Thursday 7 November 2019

Nando's@The Starling : Surprisingly Good


Nando's opened recently at The Starling and I bet Nando's fans in Damansara Uptown are rejoicing. Me? I was indifferent. 

For many years I did not think that Nando's was any good due to my not-so-great experience at the outlets at The Atria (that was ages ago) and last year at 1 Utama. I did not think the peri peri chicken was all that special.

The lunch crowd. Must come very early or later to avoid disappointment.
On the day that Nando's opened, I spotted this chicken (hah...hah...) from a distance.


So I stalked it and requested for a photo.


The person behind this chicken suit is hilarious. He did a nice pose for me. And that day, I decided, why not drop by and see if I still feel the same about Nando's. So there I was for my early dinner at 4:30 pm.


My partner often tells me that when a restaurant is newly opened, they are always ready to please. Food is fresh and portions tend to be a tad generous. Besides, service is better as the staff tend to be more attentive (that need not necessarily ring true as some places open to poor service).

When I was browsing the menu outside, a young server approached me and he was very enthusiastic in introducing the meals to me. I appreciated his effort and he encouraged me to try the Lunch Bites.


I chose the 1/4 chicken (Lemon & Herb sauce) with Mediterranean rice and a bottomless Iced Lemon Tea (RM17.90). The young man also informed me of their loyalty app where you collect "chilies" for a minimum spend of RM30.00.


When I took a bite of the chicken, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was so good. It was smokey, moist and juicy. For the first time I could appreciate why Nando's peri peri chicken is so special. Very different from the (unimpressive) Nando's chicken that I had eaten before this. 

The rice was just ordinary and frankly, I wouldn't mind paying more to have the 1/4 chicken with 2 sides (RM22.90). 


I was so pleased with the chicken that I returned for lunch the next day. As usual, I like to have lunch early when it is nice and peaceful. When I left around 12:00 pm, the place was chaos with a queue outside.


I have been eating too many carbs lately and yes, my pants did get a bit tight. Bah! I reckon, Nando's is one of those places where I can low carb. So I got myself the 1/4 chicken with 2 sides (RM22.90) and an iced Americano (RM10.90).


I have had too many experiences with below par coffee and  I had low expectations for the coffee here. However, it was surprisingly good. Yay!


The first thing that struck me when my meal was served, was how wonderful the chargrilled vegetables looked. It tasted very good too. Unlike the uninspiring tasteless ones I had before.


The coleslaw I'm afraid was overdressed and cloying. I did not like it at all.

As for the chicken (I chose Hot this time), nom! nom! nom! Yes, it was fresh, it had wonderful smokey flavors, it was tender and juicy. If I had to complain, I would say the size of the chicken leg is a bit small.



Yup, I came back again. As you can see I am now a Nando's fan. This time I avoided the coleslaw and had the chargrilled vegetables (again!) and a side salad.



I loved the salad dressing. It had a lemony taste and was suitably creamy.



And again, I enjoyed the chargrilled vegetables.



So it looks like I have changed my mind about Nando's and I foresee myself coming here every now and then.



By the way, the space vacated by Bonfire will be taken over by Kam Kee Cafe. Any one familiar with this cafe?


18 comments:

  1. My girl's favourite! Was a regular at their outlet in Wellington, New Zealand.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kam Kee Cafe is an old time Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng chain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I see! I'm afraid I am not a fan of these Hong Kong style food.

      Delete
  3. Aha! I will stalk this Ah Hong Chee at Starling's Nandos! I am sure I will be able to corner you now. Maybe I should pretend to be the waiter or the Chicken Mascot!

    Wonder why it took you so many years to like their Peri-Peri chicken which has been superb since Day 01. Maybe your tongue's glands have fully matured now. Muahahahaha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You see, the peri peri chicken that I ate at the other outlets were not up to standard. I might have been unlucky to visit at a time when they were slack. But whoa! After eating the one at Starling, my eyes are wide open! LOL!

      Delete
  4. The chicken does look juicy and moist from the photos. I must try this nando since you said it is good. There is one outlet at bugis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully the one at your end has good standards as well.

      Delete
  5. Now I feel like eating Nando chicken again after reading all your reviews.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hee..hee.. Hope you enjoy your Nando's!

      Delete
  6. The size of the chicken leg I'm afraid is always like that...small! ;) That's where the sides come in and one of my default side is always the chargrilled vegetables but they can be inconsistent with the cooking though. When they're not so busy, I find that they're better charred for that wonderful smoky aroma (other times they can be a bit hard and not so smoky in taste). Their coleslaw is a definite no-no for me. Try the tropical fruitea with your chicken meal...nice! ^.^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, an alternative drink to coffee! Yes, will try that. The other day, the coffee kept we awake almost the whole night >.<

      Delete
  7. Wow! looks like Nando is a very popular eatery at Starling Mall during lunch time. I always order chargrill vegetables as side. I guess you will frequent Nando until/if their standard drops and serve chicken like what you ate before in atria and 1u.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's new that's why it's the current sensation. I hope that standards can be maintained.

      Delete
  8. I have only eaten at Nando's once but there is something comforting about simple food - chicken and veg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would say chicken and vege is one of my favorite meals to prepare at home.

      Delete
  9. I think it's not first time I tell you that Nando's Chicken is my favourite chicken joint and of course I'm their apps user which have earn me quite a few of free meals :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know! I have yet to claim my free chicken hee..hee..

      Delete