Food review: Water Margin at The O2
With the party season getting into full swing there is always the dilemma of where to head for some festive fun without being hit too heavily in the wallet.
One option could be to head over the river to Water Margin, at The O2, for some Christmas fare with a difference, and at a bargain price.
The restaurant launched its seasonal menu this week, and at £10.80 per person for lunch and £16.80 per person for dinner it represents excellent value for money.
Featuring 30 dishes at lunchtime and 60 on the dinner menu there is a staggering selection to choose from, and the best news is you can eat as much as you like.
Manager Alex Tang explained why Water Margin makes an ideal party venue with it's canteen-style layout and bright modern decor.
He said: "We have plenty of space here, we can accommodate up to 260 people, so it's good for parties or families. I think people like what we do, we try to be authentic, and the buffet is particularly popular because it is such great value for money."
There is an a la carte area in the restaurant but if you opt for the belt-busting buffet you won't be disappointed.
The Christmas menu includes some interesting variations on the traditional turkey and you might be pleasantly surprised to find it served up as a stir fry with black bean sauce or stuffed with minced prawn in a special sauce.
But if turkey is too much to contemplate this close to Christmas there are plenty of other options on offer. Water Margin's menu encompasses cuisines including Japanese and Malaysian, with one food well worth checking out being the tepanyaki.
Choose from ingredients including chicken, ham, noodles and vegetables and watch them being expertly cooked on a hotplate. Seasoned with a subtle blend of sauces - the exact combination remains a restaurant secret - makes this a delicious hot meal on a cold winter's day.
With so many dishes on offer there is a tongue-twisting array of flavours to experience. Try the nutty, spicy, chicken satay; the gorgeously tender lamb with ginger and spring onion; or some very good stir fried pak choi.
And you can get into the seasonal spirit with a beer or two. A bottle of Tiger costs £3.20, while a pint of 4X is £3.60. Wine is good value, with a Hardy's Cabernet Merlot weighing in at just £13.80 or a Prosecco at a bargain £18.80.
With The O2 set to be one of the big party venues over Christmas and New year it's well worth heading to Water Margin to get your celebrations started early.
Water Margin
23 Entertainment Avenue
The O2
SE10 0DY
Tel: 020 8858 4510
I felt compelled to write my first restaurant review ever as i was so disappointed with the standard of service and food at The Water Margin. A poor mix of cheap quality chinese food, boiled soggy vegetables and salad on the side to fill the plate. You could tell that the cuts of meat used were cheap and as for the spring rolls, they were straight out of Wing-Yip, but the kind that were £10 for 250. London is full of amazing places to eat where the standard is high. This place served the worst Chinese food i have ever eaten!