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Being the foodie that I am, I regretted not having tasted much of Nando’s previously. The closest I had was a pack of nachos at the cinema. But that’s not the point. The point is, I rarely turn down a free meal. And when the invite came to check out Nando’s latest coop at NEX, I took the offer quite unabashedly. And boy, I must say it was a good start to my mini weekend (Thursday)!
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The highlight of our meal was the Espetada Carnival which consists of the tender flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken thighs generously stuffed with garlic, parsley and feta cheese, skewered in between mixed peppers. The side is the Pumpkin and Grilled Corn, something to sweeten the spice. I also opted for the Spicy Mango Sangria Designer Drink, which I think was a good complement. Being a ‘cheese’ person (but not cheesy definitely), I loved it. Also, I was told that not everyone would be able to taste the spiciness in the mango drink, so I was slightly proud of that achievement (cheap thrill, I know).
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Nando’s fans would probably swear by their Peri-Peri sauce, which ranges from Mild to Extra Hot, or if you like it more exotic, Garlic and Wild Herb. Being the not-so-adventurous sort when it comes to chilli-in-my-tummy, I tried the mild hot Peri-Peri sauce and found that it definitely helped to enhance the taste of the chicken meat. I tasted lemon and garlic, which is indeed a wonderful combination that worked wonders for my tastebuds.
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When I surveyed the eatery, I had an impression that Nando’s has this sort of tribal vibe that I couldn’t quite put across. Well, I guess the background story of how Peri-Peri sauce came about does explain things a little. Moreover, the tantalising story of Peri-Peri flame-grilled chicken started in Rosettenville, South Africa in 1987, when Robert Brozin was invited by his good friend Fernando Duarte to sample this unique Afro-Portuguese style chicken. The two buddies bought the restaurant in a heartbeat, determined to change the way the world thinks about chicken, which remains the cornerstone of the Nando’s mission till today.
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I especially liked the fact that the interior designs of Nando’s outlets have this artsy appeal to them, and I heard each outlet has a unique theme. Indeed, not only is the meal palatable, the eyes get to feast at the same time.
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So yes, would I check back for more gastronomical delights? Definitely. For now though, I’ll leave you to think about your next big meal. I dare you to challenge your mates to up the spicy level in your meal, but count me out on this one. Thank you PERi much.
Available now until 28 June 2014, enjoy the Espetada Carnival with 2 sides at $22.90 or complete the meal with a Spicy Mango Sangria at $25.90. Available at all Nando’s outlets.