Journey to Hong Kong - FEASTING IN MACAU: THE COTAI CENTRAL STRIP (Part 1 con't)

MADEIRA PORTUGUESE RESTAURANT

We found this gem when we are (again) on a hunger streak. We had visited the old Macau town that day, arrived back at Cotai Central late in the evening, and ready to eat all the huge potted plants at the Galaxy Macau lobby. There is a shuttle bus service that brings us directly into old Macau, but the service is only available at The Galaxy Macau, this newish humongous swanky hotel at Cotai Central. From Galaxy Macau we walked to The Venetian Macau and picked our dinner place.

Settling down at Madeira Portuguese Restaurant, we ordered grilled squid (local lingo: sotong), roasted pork knuckles and baked rice; all prepared Portuguese style, and topped it all off with a bottle of white wine. This, being my first time sampling Portuguese food, I harbour no expectations. However, as a general meal, the food is not bad, though a tad too expensive (it is, after all, located in The Venetian). I especially liked the grilled squid with its vinaigrette-styled dip, a little sour and salty. The roasted pork knuckle is like all roasted pork knuckle, nothing to shout about. I liked the pickled salad that they serve with the pork knuckle though; it revs up the appetite with its sour tangy flavour. The service is also top notch, with polite attentive wait staff. However, it could be that it was late and there were not much diners.

Grilled squid with dip.

Roasted pork knuckles with pickled vegetable salad.

Baked rice.

We chose to seat al fresco to enjoy the cool night air, to dine with the blanket of stars above our head, to people watch and to absorb the beautiful ambience outside. No regrets, it is really cooling outside…

The streets are so clean! 

…because it is air-conditioning! The Venetian has a shopping arcade that is designed to resemble the streets of Venice, but located indoors! It is beautiful. The storefronts looked like real buildings on its own, those that you see in European countries. 

Simulated day time. It is actually midnight already. 

All in all, quite an enjoyable meal with a beautiful atmosphere. Only if you have cash to spare. If not, I will advise you to skip this place and head for something more affordable with equally good food.

You can get more information here.  

(End of Part 1)