West Hampstead - BaronSamedi1980 Review

I was heading to the big NFL game at Wembley stadium and in need of a pre-match meal away from the crowds at Wembley. The quickest way to Wembley stadium from where I live in Bedford is to get the Bedford to West Hampstead train and then the tube from West Hampstead to Wembley Park. This change from overground to underground at West Hampstead provided the perfect opportunity to visit a new Nandos that I had not visited before and fulfil my pre-match meal needs as West Hampstead Nandos which is only a short 5 minute walk from the train station.

I arrived a few minutes before the restaurant opened as I wanted to eat and get to Wembley in plenty of time for some pre-game beers with my fellow NFL fan friends. I was the first person in the restaurant which is quite a small location with only a few tables downstairs and a couple more outside on the pavement. In fact I had assumed that the must be more tables upstairs somewhere but in fact the only thing upstairs are the toilets.

After a quick look at the menu I decided upon a single chicken wrap (medium) with added avocado, haloumi and pineapple, peri-peri chips, a corn on the cob and a soft drink.

After ordering and paying I went to collect my cutlery and sauces as well as fill my glass from the sauce\drink dispenser station with is located just to the side of the tills. Unfortunately by arriving just as this Nandos opened they hadn't yet put out any cutlery or sauces. I mentioned this to the helpful female staff member who had taken my order and was told they would bring them to my table for me, which a few mins late they did.

I was left wondering if by arriving at the restaurant while they were still setting up would mean that I had a long wait ahead of me for my meal but I was pleasantly surprised, not to mention impressed, that it arrived promptly only 5 minutes later.

Not only was the food quick, it was good. The wrap was full of chicken and with the pineapple and avocado tasted great - a wonderful contrast in flavours that blended together nicely. The chips were plentiful, hot and crispy and the corn on the cob just right. All in all a very enjoyable meal that more than met my pre-Wembley match needs.

This was only a quick visit for me and I was in and out again in 40 minutes however I was very impressed with the polite and helpful staff as well as the quality of the meal. I would definitely return here again.