Limassol - Pompey Ranger Review

This Nando's is just back from the sea front behind a busy road, parking is an issue, we managed to get limited on street parking just round the corner but you could try and do as the locals and just park where the hell you like.

The store seemed nice from the exterior and out the front was a large decked area with large comfy chairs (see pictures) and low tables with a glass wall to separate them from the pavement passer bys. There were many small trees in pots scattered around and a large red canvass sun shade which could be closed back. We walked up the step into the entrance (no d.d.a. here) and along into the store itself. The entrance is double height with the serving area directly in front of you and the stairs to the toilets upstairs going up the side (there are no down stairs toilets or disabled toilets but this is Cyprus so disabled rights are non existent!) The toilets up stairs were hot, small and smelly with a screen window, This was probably made worse by the fact Cypriots can't flush their toilet paper but put it in bins instead.

There were seats on raised areas either side and were neat and tidy, there is some items of object d'art and decoration in crevices and on the wall. It had a very different feeling to the UK stores and was completely empty at lunch time!! In the UK on a day like to day it would have been jam packed. It felt more like a night club and indeed they had a DJ booth at the side which is apparently used at night when it is more club like.

The menu is different to the UK with many extra items on the menu, different crockery and unfortunately table service which is bloody annoying. We had decided quick what we wanted but were then stuck waiting for the waiter and due to my lack of decorum once I've had to wait a few minutes this involved waving repeatedly at the till area till someone came over. We also had a long wait for the food but this I expect is partly due to the place being empty and having to cook it fresh for us (or at least singe it fresh). The chicken seemed a little greasy and singed and not the same flavour as back in UK. An item I did like here is a salad garnish on the plate, the side orders were much bigger than the uk and wedges seem to be the norm. Another benefit is not having to pay for peri sprinkle as it is on the tables already along with the 4 options of sauce bottle they have here, Cypriots really don't seem to like to move around. They also have paper table mats which are a very nice touch and a way to advertise or put a message across but not sure if very eco friendly. Cutlery is also laid out on a napkin which means you have to ask for extra napkins if you need them.

They have recently brought in bottomless beverages out here but rather than having the self serve machine you have to ask your waiter to refill them, the waiters are good at avoiding you even if you are the ONLY customers in the store. They also don't like it when you go up to the serving area after waiting with out service and tell you to go back to your seat and they will come over in a minute to collect your glass to refill.

You also get the bill at the end which I guess is a way of hoping you will order more food throughout the meal and also to leave a tip. This later section caused controversy as I felt I ought to leave a tip where as the other in my group said not to due to the delays we had experienced and the difficulty of getting refills.

I definitely prefer the UK style of Nando's and feel the business out here would grow dramatically if they adopted it.