YOU know you’re on to a winner when you have to queue to eat in a restaurant.
As a fan of the other Jimmy Chung’s eateries that have sprung up in Aberdeen over recent years, I couldn’t wait to sample the delights of the latest branch of the Chinese buffet restaurant that has built its empire on the concept of “eat all you can”.
So what’s a girl to do when one opens on her doorstep? I simply had to give it a try.
But first, I had a job on my hands ... trying to convince my health-conscious other half to join me, my treat. At £9.99 how could it not be?
He was reluctant, but a few please, pleases seemed to work the trick, and he eventually gave in.
So off we trotted.
As we joined the queue at the door David was ready to do an about turn – but because there was only the two of us we were ushered into the restaurant by an efficient waiter.
The first thing that struck me was how this one, in comparison to the others, feels like an American diner.
Light and airy with plenty of intimate dining booths, and all the chitter-chatter added to its laid-back vibe.
Without further ado we headed to the buffet station.
As usual it had all the traditional Chinese starter dishes you’d expect like barbecue spare ribs, chicken satay, those yummy sesame prawns on toast, chicken and sweetcorn soup, and even crispy aromatic duck – but where were they hiding the seaweed – my favourite?
A quick check with a friendly waitress revealed it isn’t on the menu ... apparently because it isn’t in demand! I beg to differ, but I conceded I could be in the minority.
Regardless, the ribs were melt-in-the mouth delicious, and the prawns on toast were simply divine. David also enjoyed his dish of chicken satay.
With empty plates, a bottle of the house red for under £12 to clear our palates, we went to check out the main dishes.
There was so much to choose from, but only one dish interested me – the plump, in-the-shell mussels in black bean sauce.
My hubby said his dish of noodles, vegetables and chicken was “fine”.
He also managed to leave some room for a dessert of banana fritters, minus the batter, with ice-cream.
As I began to settle the bill, raving about how cheap it was, I failed to notice the bill of £33,433.83!
Fortunately the waiter sorted it quickly and harmony was restored.