I love Nando’s!

Doesn’t everyone love Nando’s?

Actually, scratch that.

My own daughter didn’t like Nando’s! We had to always get her a sneaky Happy Meal so we could sit in the restaurant to eat at Bluewater! She couldn’t even hack the ‘Plain-ish’ marinade! Seriously?!

But note the didn’t… something changed recently and she has decided that Nando’s Wings, Plain-ish of course, are rather yummy!

So, today we popped to Bluewater for some lunch, and the decision was made that we go to … Nando’s!

It took a while to get a table.

Even the waitress at the door was surprised at how busy the restaurant was. “You’d think everyone would be out enjoying the 28 degrees C heat that we’re experiencing eh!” she chirruped! A 15-minute wait was agreeable as I could send Hubby Dearest off with the kids to look at something while I waited, and had a pleasant chat with our door person!

A table was spotted a little earlier and soon we were seated. Boy, was it hot, but no matter! Let’s appreciate the warmth we have finally been blessed with!

The food was ordered, except the chicken wings would take 15-20 minutes. At least the cashier had a kind of smile on her face!

No bother. We could cope with that!

Ten minutes later, I was pulling my hair out. The kids were bickering, the temperatures were rising, in my mind as well as in the atmosphere!

Then another lovely smiley lady came by. ” I am so sorry, but the order you placed. Well, it’s going to take around 20 minutes as there was no room in the

Smiley Lady: ” I am so sorry, but the order you placed. Well, it’s going to take around 20 minutes as there was no room in the oven so they will take a little longer…”

Me: “Oh, that’s ok, the lady already told me!”

Smiley Lady: ” Erm, no, I mean an extra 20 minutes…”

Me: “Oh. But the kids are waiting (and driving me crazy…!)”

Smiley Lady: Can we give you anything in the meantime? A complimentary starter…?”

Me: “Oh ok! Garlic bread will be fine,” [turns to Hubby Dearest] “is one enough? Lil Princess won’t eat it anyway…” [turns to Smiley Lady] “A garlic bread is fine, thank you!”

Smiley Lady: “Just the one? Are you sure?”

I nodded and sent her on her way.

And it was with us in seconds, it seemed. Lil Princess turned her nose up at it. “School does the best Garlic Bread. This is yucky.”

We shared it amongst the rest of us. As there was one bite left, she decided to take an interest. ” Mmmm! This is yummy! Mummy can we have more?” Typical!

Roll on the next 15 minutes!

Meanwhile, the two ladies sat next to us were looking a little miffed. One had her meal, while the other was sat waiting.

On asking at the counter, it appeared that her food had been forgotten!

My kids were starting to growl now for sustenance. They are not attractive when hungry!

It had hit the half an hour mark. I was minute watching!

Looking over at the serving counter, our meals were sat there, waiting to be lovingly served with a smile to us.

A (different) waitress looked at it, and the accompanying receipt. And ignored our food!

Hmmm! Okay. Maybe something was still missing from the order.

The lady next to us caught her attention, and as she came over to the table, she mentioned the lack of a meal for her companion.

“Er, while you are on your way, please could we have our food? I believe it’s there, waiting to be served…” Said with a smile, obviously! It’s Ritu we are talking about here!

Well, she looked at me… looked over, then sloped over to the serving desk. Picked up our meals and brought them over, placing them in front of me rather clumsily, leaving me to hand them to the correct people. My one was last, and she looked at me with a rather dour face and said “Sorry for the delay…” then sloped off to get our neighbour’s meal.

We all looked at each other.

Sincerity in an apology means so much!

The other lady’s meal was brought over in a similar fashion so (it was a mum and daughter combo) Mum got up and went to the counter to place a complaint. Daughter started to eat, but Mum wasn’t coming back in a hurry! She felt bad at eating while Mum’s food was going cold!

When she arrived, it was with a promise of a free meal next time! I said she should have asked for free sides and a dessert instead! This way, they would still have to come back to redeem the compensation!

Anyway… the food was good, as always!

And I didn’t see the dour waitress again. But a smiley waiter did pop up several times to ask if everything was ok with us, and our neighbours!

What made me laugh afterwards was reading an advert that they had placed (in the loo of all places) for people to come join their Nando’s team!

One of the requirements was people skills and smiles! Four out of five members of staff we encountered can’t be too bad eh!

I can’t help but think this young lady was suited to ‘back of house’ duties!

Maybe she was having a bad day… who knows, but it can grate on a customer if they are already waiting for late food/having to request forgotten food, and then get served with a cold apology to accompany said late/forgotten food!

As I said at the beginning…

I love Nando’s!