Nando's in Atria Damansara

I have shifted to my new office (permanently this time) beginning of July 2015. We were blessed as when the office was open after the renovation, Atria Mall has also open after being closed for quite some times to allow for modern refurbishment. There are more food outlets inside the mall. Nandos cafe happened to be there too. My boss is a big fan of the fast food, and though I'm not, we compromised. It was my first time on 12th July to have a quick lunch at Nando's with him before we off for a meeting. It was a long overdue visit after after my demobilisation from Karachi. Yes, there is Nando's cafe in Karachi too.

Happy Cheerful Nando's boy!

First and foremost, the interior decor of the restaurant has been upgraded to a deserving thumbs up rating. I for once was really impressed with everything new Nando has to offer, from the decor, the food and the warm receptions from their waitress. 

Love this corner

Nando's is an international casual dining restaurant chain originating from South Africa, with a Mozambican/Portuguese theme. It was founded in 1987 and has been operates for about 1,000 outlets in 30 countries thus far. Wow, I only discovered this fact from the internet only today. How wonderful isn’t it? Nando's specializes in chicken dishes with lemon and herb, mango and lime, medium, hot, extra hot or extra extra hot peri-peri marinades. In some countries, Nando's has other flavour options to suit the local taste. Nando's has been established in Malaysia since 1998. As of May 2015, there were 69 restaurants operating throughout Malaysia.

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Nando's specializes in flame-grilled peri peri chicken. The chicken is served in quarters, halves and whole. Nando's also serves burgers, pitas, salads, wings and wraps. In some countries, Nando’s sells chicken livers, espetadas (a large stand with a skewer of chicken breast and grilled peppers) and cataplana (a chicken and rice dish served in a traditional Portuguese copper dish).

An elegant counter

Peri peri, also known as African Bird's Eye chilli, is a variety of Capsicum frutescens widely grown in East and Southern Africa. Nando's products are based in one of four peri-peri flavours. For our information, Nando's has published a book about peri peri called Pain and Pleasure, the contrasts and contradictions of the African Bird's Eye Chilli.

A unique wash basin

Painting collections that pleases my eyes

The restaurant was founded in 1987 in Johannesburg mining suburb Rosettenville when a Portuguese-born audio engineer Fernando Duarte took his entrepreneur friend Robert Brozin to a Portuguese takeaway called Chickenland for a meal. After trying the chicken which was cooked in peri peri, a chilli sauce originating in Mozambique, they bought the restaurant for about £25,000 at the time. They later renamed the restaurant to a present name Nando's, after Duarte’s first name. Within 2 years the restaurant had 4 outlets, 3 in Johannesburg and 1 in Portugal.

Ahha.. the yummy food, a quarter chicken

Nando has initiated in 2002, "the Nando's Art Collection". It has grown to something in which all Nando's employee should take great pride. The artwork that were displayed on the walls of their restaurants was from the largest collection of South African art outside Africa. There said to be more than 5000 works that make up Nando's collection include pieces from undiscovered, emerging and established artists from diverse social and economic backgrounds. It offers opportunity for all artists in South Africa to participate as well as encouraging skills development at every level.Nando's takes particular interest in young, emerging artists. Nando's support has enabled many individuals to focus full-time on their art and as a result, a growing number have gone on to become established artists. Job well done Nando's. I'm a fan.

A menu and peri-peri garlic sauce

Advertising Age magazine named Nando's as one of the world's top 30 hottest marketing brands in 2010. As of July 2014, the Nando's restaurant group is ultimately owned by South African businessman Dick Enthoven and his family. Enthoven's son, Robby Enthoven, was responsible for expanding the Nando's chain in the United Kingdom.

Last photo - me with their restaurant external facade

Again, Aflah and I were there for lunch with our renovation contractor who happened to pop up close to lunch time on 17th August. I snapped more photos that time. We chose to sit at this unique corner too on Monday, 5th September after the internal audit training with the ISO consultant. Good meals are meant to be shared with good people. And yes, everyone's are good so long that you open up your eyes, stop being judgmental and appreciate that we, human came with an evil and devil character in us. We are not perfect. So, just enjoy each other company with deeper and greater respect towards one another. 

Beautiful wood carving, isn't it?

I found about the Legend of Barcelos Cockerel story from Nando’s website. It said that the tale dates back to the 14th century and, like all legends, the details differ depending on who’s doing the telling. Nando’s version are: A pilgrim was passing through the village of Barcelos in Portugal when he was wrongly accused of theft. This was a serious charge for which a guilty verdict meant death. The pilgrim was then brought before the towns judge, who was about to eat a roast cockerel for his dinner. Feeling vulnerable in a strange village, and knowing what his sorry fate might be, the pilgrim pleaded "If I am innocent, may that cockerel get up and crow!" No sooner had he spoken, than the cockerel got up and crowed heartily (well it is a legend) with that, the pilgrim was released and went on his way. The Barcelos cockerel has, to this day, been the symbol of Faith, Justice and Good Fortune. That's the end of Nando's story from my blog. To all Nando's fan worldwide enjoy your meal in Nando's.

Ling, took this for us

We shared a platter that time