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MANILA -- High-end food courts seem to be a new trend with air-conditioned centers of good eats opening up one after the other in the metro's central business districts. These are the next logical evolution to the short-lived food park.

The Alley by buffet specialist Viking’s may look like one of these glitzy food halls with one major difference – once you pay the price of admission, it’s an all-you-eat and all-you-can-drink fiesta.

To think of this as a dressed-up Viking’s buffet is totally doing a disservice to The Alley. First, the 14 stalls inside the food hall have a lot of offerings that are not available at the Viking’s and its more premiere sibling, Niu.

Second, a lot of thinking went into building the concepts and the dining experience. The Alley is built like a food village where guests are encouraged to explore the different streets and alleys looking for what they want, perhaps finding places to take selfies and pictures. There are food items that you can find only if you roam around like the “dirty” ice cream cart, a taho vendor, and a bibingka stall.

Here are the stalls and goodies you can find at the recently opened Bonifacio High Street Central branch of The Alley by Viking’s.

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1. Nords Coffee Bar

The first thing you’ll see when you enter is Nords Coffee Bar. Unlike the other concepts in the hall, this can be found is stand-alone locations (like in SM North Edsa). Have coffee, lattes, flat whites, capuccinos as well as cakes and pastries while waiting for your dining mates or afterwards to enjoy dessert.

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2. Kegz

If you want to wind down after your meal, Kegz is a full-fledged bar inside The Alley. At the side are dispensers for different bottomless agua frescas and and iced tea. Kegz alone is worth the price of admission. Think of it as an open bar for beer and cocktails. The bartenders make refereshing margaritas, mai tais, and tequila sunrises which they can make virgin upon request. If you want something stronger, there’s an additional charge for whiskey and wine.

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3. Antipasto Blvd.

If the traditional Viking's buffet can be likened to 5-star hotel buffet spread, the first stop is always the appetizers. In The Alley, the first stop is here at Antipasto Blvd. Start out with the vegetable and fruit salad bars. Check out the cold cuts, fritatas, and other small bites before proceeding elsewhere.

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4. Yatai

While Yatai in Japanese means “small food stall,” the Japanese section is anything but tiny, having its own dedicated seating area. Yatai is divided into two stalls: one for maki, sushi, and sashimi; and the other for the heavier Japanese favorites like yakimeshi rice, tonkatsu, donburi, and tempura. Japanese food fans will not be disappointed.

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5. Hao Chi

Hao Chi is takes you to the back alleys of Hong Kong and Binondo with its menu of Chinese food. Dimsum, mami, and wok-fried entrees on the counter complement the roasts hung out in front of stall.

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6. Street wok

One one side of the back alley is Street Wok, with the flavors and colors of Southeast Asia on display. Pad Thai from Thailand, curry from Malaysia, and sambal from Indonesia are just some of the strongly spiced entrees here.

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7. Lost & Pound

Lost & Pound is The Alley’s American comfort food mini-diner. Buffalo wings, sliders, nachos, and quesadillas are quick bites off the Lost & Pound griddle.

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8. Just Steak A Minute

It’ll just take a minute for the chefs at this stall to prepare their sizzling specialties. Check out the Asian steak, the pork tenderloin with truffle gravy, and the chimichurri chicken. Everything is cooked as ordered and sizzling hot off the griddle.

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9. O’Sean Eleven

Follow the scent of cooking seafood to The Alley’s Irish pub. The catches of the day at this stall are the fish and chips, and the mussels. Try out the hot Cajun Seafood and Coconut Seafood Boils, too.

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10. La Sap

Think of this as The Alley’s carinderia with lutong bahay. All you have to do is point-point to the pots of kaldereta, adobo, binangoonan, and callos, among others to get your food at La Sap.

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11. Batsoy Frituen

Batsoy Frituen is the home of rich regional specialties from around the Philippines. It’s a nice partner to the home-cooking of La Sap. The batchoy is superb with fatty broth and firm noodles. Other specialties are the bagnet, the kare-kareng bagnet, chicharon bulaklak, and the sisig.

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12. Buono

Buono can actually be thought of as the carving station of The Alley with different meats as the centerpiece. Roast turkey, chicken, lamb, and beef with different sauces and gravy paired with roast potatoes and truffle risotto is an excellent main course.

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13. New York Pizza

This stall is Italy by way of New York that does double duty as the Alley’s pasta station. It offers New York-style pizza, lasagna, calzone and pastas. If you can’t find what you want, New York Pizza’s chefs will gladly make you oil, pesto, cream, or tomato sauced pasta fresh and hot.

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14. Hunneycomb

Hunneycomb is the dessert station with gummies, brownies, blondies and ice cream. This stall’s sweet speciaties are crepes and the Popping Whipped Cheesecake, a scoop of ice cream with cheesecake whipped cream with fruit boba on a bed of crushed graham crackers. Make sure to pass by Hunneycomb if you have a birthday celebrant in your group for a special treat!

The newest branch of The Alley by Viking’s can be found at BHS Central with other branches at UP Town Center and Ayala Cloverleaf. Lunch seating is from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner seating is from 5:30-10 p.m.