Peri Peri Good

Peri-Peri,it turns out,isn’t a kind of chicken but a fiery chilli called Bird’s Eye Chilli unique to southern Africa. Peri-Peri is the Swahili name. The facts in hand,we set out to discover the menu at Nando’s restaurant. The interiors are promising—the colours are earthy and there’s a casual dining ambience. It’s hard not to notice the interesting artefact or the African music. “The brand also promotes art and all those on the walls are for sale,” says Chadha.

Thankfully,the food is equally true to the theme; there’s only Afro-Portuguese dishes to choose from. The highlight is definitely Peri-Peri Chicken which arrives on our platter carefully prepared and flame grilled to perfection.

You can choose the heat before you eat. In other words,run through their Perio-meter which lists out the spice intensity flavours of the chicken dressing. There’s Extra Peri-Peri Hot,Hot Peri-Peri,Mild Peri-Peri and Lemon and Herb.

Feeling adventurous,we settle for Hot Peri-Peri and it sure set fire to our taste-buds. If you are looking to try all the flavours,the restaurant has generously put bottles of Peri-Peri sauces on each table. You can also take the bottles home,at a price of Rs 249 each. There are also Butterfly-cut chicken,burgers,wraps and salads,as well as delicious country-specific items. A must-try is Chicken Strips and Rice (Rs 255) which comprises spicy rice,coleslaw and potato wedges. Pair it with a glass of Portuguese Lemonade (Rs 75) that reminds you of a masala Coke but only better.

The menu at Nando’s also accommodates vegetarians,with a Peri-Peri Paneer version apart from ample choice in the salads section. The desserts stay away from the usual. The Pasteis de Nata or Natas for short is a traditional Portuguese pastry topped with zesty custard— perfect after that flame-grilled chicken.

Meal for two: Rs 750 (including tax) Location: SCO 339-340,Sector 35-BContact: 0172-4052501-05