Prudential Center Club Seats – The Art of the Buffet

I’ve had my fair share of seats around the Prudential Center; Section 106, Section 2 and I was fortunate enough to spend last season’s Playoff and Final games in a luxury box, but I have yet to sit in a club seat, until now. This was going to be a new experience and I was thrilled; excited to see the game from this vantage point, have access to the Fire Lounge and last but not least, check-out the buffet. To make the most of my ticket price, I got there right when the doors open and staked claim to a seat right at the bar.

Here were the food stations for the game I attended:

• Salad Bar
• Sushi & Rolls
• Prime Rib
• Sausage & Peppers
• Hot food items such as Meat, Chicken, Fish, Vegetables, Potatoes
• Pasta station
• Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Fingers and French Fries
• Pizza
• Dessert
• Coffee

There are certain key strategies to make the most of this prized ticket, and there is no better reference point than from the greatest classic of military history, “The Art of War.” A 13 section guide to war strategies it rightfully applies for it does take planning to maximize and conquer both eating, drinking and watching our Devils. It is also fitting since we are the Devils Army.

Rule #1: Initial Estimations/Plan of Attack
This one is obvious, but there’s nothing worse than getting to the end of the buffet line, and having to balance a nice piece of Prime Rib on top of a pile of iceberg lettuce and industrial ranch dressing. Do not feel awkward about cruising the entire layout before you pick up a plate.

Rule #2: Waging War
The Sushi Station is one the busiest. Load up on it early because you will not see it after the 1st Period. If you have never had sushi or a roll, now is the perfect time to try it. You do not have to pay the check for something you did not care for.

Rule #3: Positioning
Hopefully you have a seat at the bar or one of the tables for they fill up quickly. Take turns with a partner to save your seat and learn your bartender’s name so the ingestion of food and drinks are seamless.

Rule #4: Maneuvering/Portion Control
You can always go back and get more of something that you liked, so start with a small sample, and do not over-commit to any one dish. This will allow you to try a broader range of foods, and reduce waste of those that you do not like as much as you predicted. Do not waste your time at the salad bar. Unless you are on a diet do not take up valuable real estate in your stomach for lettuce.

Rule #5: Variation of Tactics/Be Brave
You will eat over 1,000 meals in a year, but most of them are comprised of a main course and a couple of sides. A buffet is one of the few opportunities to try all kinds of new stuff. You just never know what will be good. Branch out of your established culinary repertoire and explore what’s out there. Go ahead, try the Potato Crusted Cod with Herb Remoulade. I genuinely enjoyed this dish.

Rule #6: Situational Positioning/Eating during Intermissions
Most of the hot foods are gone by the second intermission, and the dessert and coffee stations are packed. Make sure you get your fill on all the foods you wanted to eat early because you will be left with a chocolate chip cookie. Also note, many of the best desserts are long gone.

Rule #7: Collateral Damage
Most of the previous rules have been geared toward delivering massive quantities of pizza and chicken fingers. One aspect of the buffet experience that is often overlooked is the feeling you are left with after the meal. Depending on how your digestive system works, this might represent a bloated feeling for an hour, or a groggy feeling for the next 24. The beauty is that no one will look at you with open contempt. The choices are yours my friends.

Happy Hockey everyone and Let’s go Devils!