The Michelin Guide Set to Be Released This Week
The Michelin Guide 2016 is set to be released on Nov. 5, and so we thought we would give you a quick recap on which restaurants in Macau have stars, which ones don’t and which ones are surely in the running this time around. We have also included a few restaurants that have either opened too late to be considered or have only recently been announced but will be hoping to make an impact in the next 12 months and be included in the 2017 edition.
Gaining or losing a star can make or break restaurants (and chefs) and Michelin know this. Under normal circumstances they send inspectors to visit a restaurant once about every 18 months, but, knowing the power they weild, Christopher Old writes at www.trulyexperiences.com that inspectors make extra visits before demoting or promoting a restaurant.
“If the restaurant is flagged as potentially gaining or losing a star, there will be further visits. Four inspections are required for a one star restaurant gaining its second, while a restaurant looking for the ultimate honour of three stars will be visited at least ten times.”
And while there, they must bear in mind the five criteria they use to judge a restaurant.
Quality of ingredients
Skill in preparation and the combination of flavours
Level of creativity
Value for money
Consistency of culinary standards
Photo: Robuchon au Dôme in the Grand Lisboa
First up are the restaurants in Macau that already have stars. The Lisboa complex dominates here with eight stars spread across four restaurants. Cantonese restaurant Tim’s Kitchen has one star, as does steakhouse The Kitchen, while the remaining six stars are shared between The 8, which serves contemporary Cantonese cuisine in very swish surroundings, and the jewel in the Lisboa’s crown, Robuchon au Dôme, which is considered one of the finest restaurants in Asia. In fact, such is the popularity of Robuchon au Dôme, it is recommended visitors make reservations several months in advance. These two are also the only three-star restaurants in Macau.
King in the AIA building has a single star but it also holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in Macau with a Michelin Star that isn’t part of a casino complex – which is quite a feat. The Cantonese restaurant offers several signature dishes as recommended by the guide, including braised abalone with goose web, and baked chicken with Shaoxing wine; the homemade dim sum are also recommended. There are two two-starred restaurants on the list too: Wynn Macau’s Golden Flower (Chinese) and Zi Yat Heen (Cantonese) at the Four Seasons.
Elsewhere, Wynn Macau collected another star last year when Cantonese restaurant Wing Lei picked up a star. On the Cotai strip Michelin-starred offerings include the Golden Peacock at the Venetian, which is looking to keep its single star for the third year for its excellent Indian food, while Jade Dragon (Cantonese) and The Tasting Room (French contemporary) at City of Dreams (both have one star) will be looking to keep theirs or even garner another one.
That’s a total of 17 stars, but can we expect more or will any of these fine establishments lose a coveted star?
Photo: Saffron in the Banyan Tree Macau
The guide itself has plenty of entries in Macau with honorable mentions, but fall short, to varying degrees, of getting a star. Saffron in the Banyan Tree is “impeccably run” and dishes are “all prepared in a contemporary way while staying true to authentic flavours,” which we agree wholeheartedly with. “Don't miss the mango sticky rice” the guide says, with which we also wholeheartedly agree with.
Photo: Mezza9 in the Grand Hyatt Hotel Macau
Mezza9 in the Grand Hyatt Hotel is, according to Michelin, “ideal for those who can never decide on what nationality of cuisine they fancy but who do like a little theatre with their food”. The several show kitchens offer plenty of options – from sushi to Macanese specialties and their latest addition, delicious Thai.
Photo: Il Teatro in the Wynn Macau
Il Teatro is a favourite of ours and it seems we aren’t the only ones, and not only for the food. “To recommend a restaurant whose appeal lies beyond its cooking may be a little odd, but at Il Teatro it seems most diners turn up primarily to watch the stunning fountains.” Perhaps the lack of a star is hinted at by the Michelin guide when they say “the cuisine is straightforward Italian fare, such as seafood risotto or pasta, served with style and élan”.
Photo: Don Alfonoso 1890 in the Grand Lisboa
From one Italian to another. Don Alfsono 1890 in the Grand Lisboa has an “opulent dining room [that] features dozens of red Murano chandeliers and a huge fresco of the Italian coast”. The food however is great, using “well-selected ingredients and flavours are clean and sharp”. “If you're lucky, you'll be here during one of the owner's quarterly visits when he prepares his own tasting menu,” which we were.
Photo: Privé in Sofitel Macau
Interestingly, another favourite of ours is Privé at Sofitel Macau, but it isn’t included in the guide at all. With over 15 years working in Michelin-starred kitchens, French chef Jean-Francois came on board over the summer and could perhaps be just what the restaurant needs to give it a boost and get it into the Michelin guide.
Photo: Vida Rica Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Macau
Being the only restaurant hosed in the Mandarin Oriental, Vida Rica caters to both Western and Chinese tastes, offering dim sum and other Chinese dishes alongside Portuguese and classic-meets-contemporary French cuisine created by Dominique Bugnand, Director of Culinary Operations and Food & Beverage.
Photo: Fook Lam Moon in the Galaxy Macau
It’s surprising that the Galaxy can hold no stake in a star, but with the brand new 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA outlet which just saw its official opening last month; Lai Heen, the Cantonese restaurnt in The Ritz-Carlton; and Fook Lam Moon, an outlet who’s original branches in Hong Kong have received stars in the past, it will be no surprise when the Galaxy Complex is on its way to being on the Michelin-guide’s radar, if not this year then next.
Studio City has recently announced that Alain Ducasse and Alan Wang will be opening outlets in the hotel next year which will surely grace the newest hotel in Macau with a coveted star (or a few!) in the coming years.
To see every restaurant Michelin has rated, in one way or another, click here.
