Season's Eatings
Photo: Pastry Bar at MGM MACAU offers ham and turkey takeaway offers (check back next week for our roundup of takeaway dinners)
There is certainly no shortage of restaurants in Macau. From authentic Portuguese to exotic Thai, those of us that live here can be thankful the countless dining options never leave us wanting. Once Christmas Eve and Christmas Day roll around, give yourself a break from all the cooking you’ve done throughout the month and let the culinary masters delight you with traditional - or not-so-traditional - holiday meals.
Enjoy a view of Macau with your festive dinner at the Mandarin Oriental’s Vida Rica. Chef Dominique Bugnand has created a six-course Christmas Eve dinner (MOP1,188+ 10% service charge) that includes pine-leaf smoked Boston lobster, slow braised organic turkey breast with black truffle, and roasted Wagyu beef tenderloin roll with pumpkin. On Christmas Day, a smaller four-course meal is available (MOP888+ 10% service charge). Both menus offer wine pairing options. Be sure to visit the Vida Rica Bar for a winter warmer after dinner (details here).
For reservations call (853) 8805 8918
Photo: A very festive dessert at Wynn's Il Teatro
With turkey and ham being the center of most Christmas tables, it can often be hard for vegetarians to find a menu that has been prepared to cater to them. Look no further than the Wynn Macau, which is offering up a four-course vegetarian set-menu (MOP 688 + 10% service charge) at Il Teatro (read our review here). They are of course also offering a four-course set menu for your carnivore dining partners too (MOP1,088 + 10% service charge). The set-menus are offered for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
For reservations call (853) 8986 3663
Photo: House made foie gras torchon, a dish from Aux Beaux Arts Christmas dinner menu
Have a little bubbly with your Christmas at MGM Macau’s French restaurant Aux Beaux Arts (read our review here) where the Christmas brunch (MOP588 + 10% service charge) includes a glass of champagne. There is also a set dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (MOP1,088+ 10% service charge). Festive dishes include house-made foie gras torchon with Sauternes wine jelly crystal and apple and pear chutney; pan seared French scallops on Jerusalem artichoke puree, shaved Perigord black truffle and vanilla infused chicken jus; and Mont Blanc (puréed, sweetened chestnuts topped with whipped cream) with cinnamon infused orange sorbet.
For reservations call (853) 8802 2361
Sheraton’s Italian eatery Bene (read our review here) is also offering a Christmas Day brunch (MOP468 + 10% service charge) that has delectable sharing dishes including macaroni with wild boar sauce; braised beef in red wine; and tiger prawns with artichoke puree. Bene is also offering a Christmas Eve and Boxing Day semi-buffet lunch (MOP248 + 10% service charge) and semi-buffet dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (MOP 698 + 10% service charge).
For reservations call (853) 8113 1200
www.benemacau.com
Photo: Enjoy a festive cocktail at the Galaxy
Head over to the Galaxy for your Christmas dinner and you’ll have numerous options. Arrive early to have a festive holiday cocktail before your meal at The Macallan Whisky Bar & Lounge or Cascades lobby lounge (more details here).
Galaxy's southern Italian restaurant Terrazza is featuring a five-course Christmas Eve set menu (MOP688 + 10% service charge) that starts with winter vegetable salad with lobster; followed by artichoke ravioli; creamy salted cod; guinea fowl; and panettone pudding to finish.
For reservations call (853) 8883 2221
Portuguese/Macanese restaurant Gosto will offer a four-course menu (MOP388 + 10% service charge) on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu features a cod dish to start; followed by pan-fried hake with corn bread; roasted suckling pig with rice for the main course; and sweet rice with coconut and cinnamon for dessert.
For reservations call (853) 8883 2221
Belon will be serving up a decadent five-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner (MOP1,098 + 10% service charge) starting with a fresh chestnut cappuccino; followed by a choice of spider crab salad or white sardine bisque; then grilled octopus; and a choice of pan-seared hapuka grouper or szechuan pepper crusted black pork before the feast is rounded off with a selection of Christmas delights to satisfy your sweet tooth.
For reservations call (853) 8883 6090
Photo: After dinner continue the celebration at CHINA ROUGE
After dinner at the Galaxy, head over to CHINA ROUGE to continue the celebration. On the evenings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this chic performance lounge will host special holiday entertainment to get you in the festive mood, with presents for all. Don’t forget to skip the traditional red and green and don your darkest dress, as the dress code for this event is “glamourous black”. Priced at MOP 680, entry includes two standard drinks.
For reservations call (853) 2888 0888
Photo: Prive at the Sofitel is offering a decadent Christmas meal
For a more Gallic feast, head to the Sofitel, where French restaurant Prive has a Christmas dinner menu (MOP828 + 10% service charge with wine pairing MOP1,188 + 10% service charge) guaranteed to impress. The meal starts with an amuse bouche, which is followed by duck liver terrine; blue lobster ravioli; pan fried scallops; and Australian wagyu beef en croute; before finishing with a chocolate Yule log and mignardises served with coffee or tea.
