EUAN MCKIRDY TAKES US TO SOME OF THE WINNING RESTAURANTS IN MACAU’S CASINO STRIP PHOTOGRAPHY BY WARTON LI
There’s more to Macau than the thrill of seeing your number come up on the roulette table, or beating the dealer at blackjack. Smile spends a weekend in this Southern Chinese city, and uncovers some of the best eats around.
MacauSoul
This informal bar and restaurant is run by British expatriate couple David and Jacky Higgins who embraced the relaxed Macanese lifestyle. The couple believe that the food is intended to complement the wine, not vice versa – basically, light bites to go with the varied selection of wines on offer. The menu reflects Macau’s gastronomic influences, with Mediterranean-tinged offerings like home-made hummus, garlic-marinated olives, and East-meets-West-style char siu salad, Portuguese pork-liver paté and without a doubt, the “best cheeseboard in town.”
Particularly popular with the young, local crowd, MacauSoul’s owners are dedicated to music, and the playlist is eclectic with jazz, blues, old-time to Texas swing, country, folk and classical. The staff is also open to playing requests from customers. In March, the hot spot hosted a blues band from Charleston, South Carolina and the eclectic choices of music only added to the ambience and lively atmosphere. 31A Rua de São Paulo, tel: +853 2836 5182, www.macausoul.com
Lei Garden
Set amid the third-floor indoor canals of the vast Venetian Macao Resort Hotel is Lei Garden, one of the most respected Chinese restaurants in the former Portuguese enclave. It is famous for serving a fusion of traditional Cantonese cuisine with inventive twists from the other regions of China.
Established in 2007, the restaurant quickly became a hit with visitors to the hotel and casino resort from all over China and even further abroad.
The Venetian location is the first foray into Macau for the Hong Kong-based group, which has carefully built a solid reputation – two of their Hong Kong locations have received Michelin-star recognition. The group has also won region-wide prestige, having been voted the best restaurant in Asia.
The interiors — designed by notable Italian designer Hernan Zanghellini — feature his stunning walls of marble, and enhance the dining experience at Lei Garden, as does the speedy, cheerful service by its team of fast-talking waiters. The Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n, Taipa, tel: +853 2882 8888
Il Teatro
Its name means “the theater” in Italian, and that’s an apt choice for the open-kitchen Southern Italian eatery at the Wynn. Chefs put on a dazzling show for the diners, showing off a broad range of culinary skills. This amazing spectacle is enhanced by stunning views of Performance Lake, which hosts musically choreographed displays of dramatic water, light, color and fire effects. Il Teatro was selected for inclusion in Condé Nast Traveler Hot List Tables 2007, making it one of the world’s top 95 restaurants and the only one from Macau. Chef du Cuisine Anthony Alaimo whips up genuine Italian cuisine made with the freshest ingredients flown in from around the world. His specialties are handcrafted pastas, appetizers, salads, soups, Italian rice, seafood, and authentic gourmet pizzas. Chef Alaimo, who trained under legendary New York chef Anthony Bourdain, has worked hard to make Il Teatro one of Macau’s must-visit locations. Wynn Casino and Hotel, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau, tel: +853 2888 9966, www.wynnmacau.com
La Paloma bar and restaurant
This delightful restaurant, nestled along the scenic tree-lined Praia Grande Bay in a prestigious residential district of the city is steeped in Macau’s rich past. It’s a living reminder of the Portuguese presence, which continues to influence lifestyles, even a decade after the restoration of Chinese rule. When the Portuguese built the Fortaleza da Barra, a fortress to protect against pirates, a chapel, dedicated to St James was also erected.The remains of both structures are preserved on Pousada de São Tiago, and are in full view of La Paloma diners. Enjoying the Portuguese, Macanese and Spanish specialties while watching the sun set upon this historic background is truly special. Pousada de São Tiago, Avenida Da Republica, Fortaleze De Sao Tiago Da Barra, Macau, tel: +853 2837 8111
Robuchon a Galera
Since 2001, Robuchon a Galera (formerly known as A Galera) in the Lisboa Tower has set new standards for fine dining in the region. Executive chef Joël Robuchon has been named by Gault-Millau Restaurant Guide as the “Chef of the Century”, earning him, and Robuchon a Galera, the only three-star Michelin rating in Macau.
For this reason, chef Robuchon takes a very personal interest in the restaurant and this is why he travels to Macau frequently to maintain his impeccably high standards. This is also why his team of chefs, although they are based permanently in Macau, have all had rigorous training at three-star Michelin restaurants in France.
Clearly the food here would satisfy even the most hard-to-please gourmand. Try the 17-course degustation menu for the ultimate dining experience, including highly adept professional service that is far beyond reproach. Finally, the wine list offers heavenly vintages and was honored last year by Wine Spectator magazine with their annual Grand Award, cited as “one of the greatest wine lists in the world,” a fitting compliment to the 2,800-strong list. Hotel Lisboa, 2-4 Avenida De Lisboa, Macau, tel: +853 2888 3888
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