Balham - Blaynos Review

A rather unplanned and somewhat lucky trip to Nando's. I was down in Balham to meet some friends for some Friday night birthday drinks but a combination of me being a bit early and them being very late meant I had some time to kill. Given how rarely I venture to South London, I was pleasantly surprised by Balham High Street and even more so when I found there was a Nando's about 2-3min walk away from the station (Northern line and National rail). The branch is round the corner from a Waitrose and a few pubs/bars (notably the Bowls Club).

I was amazed at how empty it was for 6pm on a Friday, although the annoying problem of just one person at the tills meant I had to queue. Ordered soon enough and headed to the toilets - where a rather randomly irritating aspect were the taps. They are stupidly close to the edge of the basin, meaning you can't fully get your hands underneath. The branch itself seems pretty unloved (on the inside anyway). Couple of art pieces on the wall, a statue and an rustic chandelier aside, it needs a refurb. Tables quite old and close together, it also has the common problem of the door opening up into the tills and the kitchen, which is never ideal.

Despite how quiet it was, still waited what seemed like an age. Got my food to takeaway; the halloumi was good, if a little small. The chicken burger appeared small but the more I ate, the bigger it seemed to be - and I was quite surprised. Food gets a 4.5 but I gave it a 4 because in an ideal world, I'd have given decor & cleanliness a 1.5.

3/5 overall score at best - massively aided by the food itself.