DAYDREAMING AMONG THE CLOUDS

Weekend afternoons are the perfect time for relaxation. Sitting back on a sumptuous chair near the window in the Vida Rica Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Macau on a regular Saturday, I have the rare occasion of doing nothing at all. Absolutely nothing. A design masterpiece, Vida Rica Bar is a sleek meeting place with a chic marble, crystal and chrome design. Impressive double-height floor-to-ceiling windows offer sensational views of the Macau Tower and the city’s waterfront. Staring at the clouds outside on a bright sunny day with my sunglasses on, I let my mind wander among them. Thinking of nothing is a great privilege. I cannot tell you how much I like to empty my mind sometimes. It is a moment of bliss.
Autumn is a wonderful season for narcissistic personalities, because we can have some quiet time all to ourselves before the Christmas holiday starts, when the streets of Macau are uncomfortably packed with tourists.  Determined to treat myself to an ultra-delightful afternoon, I decide to try the Afternoon FANtasy at the Vida Rica Bar.
To start, I order a glass of champagne with a personalized selection of made-on-the-spot sandwiches and exquisite desserts. Before the Afternoon FANtasy begins, a homemade mandarin orange sorbet is served as a welcome refresher to set a relaxing mood and prepare palates for a menu exclusively crafted by Culinary Director Dominique Bugnand and Executive Pastry Chef Sebastien Bernis. Served on an elegant three-tier stand, the chefs’ fantastic creations include a Wagyu beef finger sandwich made with charcoaled squid ink bread, cepe mushroom and Espelette chilli; grilled panini sandwich made with tomato Provence herb bread, 24-month Iberico ham and Portuguese cheese; smoked Tasmanian salmon open face sandwich made with poppy seed beet root bread, smoked caviar and saffron garlic aioli; raspberry financier with pistachio Chantilly cream; rose Champagne jelly with mixed berry caviar, and more. The colorful, sophisticated presentation is a sight to behold.
My decadent afternoon affair continues with an aromatic cup of velvet hot chocolate. Made with Valrhona Guanaja 70% dark chocolate, the cup boasts an intense and robust taste. For those who prefer a milkier version of hot chocolate, Caraibe 66% dark chocolate, which reveals delicate flavors of almond and roasted coffee, and Jivara 40% milk chocolate, which exudes enticing notes of malt and vanilla, are also available.
Set against a stylish backdrop with stunning waterfront views, Afternoon FANtasy fulfills all fantasies about enjoying leisurely afternoons. Appreciating a glass of champagne in the afternoon is no longer only seen in old Hollywood movies with Audrey Hepburn flaunting her pretty face on camera. We can do that too, and as the sun drops below the horizon like a great, big egg yolk, a dazzling night of excitement commences. Life is very good.