Lewisham - Christopher Poole Review
Whole chicken hot FREE
PERi Chips
Pernaise
Side Salad
Toasted Pitta
Cheese
Pineapple
Soft Drink
£9.40
PLACE: Table 20, I've heard legendary things about the Lewisham do's and it did not disappoint. It's actually the closest I've come to finding one like the Nando's in Cape Town Gardens. Totally relaxed atmosphere, high windows, mezzanine level- a great buzz. Great kebab shop style floor tiles, shabby but simple decor and an open plan vibe that allows you to people watch. It felt like a well-used restaurant but not at all unclean. The paint was peeling off our table cock but it was perfectly sanitary. Also, no sticky tables, which is quite rare. It's exactly what I want from a local house of chicken and I don't give this score lightly - 9/10
HOST: Andrew, what a guy. He greeted us, gave us the best table, served me, took my cock away and asked if everything was alright with my meal and even said farewell. It's the sort of service I expect to get the Ritz, not Lewisham. When I asked for a slice of cheese and toasted pitta, he offered to stick the cheese in the pitta and grill it, obviously I said yes. He also asked "how do you want your pineapple, grilled? sliced?". I don't know if he reads my reviews but that's EXACTLY what I want to be asked. Grilled please. I love you Andy- 9.5/10
FOOD: OK, "where is this Nando's going to slip up?" I thought. Skinny chicken? Cold? Not enough sauce? Well, nowhere. The food was PERFECT. Absolutely massive mamma of a chicken. I don't know where this Nando's sources its hens but this beast was the size of a flattened turkey. The texture was as succulent as it gets, at one point I even confused the traditionally dry meat of the breast for the juicy leg! Even the wing had a fair lump of tender muscle on. The melted cheddar was out of this world and the pineapple was scorching and really added to the zing of the dish. The hot sauce was a departure for me but it did not disappoint in spice. I always say the hot is about as hot as the extra hot but with more of a lemon tang to tickle the lips. By the time I had demolished my half of the animal, I was sipping coke and sitting back with that deeply satisfying, spicy buzz. Even the coke was ice cold and extra fizzy. The chips had plenty of dust and the leg… oh my god, the leg was the sort of leg Henry VIII would approve of. It was oozing with clear and spicy juice and you could even taste hints of roast chicken in the dark meat. Incredible stuff- 10/10
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