For reservations call (853) 8861 7213
Photo: Portofino will feature a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu
The Venetian’s Italian restaurant Portofino is offering a five-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner menu (MOP788 + 10% service charge) with the option to add wine pairing (MOP988 + 10% service charge). The Christmas Eve menu includes poached Boston lobster and fennel salad as the appetizer, with pan roasted Pacific grouper as the main course. The Christmas Day menu features poached shrimps as the appetizer, and grilled beef tenderloin with braised oxtail and gnocchi as the main course.
For reservations call (853) 8118 9950
Copa Steakhouse at Sands Macau is offering a four-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner (MOP728 + 10% service charge). Dishes to choose from include ceviche; foie gras salmon cake; beef wellington; bacon-wrapped scallops; and the traditional roasted turkey with the trimmings. For dessert it’s Christmas pudding, walnut pie or crème brûlée.
For reservations call (853) 8983 8222
The Michelin starred French restaurant in City of Dreams is offering a decadent six-course dinner (MOP1,988 + 10% service charge). Chef Guillaume Galliot of The Tasting Room has selected only the finest ingredents for his lavish meal. Dishes using black truffles from Provence, seafood from Brittany and foie gras will be featured on the menu that is available on Christmas Day.
For reservations call (853) 8868 6681
Out of all the offerings around town, perhaps the most traditional British and American fare can be found at the numerous buffets across the city.
Photo: The Grand Orbit features cuisine from all over the world
Eat to your heart’s content (or your stomach’s bursting point) at Conrad’s international buffet restaurant, Grand Orbit. Featuring various cuisines from across the globe including Mediterranean, Western, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese, diners have the option to taste a little of everything from around the world including a selection of iced seafood. There are two separate seatings for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 5:30pm and 8pm (MOP458 + 10% service charge) and 8:30pm and 11pm (MOP498 + 10% service charge). There are also lunch buffet seatings offered at 12pm and 3pm on Christmas Eve (MOP258 + 10% service charge) and Christmas Day (MOP350 + 10% service charge).
For reservations call (853) 8113 8910
Photo: International buffet restaurant Festiva offers traditional holiday offerings
Festiva, Galaxy’s international buffet, restaurant will also be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving both lunch (MOP328 + 10% service charge) and dinner (MOP588 + 10% service charge). Thai restaurant Saffron will also feature a dinner buffet (MOP698 + 10% service charge) on the 24th and 25th with a set lunch available on Christmas day (MOP828 + 10% service charge) which will include a seafood platter,prawn or scallop coconut soup and mains to share. The main dishes include; roasted turkey red curry, grilled US tenderloin, fried whole green grouper, and wok fried asian vegetables. Desserts on offer will be mango panna cotta or coconut mousse with asian petit fours.
For reservations call (853) 8883 2221
Photo: Seafood offerings at Mistral
Sofitel is offering another dining option - a slightly more laid back meal than the one found at Prive - at Mistral. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a seafood dinner buffet (MOP428 + 10% service charge) is served with a glass of sparkling wine as well as a chance to win some prizes including accommodation and dining vouchers. A brunch is also offered (MOP328 + 10% service charge).
For reservations call (853) 8861 7210
Cafe Esplanada, the international buffet restaurant at the Wynn, is offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner (MOP548 + 10% service charge). The first seating is 5:30pm to 8pm; the later session is from 8:30pm to 11pm.
For reservations call (853) 2888 9966
Festively decorated Bambu will include timeless Christmas offerings, which include roasted turkey with sausage and mushroom stuffing and roasted ham with pineapple honey glaze at the carving station. Save room for dessert, which will include a selection of Christmas cookies and traditional Christmas pudding. The buffet is offered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for lunch and dinner (starting at MOP238 + 10% service charge).
For reservations call (853) 8118 9990
Yet another buffet option is Sands restaurant 888 Buffet, offering lunch (MOP168 + 10% service charge) as well as a dinner (MOP318 + 10% service charge) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On top of their regular, vast buffet menu, the restaurant will also feature oysters, chilled seafood, Canadian prime beef rib, roasted US turkey and various Christmas desserts including mince pies and cupcakes.
For reservations call (853) 8983 8222
Photo: Buffet restaurant Feast offers a wide arrange of cuisine and desserts
Finally, Feast at the Sheraton is offering a lunch buffet (MOP268 + 10% service charge ) on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day with traditional roast turkey and stollen (a German fruit cake). The dinner buffet (MOP498 + 10% service charge) is offered on the same days and includes claire oysters, Alaskan queen crab legs and other assorted seafood on ice. There will also be dishes from the tandoor and the restaurant’s signature dessert island including a Yule log and gingerbread men.
For reservations call (853) 8113 1200
The exhaustive options in Macau will not leave you wanting for choice, but be sure to make reservations soon to avoid disappointment. If you happen find yourself in Hong Kong for Christmas be sure to read about the holiday offerings here.
