NIU Vikings SM Aura: My Early Mother's Day Date with Wife, Prime Rib & Endless Feasts
I did not wait for the official day. I saw the calendar, I saw the crowds coming, and I made a call: let us celebrate early. Just me and my wife, Shealla. No reservations chaos, no packed restaurant stress, no rushing through courses because the next seating is waiting. I booked a quiet Saturday afternoon at NIU Vikings SM Aura. Just two seats. One table. Endless plates. And the luxury of time — the real gift I wanted to give her. This is how I celebrated Mother's Day early: slow bites, zero distractions, and a glass raised to the woman who makes everything else feel lighter.
👑 OG TABLE: Two Chairs, One Perfect Afternoon
I walked in and immediately scanned for the quietest corner. Not because I am shy — because I wanted her to relax. I pulled out her chair. She sat, exhaled, and finally dropped the "mom mode" shoulders. That exhale was the whole point of the day.
I looked at the buffet line stretching across the room. Seafood on ice. Meats sizzling. Desserts lined up like a pastry shop. I knew I had to pace myself. Not for my stomach — for the conversation. I wanted to stay seated across from her, talking, laughing, just being present. No phones. No rush. Just food and the woman who deserves all the good things.
🍗 OG ROASTED: Golden Chicken I Saved for Her First
I hit the roast station first. The chicken sat there with that perfect golden-brown skin, glistening under warm lights, topped with a sprig of rosemary like it knew it was special. I carved a piece, watched the juices run, and placed it on her plate before I even touched my own.
She took a bite, closed her eyes for a second, and nodded. "Crispy," she said. That one word told me I picked right. I sat back, sipped my water, and just watched her eat. Sometimes celebration is not about the feast. It is about watching someone you love enjoy it.
🥩 OG PRIME: The Cut That Made Me Stop Mid-Sentence
Then I saw the prime rib. Massive. Crusted. Resting next to roasted corn and peppers like it owned the room. I grabbed a slice. It was tender enough to cut with a fork, juicy enough to make me forget I was in a buffet and not a steakhouse. I put it on my plate, took a bite, and actually stopped talking mid-sentence.
Shealla laughed. "Speechless?" she asked. I just nodded. Some food does not need commentary. It just needs to be eaten slowly, with good company, and zero distractions. This was one of those slices.
🍢 OG SKEWERS: Filipino Comfort I Could Not Skip
I swung by the local favorites next. Skewers lined up on banana leaves, glazed and slightly charred, topped with sliced chilies and spring onions. I grabbed a mix — pork, chicken, maybe a beef strip — and brought them back to our table.
I handed her the first skewer. She pulled the meat off with her teeth, smiled, and said, "Ang sarap." I knew then that Vikings nailed the balance. International spread, yes. But they did not forget the local soul. I ate three in a row. No regrets.
OG TOAST: Just to Her
Midway through the meal, I poured a glass of red wine. Deep, smooth, the kind I save for moments that actually matter. I raised it across the table. Not to a crowd. Just to her.
To my wife, Shealla: Thank you. For the early mornings, the late nights, the patience when I forget, the strength when I lean on you, and the quiet way you hold our family together. You make motherhood look graceful, even when it is exhausting. I see you. I appreciate you. Today was for you. Happy Mother's Day, mahal.
We clinked glasses. The wine was perfect. The moment was quiet. And for once, I did not need to say anything else.
🥘 OG COMFORT: Creamy Dishes That Felt Like Home
I finished the savory rounds with a creamy chicken dish swimming in a light white sauce, topped with fresh herbs. It was not fancy. It was not Instagram-worthy. It was just warm, comforting, and exactly what I needed after the heavy cuts.
I spooned some over rice, handed a bite to Shealla, and watched her nod again. I realized then that I did not need a five-course tasting menu. I just needed good food, a quiet table, and the right person across from me. Everything else was just bonus.
🍮 OG NOSTALGIA: Bibingka & Puto Bumbong That Took Me Home
I saved the best for last. Not because I was full — I was far from it. Because these two desserts are not just food to me. They are memories. Bibingka and Puto Bumbong — the dynamic duo of Filipino holiday seasons, Christmas mornings, and childhood joy. Seeing them at the Vikings dessert station hit different.
I grabbed the bibingka first — that golden rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, topped with grated coconut that melts into the warm surface. Then the puto bumbong — deep purple, sticky, wrapped in its signature leaf, dusted with coconut and sugar. I held both plates like they were treasures. Because to me, they are.
I took a bite of the bibingka. Warm. Sweet. Slightly chewy. And suddenly I was eight years old again, waiting in line at the church plaza after Simbang Gabi, holding a small plate with both desserts, my fingers sticky with coconut, my heart full of that specific kind of holiday happiness.
I looked at Shealla. "This is it," I said. "This is the taste of home." She took a bite of the puto bumbong, nodded, and understood. Vikings could have imported French pastries, Italian gelato, American cheesecakes — and they do have those. But these two? These are the ones that matter. These are the ones that bring me back.
I finished both plates. Slowly. Savoring every bite. Not just because they were delicious — because they were a reminder. Of simpler times. Of family gatherings. Of a childhood where the biggest worry was whether there would be enough bibingka to go around. (There always was.)
This is why I keep coming back to Vikings. Not just for the prime rib. Not just for the endless spread. But for moments like this — when a plate of purple rice cake transports me back to who I was before life got complicated. And for an afternoon, I got to be that kid again. Just for a bite.
📍 OG LOCATION: Exact Address & Pin
Exact Address: 6th Floor, SM Aura Premier, McKinley Pkwy, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila
Google Maps: Click here for directions to NIU Vikings SM Aura
OG Tip: Enter SM Aura Premier, head to the main atrium elevators, go straight to 6th floor. Look for the NIU Vikings signage — it is hard to miss. Book ahead via their website or Viber for faster seating.
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (daily)
Price Range: 1600++ (Premium buffet, worth it for date nights & celebrations)
Payment: Cash, credit cards, e-wallets accepted
✨ OG VERDICT
NIU Vikings SM Aura gave me exactly what I wanted today: a quiet early celebration with my wife, endless food that actually tasted good, and space to breathe without checking the clock. The prime rib alone justifies the trip. The roasted chicken is crowd-pleasing. The skewers bring local comfort. The desserts are dangerous. But the real win? Sitting across from Shealla, no distractions, just gratitude.
Would I come back? Already planning the next date night. Not for the buffet. For the table, the conversation, and the woman who makes every meal feel like a celebration.
Quick Tips:
- Reserve early — weekend and holiday seats disappear fast
- Pace yourself — start with prime rib & seafood, save carbs for later
- Grab the skewers — local flavors hit different here
- Leave room for dessert — the chocolate fountain is worth the walk
- Dress smart casual — no slippers, sleeveless shirts for men
- Bring your heart, not just your appetite — this place is better with someone you love across the table
#NIUVikings #TravelOG #MothersDay2026 #SMaura #BGC #DateNightDining #TaguigEats #ManilaFood
💌 OG MESSAGE: To My Wife
To my wife, Shealla: Thank you for today. Thank you for every day. You are the reason this blog exists, the reason I keep moving, and the reason I still believe in quiet celebrations over loud parties. Happy Mother's Day. You are enough.
Today was for you. Tomorrow, I cook. 💝