One of a pair of international buffets (the other is in Wimbledon), Jimmy’s at the 02 offers something for pretty much everyone, with culinary options including food inspired by Italy, China, India, Mexico, Japan, the USA and, just in case you’d forgotten where you are, the good old United Kingdom.
The idea is that you’re shown to your table, order drinks and then decide which buffet you want to hit first. Jimmy’s describes itself as ‘an unlimited food feast concept’ so if you come with an appetite, you could eat your way around the globe.
Kick off with onion bhaji, vegetable spring rolls or samosas, fish pakora, or chicken wings and nuggets before moving on to the main event. There are curries and stir-fries from Asia (Chinese chicken, Thai squid, Szechuan babycorn and mushroom), crab and salmon sushi from Japan, pizzas from Italy (margherita, chicken, vegetable), piri-piri chicken or potato wedges from the States and DIY Mexican wraps with fillings such as chili con carne, guacamole, jalapeno peppers and sour cream.
Indian street food feels most in keeping with the buffet concept, however, with chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh and chicken biryani for meat eaters, fish in tomato gravy, or paana puri, channa chaat, bhel puri and mutter paneer for veggies.
If buffets aren’t really your bag, noodle stir-fries and pastas are cooked to order at live cooking stations, as too steak in the evenings.
Kid-focused dishes include pizza, pasta, chips, noodles, ice cream and a chocolate fountain; not food to eat every day perhaps, but just the ticket as a treat before an event.
To drink, there are fun cocktails such as the Mojito, Woo Woo, Blue Lagoon, Pina Colada and Long Island Iced Tea served by the glass or pitcher, and fruity booze-free cocktails for kids and designated drivers. If your tastes aren’t quite so sweet, there are four f red and white wines each, Prosecco and Champagne for celebrations and big-name beer brands by the bottle.