JJ’s Restaurant does lunch buffet for one day out of the month. Usually, they have a 3 course lunch menu for $23 or a la carte options. I’ve dined many times at JJ’s Restaurant as well as VCC’s other dining options like their Bistro, Cafeteria, and their Chef’s Table.
Buffet dates for 2019:
- April 25
- May 23
- June 20
- July 25
- August 22
- September 19
- October 17
- November 14
- December 12
(Dates may change, so please visit JJ’s Restaurant website for up to date information.)
Reservations
When we heard about their lunch buffet during the weekday, we looked on their website to see when would be the next available date and booked a reservation through OpenTable. Without reservations, you may not be able to get a seat for your party. Usually their lunch buffet does get filled up in advance. I put in a reservation for 3 adults and a baby in a stroller.
Price
It is $27 per person, plus taxes, beverages and gratuities not included. Not a bad price for Downtown Vancouver. Plus, you’re supporting future chefs and the culinary program at VCC.
Interior
The space has a good amount of tables and since reservations are needed ahead of time, they make sure to set up the dining area based on the reservations.
Drink Menu
Drinks are extra, but here are some of your options. They also have special cocktails and mocktails available for purchase.
Hot Food Area
The hot food area has a big bread basket, roasted potatoes, vegetables, chicken & eggplant, salmon with cream of leek, and duck with sausage. Six items in this area isn’t too bad.
I liked how there were a good amount of protein. It’s best to start your buffet experience here to really get in on all the different proteins and vegetables. Of the items in the area, I did enjoy the chicken and the duck.
Do note that this area does start closing down around 1pm while the other stations are still open.
Prime Rib Station
At the end of the hot food section is the prime rib carving station with gravy, mustard and horseradish. Always a popular spot because who doesn’t love prime rib.
Salad and Seafood Bar
The salad bar has a few varieties of salad from fennel salad to golden beets.
On the same table are also smoked salmon bites as well as a seafood platter. The seafood does go really quick and is usually the first item that disappears. Hard to resist shrimp, scallops and tuna.
Bao Bar
There is a station where freshly made baos are prepared right in front of you. You can choose between lean or fatty pork shoulder. Its a great idea but was pretty mediocre tasting.
Banana Foster Station
The banana foster station makes it all to order, so you have to wait a little bit before its ready. You can watch the students prepare it in front of your eyes. It is a cooked banana in brown sugar and cinnamon served with whipped cream.
Lamb Rack Station
You can get as many rack of lambs as you would like. All smothered in au jus too.
Dessert Table
There are 2 dessert tables with a good assortment of items from chocolate flavours, citrus flavours, mousses and a lot of cakes.
It was an adventure trying to taste everything, so our table just grabbed a bunch and nibbled on it all.
There’s also a lot of fruit too. Classic and it’s not a buffet without fruit. They even have an intricately carved watermelon too but no one touched it because its so pretty.
Final Thoughts
For $27 before taxes and tip, it’s a very good deal for a buffet in Downtown Vancouver. There are lots of items in the buffet and you will definitely leave full. Some items are a hit and miss, but their strongest areas were in their meats, salads and desserts.
We enjoyed ourselves and the staff and students were all very nice. As it is a learning environment, have patience with the students and they are trying to do their best. We found that a lot of them were very nervous and shy.
Website:
https://www.vcc.ca/services/eat-shop–more/jjs-restaurant/
Address:
3rd floor – Vancouver Community College (Downtown)
250 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC
