Take It Away: Ranch, Wilmslow Road, Manchester

Once the Curry Mile was the centre of all things from the Asian subcontinent.
With the influx of newcomers from all corners of the globe you will be hard pressed to find a good Indian anywhere.
As we walked into the 'Ranch' we were quickly seated and the environment did not disappoint.
Well appointed and thought out, here we have a mixture of booths and seating and unlike previous creations there is no hiding to how the food is prepared.
The transparency of the open kitchen allows you to watch how your meal is being prepared and it alleviates any fears.  It creates an immediate trust and connection between the patrons and the proprietors.
However, the proof of the pudding as they say is always in the eating.
The menu is vast from wings to burgers to steaks to the now obligatory peri peri.   I ordered a varied palate.
There only seemed to be two chefs on duty and they were doing their best as the place was getting busy. I have to say they coped admirably.
The starter of spicy meat nachos didn't need culinary expertise mind. It was a concoction of nachos with some  pieces of meat swimming in cheap sauce.
The French up the road in the Midland can rest easy with this one. Coming in at £7.99 it was barely enough for two people never mind four.
The mains consisted of T Bone steak, Shepherd’s pie, Steak bombs and the new 100% organic homemade gourmet burgers.
Understandably, It took a while longer to turn up but was  fresh we were reliably informed.
The T Bone came well done and at £13.95 was a decent price to pay. Maybe a sizzler plate could be something they could add?
The steak was infused with flavour and of a very decent size.  The accompanying steak cut chips and vegetables were all cooked well and there was not much wrong with the dish.
The Shepherd's pie was bland, inspiration seemed to be Iceland’s finest halal, devoid of any kick or flavour much to the chagrin of the wife and daughter.
The fusion of any flavour from anywhere but Urmston up the road was the verdict. The spicy rice accompanying it missed the 'spice' unfortunately. He gives with one hand and takes with other.
The burgers the kids had had more meat,  Or so they told me.
Having put a exclusion zone around the fayre I don't know whether they enjoyed it or were just hungry like me. But reliably now informed ‘this was better than the kids place up the road’.  A nearly empty plate is usually proof.
The steak bombs are steak wrapped in pastry garnished with salad.
I think Greggs do something and they sell to the feckless everyday – 2 for 99p under the guise of a sausage roll.
Some hits some misses. But one to watch out for and to be given a chance to grow and improve for sure. 
Maybe there's better on the menu like the steak. Maybe the buffalo wings is one to think about on the next visit.