The Fragrant Harbour Chinese Restaurant

The Fragrant Harbour Chinese Restaurant

The Fragrant Harbour is a located in a parade of shops on the main road through Heald Green, South Manchester, just a short hop from the airport. Externally it looks nothing special other than obviously a Chinese restaurant nestled in a very 1970's architectural situation. It has the benefit of shoppers car parking adjacent to the entrance and to the rear.

Its position belies its status as a gem of a restaurant so don't be put off. It is always a pleasure to dine here whether it is for a quick business lunch or for a more leisurely session involving a banquet. It is family run with a friendly and obliging proprietor and staff who are part of the family.

Everybody who dines at the Fragrant Harbour is made very welcome and seated in a small but very nicely appointed, clean restaurant. As well as the normal a la carte choices there is a regular lunchtime menu and also various seasonal menus depending upon the time of year, for example Chinese New Year and Christmas.

The food is beautifully prepared and served immediately, piping hot and fresh. There is obviously individual care gone into the preparation and presentation which sets this apart from a lot of Chinese restaurants. The set banquets are superb, as usual the extent of the contents varies with the number of persons in the party. The prices are typical or a little higher than average but in terms of value for money this restaurant can't be faulted. In a good restaurant like this the banquet is an obvious choice in order to sample as many individual dishes as possible.

Verdict - A restaurant that we recommend visiting that is a cut above the average for quality, service and ambience. Please visit the Fragrant Harbour when in South Manchester, you won't be disappointed.

Phil June 2002