JOIN USBustling with noises from left, right and centre, the ultimate destination for chicken lovers was quite abuzz on the very first day of its operations at a new location. In the heart of the city, Connaught Place, Nando’s is making its presence felt among foodies.
As Metrolife embarks on a chicken tour, the thought of peri-peri (brought to India by the Portuguese) tantalises the brain waves. Soon the sauce in its different varieties lands on the table and the glistening glass bottles widens the smile on face. One can try different permutations and combinations of the Extra Hot, Hot, Mild and Lemon and Herb Peri-Peri sauces.
The first, foremost and most important is to not to miss the lavish Espetada Carnival. The dish makes its arrival on the table in an unusual avatar with chicken pieces hanging from a skewer hung in a huge hook. Caressing the pieces down the skewer, one places them on the plate and then inside mouth to realise that the tender chicken is stuffed with garlic flavoured feta cheese. A garnish of parsley makes for a visual treat as one slits through the piece to unravel the mystery behind the gooey taste.
Its taste lingers in the mouth since quite some time and one reads about the history of this chain that originated in South Africa with an Afro-Portuguese theme and Mozambican influence. The portion of chicken served is quite explicable thus!
Even when tried with the same Hot Peri-Peri, the Butterfly Chicken Breast and Regular Sides of Chicken fail to compete with the carnival at any stage. A gulp of the ‘Designer Drinks’ thus becomes essential. To make a note, the place has options aplenty for those who like pomegranate in their glass. Madeira Red and Poncha Zurra are two such options. While the former tastes more or less like a cough syrup, the cinnamon flavoured apples in the latter enhance its taste.
Chicken Liver and Portuguese Roll is quite authentic as far as the recipe is concerned but too heavy to relish. Similarly, the Moroccan Butternut and Grilled Peppers with Chicken Fillet taste bland inside the pita.
When accompanying carnivorous friends, a vegetarian needn’t worry for there is enough in the menu to be tried. But nothing worthwhile to boast about except the evergreen Corn on the Cob. Be it the Paneer Cataplana Algarve or a vegetarian burger (with a McCain patty), it’s all quite average. The former comprises rice, paneer, chickpea and
bell pepper, which taste bland. However, the cottage cheese used in this is grilled better that the one used in
Paneer Kebab.
The Portuguese Salad served (at the end, surprisingly) is too cold to be relished. So one can consume only the (fresh) Coleslaw or the Creamy Cheese Cake - with a caramel coating on top of a not-so-palatable base. Take your pick!