5 July 2009
opinion
Kadumukasa Kironde II
Place: Ranchers Butchers Shop & Grill.
Rating: X.
Location: Garden City Shopping Mall, ground floor.
Food: Grills viz. meat, chicken and seafood.
Service: Good.
Ambience: Good.
Open: Daily.
Parking: In the parking mall, secure and abundant.
Smoke-Free zone: Not sure.
Wheelchair access: Inaccessible.
Ranchers Butchers Shop and Grill is a sort of delicatessen-come-butchery/coffee and cheese house. Actually, the concept of that kind of shop reminds me of Zabar's Epicurean Emporium in New York City over on Broadway and 80th Street on the West Side, albeit without the kitchen appliances, paraphernalia and gadgets from all over the world. Over time, they have become a favourite landmark for the residents of the Big Apple. My first taste of the place in every sense of the word was some time back during the late 60s and even then Zabar's was a dazzling place to behold!
Mind you, Zabar's, the brain child of Louis and Lillian Zabar back in 1934, first started by renting an Appetising Counter in a Dutch Market where their main product was the finest and best quality smoked fish at a fair price, while at the same time roasting coffee - their own coffee. From those humble beginnings over 70 years ago, today Zabar's boasts of being a veritable tour de force. They sell over 3,500 kilos of coffee per week, employ over 250 employees, and occupy almost a whole city block (20,000 square feet); they are open 365 days a year!
To be fair, Zabar's and Ranchers are a world apart save for the fact that they share a commonality in a few of the products that they sell, but then again remember that the former started from even more humble beginnings. Being a delicatessen of sorts means that besides meat they offer cheese such as Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Blue cheese, etc; as well as other sundry items that go with light eating.
In terms of the menu, it goes without saying that the Ranchers menu is relatively a la carte with a variety of steaks entrees, chicken, and some seafood. There is also an array of salads from which to choose. Steaks are popular and are to be recommended; with the steak au poivre being a favourite item for many. They also do grilled fish or chicken and the fries are a cut above the average. The service is efficient and the staff is courteous, while the prices are extremely fair. A meal for two with a couple of soft drinks will set one back around Shs35,000.
As for those of you who like to plan ahead and intend to shop in the mall, it might be wise to place your order before hand and avoid unnecessarily waiting for your food to be cooked.
Last but not least, should you be a loyal customer of the Ranchers butcher, you will be pleased to note that they now have a branch at Nakumatt Oasis albeit without the dining part.
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