Jimmy's Restaurant & Bar

restaurant — Merivale · Christchurch

About Jimmy's Restaurant & Bar

Jimmy's Restaurant & Bar is the family-run restaurant of the Pavilions Hotel on Papanui Road in Christchurch. Named after the proprietor's father and owned and operated by the Horncastle family, it serves an 'exquisite New Zealand menu' that pairs the freshest seasonal produce with adopted cultural influences — a nod, its owners say, to a time when food was honest and locally farmed.

The setting leans into that heritage: 'Kiwi-ana' artefacts collected over three generations from the North and South Islands are on display throughout the property, and guests can dine in the courtyard surrounded by the collection or in the restaurant beneath its al fresco terrace, with regional wine and professional service alongside.

Mornings bring a continental spread plus a cooked buffet, with sittings on weekday and weekend timetables. Dinner runs nightly from 5.30pm to 9pm, taking in generous starters, a Canterbury grill where you choose your own side and sauce, South Island classics like braised Otago lamb shoulder, and desserts from crème brûlée to a salted caramel fondant. The Courtyard & Bar keeps its own rhythm — open 24 hours with a snack menu around the clock and a bar menu from 3pm to 9.30pm — and a two-course kids' menu caters for under-12s.

Signature items

  • Canterbury Sirloin
  • Slow Braised Otago Lamb Shoulder
  • Stewart Island Herb Crusted Blue Cod
  • Crispy Karaage Chicken
  • Smoked Beef Brisket, Bacon and Mushroom Pie
  • Chocolate Salted Caramel Fondant

Menu

Grill

  • Canterbury Sirloin 250g — Local sirloin served with your choice of side and sauce.
  • Canterbury Rib Eye 300g — Local rib eye served with your choice of side and sauce.
  • Crispy Pork Belly (Add-On) — Optional extra to add to any steak off the grill.

Mains

  • Roasted Cauliflower, Mushroom, Quinoa and Hazelnut Salad — Vegan main served with roti bread and caramelised onion hummus.
  • Pork Parma Schnitzel — Dairy-free, with tomato and basil sugo, buffalo mozzarella, watercress salad and fries.
  • Chef's Special of the Day — A daily-changing plate from the kitchen.
  • Smoked Beef Brisket, Bacon and Mushroom Pie — With creamy truffle mash and toasted almond broccolini.
  • Slow Braised Otago Lamb Shoulder — Gluten-free, with sweet potato and butternut squash risotto, parsley, garlic and lemon.
  • Stewart Island Herb Crusted Blue Cod — With creamy mash, seasonal greens and tomato shallot dressing.

Sides

  • Two Fried Eggs — Gluten-free and dairy-free egg add-on.
  • Garlic Bread — Warm, buttery and garlicky.
  • Pear, Parmesan and Walnut Salad — Gluten-free leafy side.
  • Seasonal Vegetables — Gluten-free market vegetables.
  • Roasted Mushrooms — Gluten-free savoury side.
  • Battered Onion Rings — Crispy golden rings.
  • Steak Cut Fries — Dairy-free thick-cut fries, also a grill side option.
  • Wedges with Sour Cream and Sweet Chilli — Crisp wedges with two dips.

Desserts

  • Apple Tart — With candied walnuts and vanilla ice cream.
  • Winter Spiced Crème Brûlée — Gluten-free, served with mulled wine poached pears.
  • Chocolate Salted Caramel Fondant — Gluten-free warm fondant with macadamia nut ice cream.
  • Cheese Platter — Choice of two or three cheeses — Kahurangi Blue, Whitestone Brie and Harvati — with pear chutney, walnuts and crackers.
  • Affogato with Liqueur — Gluten-free espresso-and-ice-cream finish.
  • Mango Sorbet — Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream — Gluten-free, with caramel or chocolate sauce.
  • Bailey's Hot Chocolate — A grown-up warm drink to finish.

Starters

  • Warm Marinated Olives — Vegan and gluten-free bowl of olives, warmed and marinated.
  • Soup of the Day — Rotating daily soup served with house bread.
  • Prawns with Chorizo in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce — Gluten-free, with a cucumber and radish sesame salad.
  • Honey, Rosemary and Walnut Baked Brie Cheese — With fig and pear chutney and bread croutons.
  • Crispy Karaage Chicken — Dairy-free Japanese-style fried chicken with soy, ginger and chilli sauce and pickled veg.
  • Pork and Duck Rillette — Dairy-free, with pickled red onions, cornichons and whole grain mustard.

Beverages

  • Barista Hot Drinks — Flat white, cappuccino, macchiato, short or long black, chai latte, mochaccino or hot chocolate.
  • Filter Coffee & Tea — Freshly brewed filter coffee, a selection of teas and chilled fruit juices, served with breakfast.

Breakfast

  • Continental Breakfast — Seasonal fruit and compotes, cereals, yoghurt, toasted breads, fresh baked croissants and danish pastries, with filter coffee, teas and chilled juices.
  • Cooked Buffet Breakfast — The continental selection plus crispy bacon, sausages, hash browns, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, creamy mushrooms and scrambled or poached eggs.

Light Mains

  • Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Burger — Asian slaw, sweet chilli jam, aioli and fries.
  • Bacon and Mushroom Tagliatelle Pasta — Carbonara-style pasta.
  • Fish and Chips — Dairy-free beer battered market fish with tartare sauce, salad and fries.

Grill Sides & Sauces

  • Potato Wedges — Golden wedges, one of the grill's choice of sides.
  • Crispy Paprika Potatoes — Gluten-free and dairy-free spiced potatoes.
  • Creamy Mash — Gluten-free buttery mash.
  • Mushroom and Garlic Sauce — Gluten-free sauce for your steak.
  • Peppercorn Sauce — Gluten-free classic creamy peppercorn.
  • Red Wine Jus — Gluten-free and dairy-free jus.
  • Garlic Butter — Melting garlic butter for the grill.

Kids (Under 12s, Two Courses)

  • Crispy Chicken Burger and Chips — Dairy-free kids' favourite.
  • Fish and Chips — Dairy-free, with tomato sauce.
  • Sausages and Mash — Gluten-free, served with gravy.
  • Tagliatelle Bolognese Pasta — A mini version of the Italian classic.
  • Ice Cream Sundae — Gluten-free, with a choice of chocolate or caramel.
  • Profiterole — Served with ice cream and chocolate.