Nando's, Shrewsbury

Reviewer's rating ****

re-discovers a happy Iberian experience on her way to the cinema.

A trip to the cinema in Shrewsbury after work prompted the question of where to eat - we wanted somewhere close to the flicks and also where food was served relatively quickly but a little more sophisticated than burgers!

Driving along Old Potts Ways I spotted several food venues close by Cineworld including Nando's - a place specialising in Portugeuse flame grilled Peri-Peri chicken.

Now it was far too long ago to care to remember but on one holiday in Portugal we travelled from the coast up into the hills to a local cafe (and I mean cafe and not tourist restaurant) where the speciality was the spicy Peri-Peric chicken.

It was full of local families enjoying Sunday lunch out and what a meal it was. Juicy chicken spiced up with Peri-Peri served with green salad and lots of crusty bread.

So it was Nando's that got the vote.

It was very early evening and there were not that many people around, which was good for us because it meant even quicker service.

Meet and greet at the door were very very good and we were ushered into a booth, handed the menus and the method of ordering was explained - you choose and go up to the counter to order, pick up your cutlery, sauces and napkins.

We decided to go straight for a main course and went for one of the classic choices - a Full Platter (£18.28).

For this you get a whole chicken and a choice of two large or four regular sides. We went for two regular chips, coleslaw and Macho peas (pea mash with whole peas, parsley, mint and chilli).

Drinks were a Portuguese beer (£3.22) and a bottomless coke (£2.14). We also helped oursleves to ice cold glasses of water.

The food came quickly and what a mountain it was.

Nando's prides itself on using only chicken farmed in the UK and delivered fresh to each restaurant where it is marinaded for 24 hours in Peri Peri sauce. Nothing frozen here.

Each chicken is then grilled to order over an open flame, which also reduces fat content, and basted to your taste to control the spiciness - we went for medium.

No growth-restricted bird here, a large bird with crisp, spicy skin and succulent juicy flesh underneath. Absolutely delicious.

Two dishes of golden chips, more like fries, were piping hot but we couldn't quite manage all of them. The coleslaw was crisp and not too vinegary and the peas were a pleasant new experience.

The manager, I assume because he was wearing a suit, checked all was OK and was prompt on offering to top up our drinks.

By now the restaurant was quickly filling up and really buzzing. Couples, families even business people were ejoying the buzz.

Because our service was so prompt we had a little time to fill and were tempted to share a pudding, a chocolate cheesecake (£4.03). Rich and pleasant enough but not good enought to match the quality of the chicken and sides.

A very pleasant and relaxed meal and excellent value.

The added value of Nando's is that it is open midday to 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and midday to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Excellent for those who don't want to eat stricly at lunch and dinner times!

ADDRESS

Nando's, Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury SY3 7ET

Tel:01743 363048

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Houmous with Peri-Peri drizzle and warm pitta, (£3.17); Red pepper dip with warm pitta (£3.17).

MAIN COURSES

Quarter Peri Peri chicken with two - regular sides or a fino side (£6.59); Double chicken breast fillet with a regular side (£9.65).

DESSERTS

White chocolate raspberry swirl (£4.03); Carrot cake (£4.03).

ATMOSPHERE

Nice buzzy feeling

SERVICE

Very good and friendly without overpowering you!

DISABLED FACILITIES

Full disabled access