York - Monks Cross - Ryan Review

Had a very sunny weekend on the Yorkshire Coast so managed to swing by the new York Monks Cross Nando's on my way back! It's located in the Monks Cross area which is home to a very large set of retail parks. Keep an eye out for the big John Lewis or M&S stores or the Stoneacre Ford garage though and head towards those, as that is where Nando's is located (you should also see a big V sign for Vangarde). There are thousands and thousands of free spaces dotted across all of the retail parks, so a short walk wherever you decide to park. Be sure to use the right postcode though - Nando's have YO32 9GX which will take you to the large Asda or Sainsbury's, whereas you should use YO32 9AE (or YO32 9JS if your sat nav doesn't pick up 9AE) and just following the brown Monks Cross road signs will also take you to Sainsbury's...

Within Monks Cross you have the York City Knights ground (if you enjoy Rugby League) and York Waterworld (which I imagine is very nice in this weather...). Otherwise York City Centre is just 3 miles away, so plenty to see and do including some top pubs!

Being such a new Nando's, expectations were high and it didn't disappoint! It's wonderfully decked out with lots a vibrant colour. There's a good sized outside seating section with red-metal chairs and sofas and then full length windows/doors (which were open on this hot day). Inside there is a wide variety of seating including some large circular and wavy booths with big chunky leather padding and brightly coloured upholstery. There are a few pillars which are covered in multicoloured string and plenty of canvas paintings on the wall especially on the left wall (to the entrance) which probably has about 100 small canvasses. Most of the ceiling is a wavy wicker effect with lots of different lamp shade styles hanging down from it including some made of red ropes, multi-coloured glass orbs and brown wicker sticks. The toilets were also spick and span with a nice big circular wooden framed mirror.

It was mid-afternoon on a Monday, so needless to say it wasn't too busy and the food came in a very quick four minutes - and was superb. I had a half chicken with chips and rice and was absolutely stuffed afterwards. The half chicken was huge and had so much meat (on the breast piece especially) which was cooked perfectly all the way to the bone - it was truly delicious. The rice and chips were hot, hot, hot = so very nice - maybe just an average sized portion for these though.

Staff were pleasant enough but just doing as expected - overall a very nice meal.