Kung Hei Fat Choi, everyone! The first and fourth quarter of each year is always filled with festivities and celebratory happenings in Macau; meanwhile, lovebirds in town are exceptionally blessed with three versions of Valentine’s Day (Yuanxiao, February 14 and March 14) within the first three months of the year, or make that four by the time we hit July (counting Qixi).
But on the flip side of that coin, those of us living in the parallel universe of Singleton have to endure waves of “rubbing it in the face”. With a proven track record of over six years in managing Valentine’s Days as a bachelorette, I have a decent portfolio of hide-outs with my clan to combat this highly commercialised occasion.
My first go-to has always been Churchill’s Table, for its beautiful and delicious pastries and cakes. My dear friend Chef Guillaume Coulbrant has recently returned to The Londoner, and once again takes the helm of all things sweet and flaky at the property. Guillaume’s signature Blueberry Cheesecake has a way of putting a smile on my face on any tough day. However, my favorite is his Parisienne Flan (now available at The Conservatory) with its rich and velvety egg mixture that easily makes any day (or night) glitter. I always grab a cheese croissant as my morning-after breakfast in case the V-day syndrome has not completely subsided by then.
Grill 58 is at the top of my list for a singleladies get-together. The abundant selection of aged-beef from different regions of the world is the culinary equivalent of flipping through a Firefighter’s Calendar – spoiled for selection while you drool over every piece of meat! To top it off, my friend Chef Tiago Reis also introduces different cuts of steak table-side with a gueridon, which is then prepared over a firewood grill; and trust me, Chef Tiago could easily be included in the annual Chef’s Calendar – if there were one!
This is certainly, I think, not the best place to go for a date, especially in the earlier stages of a relationship, because girls tend to mask ourselves with a controlled appetite. But how could you not
fill your belly with half of the a la carte menu over a few bottles of fine wine? Definitely a girls-only
affair at this restaurant!
Another on my list would be Justindia -a recent gem of Indian cuisine on the Macau Peninsula. Chef Justin Paul curates a menu that encompasses flavors and spices from five regions of India. With different levels of spiciness that seep through delicately presented courses throughout
the tasting menu, only the single clan would appreciate not having to worry about getting a
romantic smooch or two by the end of the evening.
So, that’s my two cents of what to do on the various Valentine’s Days this year. I guess I shall be seeing some of you at one of these outlets and a toast will definitely be necessary!
