Nando’s, Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7BB, 01256 335 477, Nandos.co.uk.

ALTHOUGH I had previously been to Basingstoke’s popular branch of the national chain Nando’s, it has taken on new significance since I became a parent.

It was the first restaurant we ventured into with a young baby as its noise was a reassuring cover for our daughter’s wailing, and, now that she is a toddler, it provides a fast yet relatively healthy lunch option when we’re in town together.

It opens at 11.30am for lunch, which, as every parent knows, is the perfect time to eat for a toddler who has been up since 6am. A little early for mum and dad, but these are the sacrifices we all have to make. 

After a cheerful, efficient welcome, we were seated at a booth in the clean, airy restaurant and our daughter was given crayons and a page to colour in. In Nando’s, you queue to give your order and your table number, and the food is then brought to you. The man who took my order was particularly patient, helpful and friendly.

I was determined to choose something other than my usual chicken pitta, and so opted for the Prego steak roll with garlic and the restaurant’s famous peri peri sauce - £10.20 with one side included, £11.85 with two. I opted for the latter and chose spicy rice and macho peas (pea mash, whole peas, parsley, mint and chilli) and we added two bottomless (you refill your own from a central station) drinks.  

My husband selected a half chicken, marinated in mango and lime,  with coleslaw and chips costing £9.95, whilst our daughter had her usual Nandinos meal from the under-10s menu which includes a main, two sides and an ice lolly or frozen yoghurt for £5.25. Fruit cordial or organic milk are extra. We chose plain chicken breast fillet strips, sweet potato mash and the ice lolly.     

It didn’t take long for all of the elements to arrive, and everything was hot and enticing. Portions were not excessive, but just right for what large and small bellies could take.

We loved the macho peas, and our daughter tucked into everything with gusto, always a good sign. It was generally tasty and delicious, save for the steak, which was too tough and needed aggressive sawing with a knife.        

Even though we had forgotten to add a pot or two of Nando’s own mayonnaise, a server took this order from our table. We were also able to order dessert in this manner, which was a nice added touch not having to re-queue given that the restaurant was now absolutely heaving with weekend diners. We shared a slice of chocolate cheesecake at £4.15, which came with a little pot of double cream and was very rich, very sweet and very good!

For the price, convenience, speed and taste, it is hard to beat what Nando’s is offering and our Basingstoke branch is a pleasant place to eat. It is no wonder that celebrities value their Nando’s cards – which allow them to eat for free when they like – so highly.