Nando's Peri-Peri

Nando's Peri-Peri Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Uniformed staff greet diners at the door at this New City outpost of the upscale casual chain. The crowd is a cross-section of workers on their lunch break, friend groups and neighborhood locals on a leisurely run to the retail/restaurant concept. Order at the counter, then bring your numbered sign to the corresponding table in the dining room, a mix of four tops or booths decorated in African themes. Upbeat music showers a happy vibe.

Likes: Fast hot food.
Dislikes: While you can order drinks here, the restaurant feels more like a quick stop.

Food & Drinks: The secret to this chain's success? PERi-PERi, fired up by African Bird's Eye chili. The grill is a centerpiece; chicken is marinated in PERi-PERi sauce for 24 hours, then cooked for multiple dishes (various half, fourth, breast, thigh and wing combos in medium, hot and extra hot levels) that can be enhanced by sides such as Portuguese rice, fries and red-skinned mashed potatoes. Lighten up with salads, sandwiches, wraps and pitas. Finish with a barely baked brownie or carrot cake. Sangría and spiced lemonades sit alongside red and white wine by the glass or bottle, plus local brews.