Cafe Mix - The Rocks, Sydney

Cafe Mix of the Shangri-La Hotel used to be one of my favourite buffet haunts but since the hotel changed from ANA Hotel to Shangri-La Hotel, the quality of the food had gone downhill. It has been too long a time since my last visit so it was a very reminiscing experience to once again dine here. Using the a bunch of We Love Sydney cards a group of us were able to eat at half price! What a bargain! Another reason why it was worth it to come eat here, because normally it would not be really worth it in my opinion.

Hotels are very good at displaying the better cars outside to "show off" and I was lucky enough to spot a few good ones hee hee

Cafe Mix may be on the 1st floor but Altitude and Blu Horizon Bar have an astounding and breath-taking of the view of the city, espically at nighttime, on level 36

Pretty drop-shaped lights in the lobby (would be better if I waited til dark to take it)

These balls were also very pretty and they still had a tree up wheeee. They also had a duo on the piano and guitar playing sweet and soft loungy/chill music which is perfect when you are just sitting and having a drink in cushy seats.

Chandeliar leading down to the foyer

I really like this piece so swirly and curvy (haha yes I am pro at using arty words... -___-)

The wall leading to the entrance, very nicely done :)

Cafe Mix is called thus, due to the variety of cuisine stations which provides a mixture of flavours around the world.

Since we are here for the buffet we dig right in... Here Comes the Food!

The first island you see is the exquisite dessert island but I shall talk more about that later ;)

DIY salad bar
I tend to start buffets with a plate of fresh greens like baby spinach and rocket so I don't feel so bad about all the nutrient-free foods I'll be eating later hee hee.

Oysters
There were oysters ready to be shucked out of their shells and into our mouths nom nom. They seemed reasonably fresh and tasty with only a squirt of lemon juice required. Next to these oysters were the antipastos of olives, tomatoes and other goodies.

Prawns
This is where I hope to eat my money's worth! Accompanied by thousand island dressing I should have kept hitting this bar instead of the others haha.

Us being typical asian hee hee

Me being... me ^^!

Moving onto the hot food, this is where Cafe Mix fails to impress me :(

Western Mix

Roast Potatoes with Sage and Pasta with Bolinas Sauce
The potatoes were mediocre, nothing special, and the pasta was actually not as bad as I thought it would be but since it was pasta (and carbs are filling) I decided not to have too much of it.

Steamed Snapper with Coriander Sauce and Roast Pork with Apple Jus
I did not try the snapper because I am not too fond of the head and I forgot to get it later on haha and the pork was too tough so disappointing. The apple jus was pleasant though, with a tinge of sweetness.

Japan Mix
Fresh selection of nigiri, though I would prefer sashimi as you won't fill up on rice but I think almost everyone just ate the fish and left the rice anyway :S There were also miso soup and a mushroom soup next to this station which were not bad.

China Mix
A selection of dumplings and typical chinese dishes were on hand. I try not to eat too much chinese at a buffet because I have lots of chinese food elsewhere haha.

India Mix
Curries and naan were what I was aiming for. There was a lamb curry which was pretty tasty but not strong enough in the spice depatment. The naan was light and fluffy and ended up eating more than I should have.

Random plate
Now onto dessert island whheeee!

Milk and dark chocolate fountains on either end and a wide selection of cakes, jellies, pastries, tarts and brulee in between ^^! There is also ice cream on one end so you could make your own combination of desserts yum!

So much yum!

Random dessert shot
I must say, the creme brulee is probably the best dessert there so it is worth it to fight or ask for it haha. The chocolate fountains are also very fun and I admit... I dropped a marshmallow into the dark one haha.

To summarize once again, if you love prawns and oysters and desserts then this is the sort of place for you! Remember to prepare youself for a good stuffing of food and wear some baggy pants hee hee.

Other Hotel buffets:
Corn Exchange Restaurant at Four Points Sheraton - Sydney CBD, Sydney


Cafe Mix
Level 1, Shangri-La Hotel
176 Cumberland Street
The Rocks, 2000

FFichiban