Gateshead - Ryan Review

Travelling back from an ultramarathon weekend in Kielder gave me the perfect chance to check out this new Nando's! It's located in the middle of Gateshead in the new Trinity Square complex. This also means it is located directly opposite the Gateshead Metro station and bus interchange. The whole complex is anchored by a Tesco Extra, which also offers free parking for up to 4 hours underneath the complex. Follow the yellow roadsigns to "Superstore" to get to the parking.

In the complex are other eateries such as Frankie & Benny's and a Costa, an Anytime Fitness gym and a Vue cinema.

Nando's is in the shadow of the new "Halo" sculpture, which is an impressive ring of inflated stainless steel. There are six tables or so outside, so you can sit and gaze at this if you like. Inside, it's nice and spacious. As soon as you enter, there are two large circular booths infront of you, with a further 20 tables or so off to your left, where there are also several large and bright canvas paintings. Behind the circular booths and towards the back are several orange-leather booths (behind the drinks station) with more tables/chairs to the left of these - infront of a wall which seems to be clad in old tyres. To the right of the entrance (as you enter) are the tills and also some window seating and high chairs and above this a nice painting of multiple barcis running along the length of the window.

There is a good mixture of lighting, including red/orange/yellow glass orbs and some fairy lights looking like a tree branch above the booths (at the back). The whole of the ceiling is also a nice wavy and vaulted wooden clad effect. Overall very nice.

Arrived here at about 3pm and there were just a couple tables in use, which meant no wait for a table - and the food took 15 minutes to come. Staff were nice enough, but just making the expected chit chat.

Sadly the food just wasn't up to scratch. The staff were waiting on the chips and so the chicken and rice were sat on the side for about 10 minutes. The rice was really dry and some of it was even crunchy. The chicken - although well marinaded - was really dry inside. No moisture at all and so very chewy. Ruahhhh. The chips were hot and crispy though and in abundance.