Friday 19 / April / 2024
Nando’s is a well-known favourite in Oman, beloved for its so-called “flamed” chicken skewers which are marinated overnight in a secret South African blend and then basted with marinade while grilling for some of the most melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken in the city. Their spicy peri-peri sauces are so popular, you can even find bottles of them in fancy grocery stores about town. So, when we heard that the restaurant was adding a brand new sauce to their lineup, we knew we had to go check it out. We weren’t disappointed. —[email protected]
Best of the Mango Lime Mains
Swati’s Pick: Nandocas’ Choice
In all my previous visits to Nando’s I have never ever bothered to set my eyes on the menu list. Each time I would invariably ask for Espetada, the neatly stacked, skewered, flame-grilled chicken wooed me so much that it became my permanent favourite before I had the chance to taste anything else. For our editor’s lunch, I decided it was time to try something new, so I ordered the Nandocas’ Choice, a whole butterflied Peri-Peri chicken breast served on garlic bread and topped with freshly made coleslaw. Slathered in the new mango-lime sauce at Nandos, it was a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, tender-crisp chicken, and luscious, buttery garlic bread. The fries were such a delicious add-on that I didn’t have room for dessert. OMR 5.500 (with 2 regular sides)
Gautam’s pick: Espetada
There’s something quite mystical, if you will, about the merger of two cultures that leads to a symbotic (and delicious) outcome. The Espetada is the best example of this happy fusion as it incorporates Portuguese culinary methods and South African spices and herbs. Delicately, deliciously balanced on a glinting metal skewer, juicy, crunchy, flavourful chicken and crispy bell peppers bring to mind leisurely days on a Portuguese beach, watching as meat turns and roasts on a spit over a bed of hot coals. Bringing the whole shebang together is Nando’s secret marinade and a healthy dash of sweet, tangy, spicy mango and lime sauce. Don’t bother trying to obtain the recipe for these secret blends. We asked, quite nicely, and they politely told us no. OMR6.900 (with 2 regular sides)
Ashish’s pick: Espetada Carnival
I’ve always wanted to try the gorgeous, hanging skewers at Nando’s. They were somehow reminiscent of Nairobi, and as they would pass by on their way to another table, the smells were nothing short of intoxicating. While sampling dishes new and old for editor’s lunch, I finally got my chance to taste this impressive-looking creation. Turns out that the dish consists of flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken thighs stuffed with feta and parsley that are skewered with mixed peppers and grilled. Served with garlic buns and Peri-Peri-wedges, it is more of a feast than an entree. Subtle and delicious as it was, a squeeze of mango-lime sauce brought a new dimension to the flavour. OMR7.100 (with 2 regular sides)
Shruthi’s pick: Grilled Chicken Cataplana
A steaming copper bowl appeared, filled with so many things that I gave up trying to dissect the rich-smelling plate and dove right in. Atop a spicy bed of rice, juicy chicken thighs and smokey grilled vegetables were blanketed in garlic-y cataplana sauce, with a spicy South African twist. In addition to Peri-Peri spices, the new mango and lemon sauce amps up the flavour of this mega-hot dish.
Suggestion: Try to have the first bite with your eyes closed.
Warning: If you can’t handle spicy food, then don’t even think about ordering this. Or maybe use this as a delicious culinary challenge, as it is SPICY, but so worth it. OMR 5.500
The best of the bevs
Gautam’s pick: Crimson Cola
Nando’s is best known across the globe as a destination that fuses the old world and the new, and the Crimson Cola is no exception to that rule. Coca Cola on its own is a singularly delicious beverage, but I never thought something as simple as a shot of humble pomegranate would elevate it to a downright amazing refreshment offering rapid bursts of sweet and sour flavour, alternating in a fizzy, effervescent dance. OMR2.100
Ashish’s pick: Refreshmint
True to its name, this combination of Mojito mint syrup, Sprite and fresh lime juice blended with fresh mint leaves and lots of crushed ice is as refreshing as they come. OMR2.100
Shruthi’s pick: Coconut Crush
Sweet and light, with coconut milk, Sprite, and a dash of lime juice blended with crushed ice, this white glass of awesomeness did multiple jobs throughout the course of my three-hour-long lunch meeting. First, it quenched my thirst in the most delicious way, then it helped me gulp-down the mounds of chicken and garlic bread, and finally, it saved my burning mouth after I inhaled too much of the hot Peri-Peri sauce. This is a luscious one-man-army of a drink. OMR2.100
Nando’s Hours Other branches:
Qurum Complex, Qurum
+968 2456 1818
nandosoman.com
@nandosoman
Sat-Thurs, 11am till 11.30pm
Friday 1pm till 11.30pm
Muscat City Centre; Oman Avenues Mall; Al Mouj
