TORONTO — Nando’s, the South African-based chain of fast-casual chicken restaurants, has opened a new location in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood.
Designed by Toronto-based DesignAgency’s principal Matt Davis and project lead Chiharu Hao, the space draws parallels between South African textures and patterns and Queen Street’s own layered history and artistic culture.
“Nando’s gave us tons of freedom with the design, but they also stayed fully engaged in the process, participating in the reviews and offering high-level comments to keep an eye on authenticity and to ensure it has the right Nando’s flavour,” says Davis, whose firm has also designed other Canadian Nando’s restaurants. “Each location for us is unique and has been an exploration into various aspects and movements within South African art, culture, music and fashion. The desire is not to design a space that stays static and pristine throughout time, but rather a space that evolves and matures, creating a warm, enduring patina.”
The outdoor patio is furnished with custom cedar-planked picnic seating, leading in to the post-modern hostess station with its jazzy, black-and-white backlit panels. A feature light pendant hangs above; contemporary art hangs behind, sandwiched between industrial wall sconces on an exposed brick wall. Across from this entryway extends a communal seating area made of shaped concrete, raw on the edging and front, where it’s fitted with a pre-worn leather banquette; glazed on the back, showing slight imperfections reminiscent of fired pottery. The bench’s clay-like colour and texture pay tribute to artisanal craftsmanship, as well as give a subtle nod to historic culinary utensils. A surrounding jumble of reclaimed chairs and handful of oversized custom lampshades accent the space’s sense of whimsy and textural adventure.
The restaurant’s real showstopper, however, is its 50-foot-long feature wall, which runs from patio curbside through the better part of the building’s interior, becoming the backing for an extended communal booth. The stacked, custom-made concrete blocks, jagged with repeating geometric perforations, are meant to mimic the naturally air-conditioned partitions of many African dwellings. The very oddity of this wall’s existence – a swath of traditional Africa slicing through Toronto’s urban jungle – captures the eye and imagination, enticing curious passersby in for further investigation, and perhaps an extended visit.
The Queen West location offers Nando’s signature menu of chicken, marinated for 24 hours in a secret sauce, flame-grilled and basted in Nando’s peri-peri sauce ($7.45 for ¼ leg/thigh). The menu also includes wraps, salads and a variety of side such as spiced rice and garlic-mashed potatoes.
Nando’s
741 Queen St. W., Toronto
