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Dorchester - Ryan Review
How Helpful?:
Number of Visits:
This was my first visit
How Busy?:
A few tables occupied
Date of Last Visit:
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Time of Day:
Weekday Dinner
Comments - Stand out in our monthly competition! What did you eat? Unique aspects? Parking/transport tips?:
This Nando's is located on the newly developed Brewery Square, which is host to an Odeon Cinema (and a big Screen On The Square!) and other eateries. The nearest bowling alley is in Weymouth. Dorchester South or West train stations are just a few minutes walk away (South being the nearest). There are two car parks opposite the complex - Fairfield Market Short and Long Stay. The charges vary depending on the day (as the Market is on Wednesday) so check before you go and be prepared for it to be busy!
From the outside, this Nando's is very nice. The building is curved and seems to sweep around nicely (it actually sweeps around to some outside seating). As you enter the till is in front of you with a large booth just to the left of the entrance. The branch then slightly curves round to the right, with tables/chairs and booths getting gradually smaller in size until you get to the end wall (there is actually a two person seat booth) - about 25 tables inside. At the back wall is a door to another dozen or so sets of bench/chairs/tables outside where diners will sit underneath glass panels with lots of pots/plants surrounding them.
Inside on the walls are a vast array of wooden cubby holes and shelves housing many differently sized and coloured pots and vases. The lighting mainly consists of 12 or so large wicker shades with three bulbs in each. Toilets are three separate rooms of unisex toilets and were spotlessly clean with a nice tile pattern. I know it's a new Nando's, but certainly compared to some of the other newer ones, it just didn't have that wow factor as much, so just a 4 on the decor I think.
Arriving at about 8:30pm, it was very quiet with only a few tables in use, so needless to say there was no wait and the food came in 8 minutes. Staff were friendly enough, but doing as expected.
The food was okay on this occasion. The chicken was burnt a bit too much on the outside and so was quite dry and chewy, which was a shame. I did get a huge portion of chips and rice - which were both cooked nicely, so it wasn't all bad... but we know it's all about the chicken...
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