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Feast, Al Fresco
Nando’s at Marinascape overlooks blue waters and Dubai’s towering Marina skyline; and the peri-peri spread is very, very good
Nando’s is de rigueur if you’ve been in Dubai for a bit — the trademark chicken logo and the promise of the varied flavours of the zesty peri peri sauce (ranging from mild spicy to scorching spicy) beckon to you from many signposts. Anyone reasonably in love with all things foodie would probably know that the South African chain shot to global fame with its offerings of flame-grilled chicken — that are of Portuguese/Mozambican origin. And that the peri-peri sauce, that accompanies all dishes, is the USP.
But the reason why we decided to review the Nando’s outlet perched perkily on the Marinascape, overlooking gentle waters, was quite obviously the setting: at this time of the year, who wouldn’t want an afternoon of luncheon indulgence al fresco?
There’s a covered area as well that we readily bypassed and headed purposefully towards the great outdoors, which is refreshingly laidback, and — considering this was a lunch break from office — incredibly unofficial.
Basking in the pleasant glow of the mellow sun, you first need to savour the surroundings, before getting down to ordering food.
The Nando’s menu is sparing and to the point: assorted ‘meals’, burgers and pitas, salads, sides (the spicy rice is a killer) and extras. And, of course, appetisers, which Nando’s refers to as ‘appeteasers’.
We start off with the chicken liver (“woo hoo” was the unanimous verdict from around the informal table), the chicken wings, the spicy mixed olives, and the peri-peri hummous (a personal favourite since I am a sucker for any kind of hummous — and this was generously laced with fiery peri-peri, so how could it possibly go wrong?).
For the mains, we opt for one helping of the signature dish — the flame-grilled chicken — just to see why it’s stood the test of the time: delicious and succulent and hearty, but I start feeling as though I’m OD-ing on poultry. For those with a robust carnivorous appetite, nothing could be better.
Strangely enough, the espetada — chunks of chargrilled chicken served with assorted veggies and chips — stokes your chicken cravings all over again. And then, the cataplana — a traditional Portuguese affair of chicken thighs marinated in the wonderful peri-peri sauce, tossed with courgettes, onions, tomatoes and served on a bed of the heavenly spicy rice — seals the case.
The excessive chicken indulgence is rounded off beautifully with a trio of superb cakes: honey biscuit (which was perhaps the best of the lot), chocolate and caramel cheesecake.
The downside of it all? With so much chicken stuffed inside, you feel like you’ve just managed to wipe out a poultry farm.
In seven words: Saucy, grilled fare along with Marina sightseeing
What we liked: Setting, service, food
What we didn’t like: Chicken overkill: it might just put you off the bird
Restaurant best for: Lazy luncheons or long-drawn-out dinners
Cost for two: Dh200 (approx.)
Did you know: Peri-Peri is an African Bird’s Eye chilli, indigenous to East and Southern Africa
Contact: Nando’s, Marinascape, Dubai Marina Walk 04-4541404
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