Cardiff - Mermaid Quay - Gerry Louis Review

I am 100% certain this branch would be in the top ten UK Nando's if more reviewers went there. This branch was by far the best Welsh Nando's over the weekend and one of the best experiences I've ever had.

I got there in the rain about an hour earlier than it opened. It's a shame the weather was so bad, this branch is on the pier with a view of the Bay/Marina near the Millennium Centre. Unfortunately there is no awning to cover for the rain, so I went to Starbucks for a second hot chocolate of the morning to wait to be the first through the door. 12.01 was as a good a time as any plus no other guests had beat me to it so I pushed open the large door and scouted a decent table to sit at. There were four wet tables outside, and as you enter there are three tables to the left, booths up the far left wall to the cutlery/ sauces area, one long table up the centre of the branch and about five two sweaters on the right. I chose number 1 in the corner on the right, behind the wall so pretty invisible to incoming newcomers. Kirk the host for the day was happy for me to claim the table too.

Ordering was easy. Yes I've been before, no I don't want to use my red reward, here's my gift card and thanks for your help. The young girl knew what she was doing, everything was simple, easy, efficient. To the right of the till is the drinks area and a large door leading to the toiledau. The theme for the restaurant seemed to be medieval doors, it was huge and swung both ways. It lead round to separate his and her toilets, again large medieval doors, clean and nice smelling inside.

The food actually arrived in over 5 minutes but I wanted this one to rate a 5/5... Again the food was the best of the weekend, breast quarter dripping in sauce, so delicious and moist, tender and all the best tasty words you can think of. There were plenty of chips on my plate and loads of peri salt and the garlic bread was grilled to perfection. Not burnt like Newport and not unfinished like Merthyr. I did compliment Kirk on the food and the branch and I think he felt proud. I had heard him say to another member of staff he'd been there for six years now, and he's doing a very good job.

A new set of customers came in who had never been to Nando's before. One of the other Nandocas actually lead them to a booth, sat with with them and explained how it worked. Once they got their meal he then came to check on them again to ask how everything was. I know they do that anyway but it was like he was personally looking after them and genuinely interested in how they felt.
Kirk had come to speak to me a few times as well and even said that seeing as I loved him so much, he'd like me to fill out the feedback form. For you, anything.

There's loads of artwork here, as well as filled urns with plants, loads of wooden sculptures and plenty if paintings. It's a small branch but they've made really great use of the space. The long table in the middle seats about six sets of four people each, all separated by the container for multiple sauce bottles. One of the best Nando's and easily found once you get used to the bus system in Cardiff. I highly recommend more visits here.