Al Fresco Restaurant Review

Debating the Buffet

I've struggled for many years to understand the appeal of buffet dining. Some exceptionally poor experiences at mass-feeding-ground restaurants have led me to comprehensively rule out food quality as a reason for choosing a buffet meal over an a la carte meal. Value for money has also suffered from my scepticism based upon analysis of the actual amount of food consumed by the average diner at a buffet restaurant compared with set meals. I also theorised about the freedom of selecting whatever morsel of food looked tastier than another as an alluring factor, but alas, this too failed. It seemed the inconvenience of getting up from the dining table counteracted this argument.

Last Sunday, while it was uncharacteristically raining and cold in Cairns, I went to the Al Fresco Restaurant at The Radisson Hotel for a buffet meal with my family. I had heard about the high standards at this restaurant, but being a buffet I was uneasy. Looking back on the dining experience, my edginess dissipated as soon as I sat down at the table. I didn't realise it at the time, but this fantastic Cairns buffet restaurant inspired me with gastronomic delights and I made a startling discovery. The real reason people go to good buffet restaurants (I'm not talking about the mass-produced type here, but good-food restaurants) is to solve the world's problems. Sounds strange, I know, but this is my conclusion.

A good buffet restaurant is a prime environment to consider federally funded dental insurance, solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and discover hidden weapons of mass destruction whether they exist or not. During my meal, my father and I created business plans and takeover bids, voted for the next prime minister of Australia, and redesigned the Cairns esplanade development. To defuse between each topic, we ventured to the buffet tables and got some private space to ourselves.

Incidentally, I also tried the food while I was at Al Fresco Restaurant. (Therein lies the trick of the buffet! The conversation is so good you forget about the food.) The buffet at Al Fresco is the highest standard I have ever experienced. On that Sunday afternoon, a full selection of cheeses, meats, seafood, breads, dips, pastas, vegetables and desserts was stylishly presented and cooked to a standard I expected from an a la carte meal. There was even an all day breakfast section, so as I debated the future of the pork industry I helped it along by gulping a hefty serving of bacon.

King prawns and Balmain bugs, chilled on ice, were fresh and laden with flavour. I flirted with small soft bread rolls, sampled blue-vein cheese, and then tucked into tender roasted lamb. Two servings of chocolate mousse received my attention, and then fried mushrooms and baked cauliflower caught my eye. I had no time for proper culinary order; I just ate to my heart's content like I did when I was 5 years old.

The staff at Al Fresco are warm and friendly, and although they don't bring meals to the table they are glad to assist whenever necessary. Drinks never run dry. For anyone wanting a great restaurant where they can relax in a quiet environment, feel comfortable enough to debate issues of worldly importance, and eat in whatever order you fancy, Al Fresco at The Radisson is an ideal choice.

- Diner Diller

Al Fresco Restaurant	Cairns Esplanade
Al Fresco at The Cairns Radisson is open all day for a la carte or buffet dining. The restaurant has a wonderful all-day-breakfast section, and the buffet food is always fresh and high in quality. A very relaxing atmosphere makes Al Fresco Restaurant an ideal place to un-wind from stress, enjoy a meal with family and friends, or just step out of the rat race for a while. Highly recommended.
cuisines: Contemporary features: A la carte, Amex, Bankcard, Buffet, BYO, Diners Club, Family Friendly, Hotel, Mastercard, Restaurant, Visa review: Debating the Buffet (6/7/2003) contact: (07) 40311411 | The Radisson at the Pier Marketplace
Mini Reviews
christine	27th Jan 2004
awesome!
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