Last November, to usher in the festive season, Robinsons Antipolo invited the media to experience carefully selected dishes from each of its tenants, presenting a diverse range of cuisine. The event, playfully called "Buffeast" (a wordplay on buffet and east), was an extensive buffet arranged near the mall's Christmas tree.
The expansive entrance space of the mall was transformed into a Christmas Wonderland filled with food and drinks.
Chatting with Roseann Villegas, Robinsons Land Corp. Director for Corporate Public Relations, told Manila Bulletin that the event was meant to highlight the potential of the mall as a foodie destination in the east. Additionally, it aimed to trumpet the new mall extension where the celebration was held.
"With the new mall extension, we now have more than 400 partners here in the mall," Roseann said. "We also want to highlight the fact that we have homegrown restaurants here, that you all had the chance to try a while ago."
Roseann then explained how Robinsons Malls envision themselves as food destinations, places where friends and family can meet, gather, celebrate, and have fun. She mentioned, "You'll notice it with our other malls like Robinsons Magnolia and Galleria. There are lots of places to eat."
Its new expansion doubled the mall’s floor area. The architects and designers considered the verdant surroundings and opted for a modern tropical look with open spaces, saying, "We blend in with the space where we are."
From 200 mall partners when it first opened, it now accommodates Eat Street, four new digital cinemas, a Lingkod Pinoy Center, and over a hundred new stores and restaurants.
Noteworthy participants comprised popular establishments such as popular Japanese joints Botejyu and Ramen Nagi.
There were drinks from BLK 513, Serenitea, Tiger Sugar, and Teresita's by Razon's.
There was also grub from Manam, Tong Yang, Nono’s, Prime Steakhouse, Mary Grace, JCO, Peri Peri, Shakey’s, Ineng’s BBQ, Hapchan, Gerry’s Grill, and Classic Savory.
Furthermore, the occasion highlighted the integration of local Antipolo favorites into the mall. Notably, Romeo's showcased Filipino dishes, Marisons presented modern interpretations of Pinoy cuisine, and Theo and Miguel featured Asian fusion dishes.
