1. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Chef Umberto Bombana again pays homage to Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini’s masterpiece 8½ following the three Michelin-starred success of his restaurant of the same name in Hong Kong. That film is a celebration of life and here inside Galaxy Macau that’s exactly what groups will find and experience.
What’s it like? Bombana’s success has been built on the attention to detail in the cuisine and in the service – and in Macau he matches that winning formula. The décor is all discreet elegance, designed to transport diners away from the hustle and bustle outside, while the menu showcases Bombana’s signatures, such as the Greffeuille AAA lamb rack and loin.
For groups Bombana’s motto is “simple but refined” and the great charm is a relaxed atmosphere that allows diners to enjoy the flavours and the company they’re in. Up to 80 can be catered for if the entire main dining room is booked, while private rooms can handle tables of eight and 10.
2. Lai Heen
From its vantage point 51 floors up at The Ritz-Carlton, Lai Heen casts its gaze out over Cotai, which has fast become one of the world’s great cityscapes at night as it sparkles beneath. The finest Cantonese cuisine on offer is fit for VIP groups too, just like that view.
What’s it like? Led by chef Bill Fu Man Piu, a man previously with The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong’s Tin Lung Heen (two Michelin stars), the interiors here – all high ceilings and mirrored fittings – are designed, they say, to help stimulate conversation. And the menu, in true Cantonese tradition, is also meant for sharing with
Chef Fu famed for twists on traditional dishes such
as char-grilled barbecued Ibérico pork.
For groups Open spaces and wide windows make the most of the stunning views. There’s room for 62 in the main room or 68 – combined – across five private dining rooms, including the largest one in the city, featuring a table that seats 22.
3. Jade Dragon
There’s a sense that you’re being let in on a secret when you enter Jade Dragon, on the second floor of the City of Dreams, what with its low-key lighting. But this is a secret that is widely shared – a fact ensured of course by word of mouth, thanks to its Michelin star, and its faultless service.
What’s it like? Open kitchens, expansive green views from the main dining area, pebble-like interiors in the private dining rooms – this is a place to suit the mood you want for your gathering. Chef Tam Kwok Fung’s fame is spreading, thanks to his menu featuring roasted goose and Ibérico pork.
For groups The food will make them want to feast and there’s plenty of space to do so. The entire restaurant can been booked, plus there are 11 of those ultra-private dining rooms to choose from, catering from four to six people, and to 40-50.
4. Zi Yat Heen
Tucked away on the ground floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, Zi Yat Heen is an oasis for local devotees of Cantonese cuisine, and for visitors who want to introduce themselves to its dishes in their finest form. Such high standards have seen Zi Yat Heen awarded two Michelin stars.
What’s it like? The full scope of Cantonese food is fully explored by executive
chef Sammy Ho Pui Yung and his team, from inventive takes on dim sum traditions to the freshest of local seafood, and on to such timeless favourites as Peking duck. High ceilings and great use of natural lighting ensure a relaxed ambiance, perfect for tapping into the sommelier’s knowledge of the glassed wine cellar’s wide selection.
For groups A restaurant that lives right up to its reputation with a menu that constantly surprises. Such is the popularity of the main room, only the private dining rooms can be booked out completely, but the main one of the three available can seat up to 20 people comfortably.
5. Bene
For planners seeking a more laid-back atmosphere for groups, there is Bene’s trattoria-style eatery in Sheraton Macao. This is proving popular with delegates in the Cotai Strip for its Italian staples, extensive wine list and something that’s quite unique in Macau – a place where you can go al fresco.
What’s it like? Homely, bright and open in one half, darker and more intimate in the other – the idea being you can have the best of both worlds. Regulars praise the consistency of the food, and the whole home-away-from-home nature of everything from the staff to the hand-made pasta at which the kitchen excels.
For groups Ample space for close to 300 people in the dining room, should that be the need, while the latest addition is a garden-fringed al fresco area that can cater for up to 100 with a tapas-style menu and little extras such as a sound system and big screen.
