SEASONAL GLUTTONY

Ready for the holidays? If you decide to stay in Macau, the streets will be packed with tourists and it will be anything but pleasant and comfortable. Nevertheless, there is still hope for enjoying the wonderful season, but it really depends on your choice of venue for wining and dining. Fortunately, there are restaurants and chefs around town who are dedicated to tantalizing your senses and creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Let me tell you who they are.

Mandarin Oriental, Macau
Those of you who read my column regularly know I am a fan. Mandarin Oriental, Macau celebrates this festive season with good taste, presenting an array of appetizing menus, themed afternoon teas and cocktail drinks, indulgent Christmas desserts, gorgeous gift hampers and takeaway meals.
On Christmas Eve, diners can savour a delightful six-course dinner created by Chef Dominique Bugnand at the hotel’s signature Vida Rica Restaurant, while enjoying beautiful views of the South China Sea. The menu includes pine leaf smoked Boston lobster, slow braised organic turkey breast with black truffle, and roasted Wagyu beef tenderloin roll with pumpkin. A petite version with four dinner courses is available on Christmas Day. Both menus offer wine pairing options.
On 31 December, Vida Rica Restaurant welcomes the New Year with a splendid eight-course dinner set that features smoked Royale Cabanon oyster with celery and apple escabeche, Brittany blue lobster in saffron rock fish bisque, poached monkfish with geoduck carpaccio, and Kagoshima beef striploin. The menu also offers a choice of wine pairing.
If you are spending your evenings at home, you can still spend an afternoon in style with friends and family at the chic Vida Rica Bar and relish its culinary delight, Afternoon FANtasy.
From 24 to 28 December 2014 and from 1 to 4 January 2015, a personalized selection of chefs’ signature sandwiches and desserts will be offered along with a choice of premium coffee, tea or a hot Valrhona chocolate made with the preferred flavour. Cocktail lovers can try the Gluehwein Martini throughout December, featuring a well-shaken mix of German mulled wine, Cointreau and lemon juice.
To satisfy guests’ gift-giving needs, Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop is offering the Deluxe Hamper and the Supreme Hamper. Both are filled with wonderful treats, such as rum and dried fruitcake, Christmas stollen, wine, champagne and more. Created by Executive Pastry Chef Sabastien Bernis, a selection of exquisite, eye-catching desserts are also available. In addition, you can perfect Christmas celebrations at home with the traditional roast turkey and honey-glazed ham, available for takeaway from 1 to 26 December.

 Sands Macao
Rated one of the best steakhouses in Hong Kong and Macau, Copa Steakhouse features an open kitchen, allowing guests to appreciate the talented chefs at work preparing the restaurant’s signature dishes. Their four-course Christmas dinner offered on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day features a wide range of dishes to choose from, including hamachi ceviche with avocado and black pepper crackers, pan roasted foie gras, pan-fried salmon cake with tomato salsa and mint sauce, beef wellington, bacon-wrapped scallops and of course roasted turkey with all the trimmings. There will also be Christmas pudding, walnut pie and crème brûlée for dessert. The four-course New Year’s Eve dinner will include Oysters Rockefeller, mushroom soup with black truffles and fried leeks, grilled U.S beef tenderloin, roasted rack of lamb and a selection of desserts. Guests can choose one item from each course.