Page 121 - Hong_Kong_&_Macau's_Best_Restaurants_English_edition

MACAU RESTAURANTS
EUROPEAN

BELON TEMPTATIONS
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31/F, Banyan Tree Macau Avenida Marginal Flor de Lotus, Cotai, Macau Level 16, StarWorld Hotel, Avenida da Amizade, Macau
TEL: +853 8883 6090 TEL: +853 8290 8688
www.banyantree.com/en/cn-china-macau www.starworldmacau.com
There are few restaurants in Macau with an entrance as dramatic as that of This is definitely a restaurant that will surprise you. The contemporary
Belon, where diners descend a mysteriously lit, ocean-blue staircase into a European restaurant, located on the 16th floor of the StarWorld Hotel,
cavernous dining room with nicely spaced out tables. This is a prime venue features an open layout that reveals the dining room as soon as diners
for intimate dinner dates or birthday celebrations, with diners flocking to emerge from the elevators. The space may look a little bit like your typical
sample the restaurant’s extensive oyster selection (try the eponymous breakfast lounge, albeit with more stylish birdcage booths and light wood
Belon variety, when it is available) and tipples from the Moët & Chandon tones, but don’t let it fool you as the food and service are on par with some
champagne bar. The room is dimly lit, and so the menus are designed so that of the best fine dining establishments in town. For lunch, a set menu is
they glow with light upon opening; the wine list is also presented on an iPad, available as well as a-la-carte. Should you decide to share your dishes with
with helpful tasting notes throughout. Despite the fine dining environs, the your dining partner, the kitchen are more than happy to divide and plate the
portions are heartily generous and the service chatty and friendly. The Belon portions on separate dishes for easy sharing. Portions are quite generous,
smoked scallop is served with a Caesar salad presented on a large platter so we suggest ordering only one of the lobster bisque as it is large enough
and is large enough for two to share. While we raise our eyebrows at the for two people; same with the arroz de marisco, a Portuguese seafood rice
description of a 6oz “ladies cut” tenderloin, we can’t fault the with great flavours. Staff are great at suggesting recommended dishes and
dry-aged steaks cooked on the grill. Order the rosemary wine pairings as well as explaining how the dish is cooked. The overall dining
potatoes to complement your mains. experience is impressive and Temptations represents a great value.

INTERNATIONAL

CHA BEI VIDA RICA

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1047, 1/F, Galaxy Macau, Estrada 2/F, Mandarin Oriental Macau,
da Baía da Nossa Senhora da No. 945, Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen,
Esperança, Cotai, Macau Macau
TEL: +853 8883 2221 TEL: +853 8805 8918
www.galaxymacau.com www.mandarinoriental.com/
macau
Rendered in soft pastel tones,
dreamy marble and luxurious The high quality that comes with
fabrics, Cha Bei is the epitome the Mandarin Oriental name is
of feminine elegance. The found at Vida Rica in both the
name refers to the Mandarin Vida Rica offers service and the food. With two
pronounciation for ‘teacup’ and, international favourites in distinct style of cuisine on offer—
indeed, tea is one of Cha Bei’s stylish surroundings Chinese and Western, with one
signature offerings. A global menu chef dedicated to each kitchen—
crisscrossing culinary borders any appetite will be satisfied. The
includes dishes ranging from room is quiet with classical music
lobster bisque with crispy rice to URBAN KITCHEN playing in the background and
aloha poke bowls and duck leg the lighting provides a perfect
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confit. The Cha Bei salad is an 8 setting for date night with your
original mix of seasonal leaves, partner. The selection of dishes
julienned green mango, quinoa, 1/F, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía da Nossa and wine is extensive and the
toasted almonds and an expertly Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macau staff will answer any questions
judged coconut dressing that is TEL: +853 8886 6228 you may have before ordering.
just the right amount of sweet. http://www.marriott.com Any allergies mentioned during
Of course, Cha Bei is a hotspot booking will be remembered and
for afternoon tea as well, and Buffet restaurants are plentiful in Macau, but Urban Kitchen at JW Marriott taken into consideration as well.
passersby will find it hard to is a cut above the rest. With dramatic lighting, sophisticated decor and Alaskan spider crab, Korean beef
walk past the display of prettily creative presentation across six different food stations, it’s no wonder and caviar are some of the high-
constructed cakes that are made that each seating is usually packed with diners. Sections dedicated to quality items found on the menu
on site—a Black Forest gateau was Macanese and Portuguese specialties are highlights, as is the Peking duck and vegetarians also have plenty
deliciously balanced—without station where the glossy roasted birds are carved and folded into pancakes of options to choose from. We
stopping. Since it’s billed as a for you for easy eating. The vegetables section includes your usual recommend the The slow-cooked
lifestyle café, the front section selection of fresh produce, with the addition of ready-tossed salad options Australian lamb rack, which is
of the venue sells fun products such as smacked cucumber salad and spicy green papaya salad with beef. an impressively plated piece de
ranging from cheeky greetings The dessert station is a highlight even if you don’t have a sweet tooth— resistance served with yoghurt
cards to doughnut-shaped lighter options such as chilled osmanthus jelly are available alongside aubergine, hay potato and lemon
cushions to cocktail-flavoured lavish cakes and puddings, plus several soft serve ice cream machines. jus. For dessert, the Valrhona
gummies, all curated by founder Service is swift and staff are accommodating, and remain professional even chocolate tart is a dream, served
Joanna Lui. at peak hours. with two scoops of sorbet.

T .DINING 2018 | 119