If you haven't yet, what have you been doing with your life?!
Seriously, read my rave review below then book a table FAST!
Do it now online here. (I booked a table this way - it's so easy and fast.)
Book now before they sell up, make a mint and move to Hawaii.
Then it will be too late for you, my friend.
Last night I experienced simply the best Chinese restaurant. My mouth is still reliving the taste memories - in a good way!
Let me tell you all about it...
I say 'experienced' because when you go, it's not just any old place, serving any old chinese food served by any old staff.
This is the bees knees of eating in Manchester.
Lisa Tse - the Owner
I already knew about Sweet Mandarin from a distance because I follow Lisa Tse's (the owner) excellent tweets on Twitter ( @sweetmandarin ). I was sold already.
Lisa is one of those very friendly genuine people who you meet online and who turns out to be even better in person. For any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, she's well worth getting to know. Just look around her website to see what she's been achieving whilst the rest of us were having an extra hour's lie in;
- Gordan Ramsay's F Word Best Local Chinese Restaurant 2009/2010,
- she runs a successful restaurant
- and cookery school,
- is a whizz on the social media front
- she hosts regular tweetups, networking and Linkedin meets at her restaurant
- and she isn't just the figurehead either. She's in there where it counts.
She's smart, open, passionate about her business, hard working and seriously going places. Good for her! Let's hear it for the sassy successful females!
She's now officially one of my top inspiring business women entrepreneurs that I actively keep a keen eye on. I also want her as my new best friend. I'm sure she's inundated with more suitable applications for the post of BFF, but I'll apply whenever a new vacancy arises! You never know.
Sweet Mandarin - The Restaurant
The restaurant itself is cosy, informal and has achieved that rare atmosphere of being a cool local eaterie where you just want to hang out ( a bit like Friends and the coffee shop thing) that only the locals know about. I have always so wanted to find a place like that!
But don't worry, if you are older then 30, it's not sooo painfully cool that you feel like everyone's mum/gran. The place was full of a great mix of people just enjoying eating in there.
Even the background music was chilled out - I LOVE that attention to detail.
We were greeted by Lisa (who totally knows her stuff on the old hospitality front - not many do) and all the staff were really fast and friendly.
Oh and patient - we took ages deciding what to eat then nearly 3 hours eating the meal because - well, you know what it's like when you get together with a girlfriend!
I couldn't resist trying such a yummy cocktail - shanghai alley - it was like melted sweets in a cocktail glass. Mmmm. Perfect drink for a girl with a sweet tooth.
The Chinese Food
Then we melted into a delicious mix of dishes.
We had the set menu for two as follows:
First Course
Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup - steaming hot and lovely
Prawn Crackers - with a tasty dipping sauce
Second Course – Appetiser Combo
Seaweed, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Skewer Satay Chicken Sticks, Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs and Prawn Fingers - all yummy and great to be able to try different bits and pieces
Third Course – Mains
Beef Sweet Peppers and Blackbean Sauce - melts in the mouth and makes you want to swim in it!
The Original General Tse’s Sweet and Sour Chicken - the best ever! So very good.
Crunchy Mix
Egg Fried Rice
We were so very full - in the best possible way!
None of the oh-so-common chinese bloat. Just fresh, filling chinese food and lots of it!
The Bill
AND it must be said, what amazing value. It didn't break the bank which is always a pleasant surprise especially for a night out in Manchester City Centre. £17.50 each for the above set menu. Wow. Unbelieveable.
You won't regret it. Just read all the amazing reviews if you still doubt me.
Highly recommended by me ... oh and Gordon Ramsay apparently really rates them highly as well !
(All images copyright Sweet Mandarin)
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