A Peri Peri Special Treat

The family was out and about during the last three-day Eid holiday. On the second day of Eid, we went to Qanat Al Qasba in Sharjah for a Peri-Peri special treat.

QAQ is a stone throw away from where we live, it is the place with the iconic Ferris Wheel called Eye of the Emirates which you cannot miss when you drive around Sharjah Al Khan corniche. Funny enough, I haven't blog about this gem of a place even I have been here for so many times. (I didn't mean to keep it for myself!)

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Qanat Al Qasba #qaq Eye of the Emirates #sharjah #sharjahblogger #myyellowbells #smileyoureinsharjah

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 Al Qasba was a picturesque display of festivities during the Eid Holiday. It was bright, buzzing with people, children running around wearing happy faces while their baba and mama seat and relax al fresco in front of packed eateries. Live mime comedy acts and some science experiment show was there for the kids too. On both ends of each of the two buildings were quirky and exciting fun rides for kids and adults as well. This outdoor amusement area is a permanent thing here in QAQ so if you are looking for a place to take your children during the weekends, it's one  place I can recommend. Rides doesn't come cheap though but almost the same with those in the malls.

When you go to QAQ, you are suddenly transported to another place. It is said to be the Venice of UAE with abras and self operated motor rafts with flashing blue lights ferrying passengers to and fro the canal waters. We wanted to try it but it was fully booked already when we asked the operators, they were really busy.

It was actually dinner time when we arrived in Al Qasba. As initially planned, we took a table for five at the newly refurbished family-friendly Nandos Restaurant. We actually needed to wait for a few minutes to be seated because the diner was full.

 I've been to other Nandos branches a couple of times before and was always impressed by its ambiance and the food never disappoints so when I heard the news that the QAQ branch reopened after the renovation, I did not pass the chance to visit.

Keane, the interior company in-charged of its beautiful design did a great job. Keeping Nandos Afro-Portugese roots, the restaurant features large willow suspended rafts, which are inspired by unique South African textiles, while the perimeter wall sees rammed, earth green plaster combined with the curved oxide metal louvered screen adding a warm, natural texture to the space.

supplied photo

Supplied photo

Colorful, handpicked artworks, provided by the Nando’s Arts Initiative, adorn the walls ensuring that whether South African or not, customers will feel right at home the moment they walk into the Al Qasba outlet.

The signature open kitchen and grill allows customers seated nearby to watch as the grillers prepare sizzling butterfly-cut halal chicken pieces, fresh crispy salads, perfectly seasoned fries, and of course delicious kiddies’ meals, ready to satisfy the whole family! When you enter the restaurant, you will be greeted by the wafting aroma of the peri-peri chicken.

We were seated in this beautiful nook with birds eye view of the whole restaurant. It feels snug and homey yet chic and elegant.

A meal platter with a whole chicken cut into four pieces, marinated and flame-grilled to perfection and slathered with our choice of lemon and herb sauce keeping it kid friendly, two super sweet corn-on-a-cob and some potato wedges for our side dishes and 2 bottomless drinks was good enough for us to share. I just added some Peri-Peri humus and pita as requested by Mica-she likes hummus a lot and an extra drink and a bottle of water.

my grilled goodness!! look at these!!!

side dish overload

While enjoying our meal, we couldn't help but notice how customers come and go that even the outdoor tables were already full. Nando's have a massive following in the UAE with 14 branches each has its won unique design but keeping its earthy design and colors.

All that starts well ends well and so dessert was served. We had cheesecake with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream 

and then some nutella in huge jars.

and then a bike ride along the canals

We were actually expecting a fireworks display but we were told that it was only set on the first night of Eid instead of all three nights. With or without pyrotechnics, it was still indeed a beautiful Eid night at Al Qasba and a wonderful dining experience at Nandos.

Nando's Restaurant
Ground Level, Al Qasba
Al Taawun Road, Sharjah
+9716 556 6033

Bike Hire - AED 20 for 30 minutes
Abra Hire- AED 100
Self Operated Motor Raft - AED 50 for 15 minutes for 4 people