a disgustingly fatty way. The noodles are perfectly al dente and the pork is well. This was definitely in my top 3 things I had there.
xialongbao (5/10): The soup was pretty good, but the skin was a bit like plastic. I've had way better.
Shrimp shumai (5/10): not bad not great
KC style spareribs (6*/10): It definitely tastes authentic, but I'm not a fan of super traditional KC bbq. I often find the meat too dry and smoke being too much of the flavor profile. However, I think this would make Richard's top 3 so I give it an asterisk. If you like the traditional style my guess is you'd give it an 8 and if you're like me you'll settle around a 6.
salami/chartreuse (7/10): They had a nice plate of meat and cheeses. I decided to try this one and I found it to be solid, but nothing to write home about.
Corn (6/10): it was good for what corn can be.
Plate 3:
Japanese Ramen with pork (9/10): couldn't help myself. I had to get another bowl
Fish and chips (3/10): The second worse thing I hate. Super greasy breading and little fish
Chinese duck (4/10): Just Meh. bottom 3 thing I tried for sure.
Plate 4 (start of dessert, I wish I ended with just this plate....)
Sticky Toffee gelato (8/10): It was tasty and reminded me of the gelatos I liked when I was in Italy
Crepe with strawberries, raspberries, bannanas, chocolate and whipped cream (4/10): This was made to order, but the crepe was bland and I think undercooked.
Chocolate and peanut butter cupcake (8/10): chocolate and peanut butter. Sold.
Baba (7.5/10): This is supposedly an Italian dessert. It tasted like a nice honey cake with a slightly sweet cream. The straw that is sticking out is filled with a thick raspberry jelly that you drizzle over the top. I liked it a lot, but other things stole the show.
The downfall: I felt full at this point, but I really liked the gelato and wanted one more. What happened was I ended up trying all ten flavors that were offered.
I'd rank them as follows:
Blood Orange: very tasty and has a strong blood orange flavor to it. Ended up more as a creamy sorbet. definitely a good palette cleanser.
Watermelon Mint: same thing as the blood orange, but with a strong watermelon flavor and a slight mint aftertaste. Usually I hate mint mixed with anything, but I enjoyed this very much.
Sticky Toffee: (reviewed previously)
Aztec chocolate: This is mexican chocolate mixed with chile peppers. I normally avoid spice, but it was mostly chocolate with a small bit of cinnamon taste and then a mild spicy aftertaste.
Strawberry cheesecake: tasted just as described, but not the best strawberry based ice cream I've had.
Vanilla: This paired well with the chocolate cookies they offered out of a cast iron skillet. I didn't get it pictured, but it was a great idea. The cookies are in these individual serving vessels but are kept warm through the cast iron skillet. You put gelato on top and you have an individual and better version of a Pizookie(sp?).
Baklava: It was okay. Not a fan of baklava in general, but better in gelato form.
Espresso: Definitely had a coffee taste to it. Would not get it again.
Fig and Balsamic: Not my taste.
Mango Chile and Lime: The mango flavor blasted very other flavor away.
What wasn't pictured:
macaroon (7/10): I had (i saw people take away plates full of macaroons)..It was okay, but not a person that craves macaroons.
ribeye lollipop (7.5/10): Mine was a tad too tough. maybe because the slice didn't come from the middle.
Wrapup:
I can see why this is considered the best buffet. I would rank this ahead of Wicked Spoon, Wynn, Bellagio, and the Sunday brunch buffet at Bally's. The cost is on the very high end, but I think the quality of the offering and the variety is worth the price. Next time less variety, and definitely less dessert.
Extra pics:
pics of the carving station:
