Not so long ago, the only places worth eating at in Delhi were the good five star hotel's fine dining restaurants among a bunch of others but it is good to see that restaurants from all over the world are opening their doors in Delhi, truly making it the food capital of India.

 

I have been to Nando's in London, Coventry and Birmingham which is why I was ecstatic when I found out that one of my favourite restaurants from England is finally opening in India. However, since I was away I finally got to try Nando's only last night!

 

I thought we were the last ones there as the Maitre d' said they are closed. However, I said if there is anyway they could accommodate us it would be great and they did. However, they did let a party of 5 (two good looking young women and three men) in an hour after we got in and a minute after they refused to let in a party of 4 (a family of four with two children). Don't know what to make of that? Perhaps, dress better when you go out?

 

When we got in we waited at one of the tables at the entrance for over 40 minutes before my partner asked if we should check what's going on and then finally one of waiters took our order. We ordered "Diet Coke" (which was not available), a "Portuguese Lemonade" (instead of which the waiter got us a regular coke) and when we told him we do not really want this, he said it's all right you can have it !? Anyway, we only found out during our meal that the "Portuguese Lemonade" was not available either!

 

We ordered the "Chicken Breast" (hot & the one with lemon and herbs), which delivered just the right amount of heat via its lovely cooking sauce but there was no difference in the size of a "fino?" side and a regular side. So I was thinking I would have been better off ordering two regulars like my partner instead of one fino. The "Coleslaw" was too dry and the "Spicy Rice" was disappointing on multiple levels. The quality of the rice used was no where like the one we used to have in England and the rice was a tad too soggy.

 

The chicken arrived almost immediately but the sides took ages to arrive. We were really hungry so we ordered the "Hummus and Pita Bread" but what we got was not Pita, we got white bread buns. I have to stop here though to appreciate the Hummus which was absolutely delectable and definitely the best part of my meal.

 

I am "dessert crazy" and I was really looking forward to trying their "Cheesecake". The cheesecake, with a digestive tart-like crust, served with Caramel, seemed like an unnecessary topping to a rather dry cheesecake, which would have benefited from being heated before being served.

 

I frequented Nando's in England for it lovely bottomless fat-free yoghurt which wasn't on the menu in India and the diet coke wasn't bottomless either. I don't think the restaurant serves any alcohol which was very disappointing as I love my wine.

 

When the Maitre d' later asked if I enjoyed my experience, I couldn't tell a lie but since I loved the Hummus and the Peri Peri sauces so much, I nodded in affirmation. The four stars here are for the Maitre d' and the front-of-house team, who are charming, friendly and efficient.

 

Why would there be so much confusion in a restaurant with a shocking number of waiters, is a baffling mystery. I could see that people were waving around all over the place waiting to be served. Like much else here - service, interior, ho-hum drinks list - it's perfectly pleasant and warm but lacks necessary organisation.

 

© Shivangi Reviews

 

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