Il Teatro Sets the Stage for Fine Dining in Macau
On the second floor of Wynn Macau, overlooking the performance lake, is the aptly named Ristoriante Il Teatro. Built to overlook the elaborate water and fire shows that happen every 15 minutes outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, it lives up to it’s name.
Chef de Cuisine Anthony Alaimo has been with Wynn Macau since it opened in 2007. His Italian-American background and extensive restaurant experience made him the perfect candidate to lead Il Teatro.
As we took the elevator up to the entrance, we were greeted at the door and asked if we would like our rather large bag put away for us as we dined. Located right in front of the performance lake, the table was in arguably the prime spot of the entire restaurant as it gave unobstructed views.
After we sat down our drink orders were taken. With the exhaustive wine and cocktail menu there is no lack of variety and you will certainly not be wanting for choice. Just as our drinks arrived, the first show started. Colored streams of water and occasional bursts of flame danced rhythmically to accompanying music, which runs the gamut from Luck Be a Lady by Frank Sinatra to Bonnie Tyler’s Hero. With a different show every 15 minutes there was never a dull moment.
The restaurant specializes in traditional Italian cuisine, and we tried three out of the six signature dishes available.
To start, we had the grilled Maine lobster panzanella salad with avocado and citrus dressing (MOP218). It was refreshing and light, and the citrus was a great compliment to the sweet lobster and avocado. The bread was the perfect texture and wasn’t in the least bit soggy.
The black angel hair pasta with Sicilian red prawns, baby squid and spicy Italian sausage (MOP318) was hearty and incredibly flavorful. The squid and shrimp were both cooked to perfection and tasted very fresh. The flavourful sauce at the bottom of the dish was more like a broth, but it was a perfect accompaniment to the thin pasta.
Our favorite dish, however, was the pan-seared Queen Bay scallops with artichoke risotto and clams (MOP248). The scallops were divine - buttery and sweet with a smooth texture. The artichokes complimented the smoked clams perfectly, and the risotto was creamy and rich but not too heavy.
To end our meal, we had an incredibly decadent dessert. Looking more like a piece of artwork, our server assured us that everything on the plate was edible, down to the silver chocolate-coated coffee beans that adorned the edge of the plate. Perched atop a serving of white ristretto ice cream was a white chocolate sphere with an intricate pattern. Topped with a slice of hazelnut and crunchy gianduja on top, it was almost too beautiful to eat.
After our experience at Il Teatro, it’s easy to see why it’s a good idea to book weeks in advance, especially if you want to sit in the front row. I know that between the fantastic food and the entertaining performances, we will definitely be back soon.
Open from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday
For reservations call (853) 8986-3648
