Macau
59 The Strand, Tauranga
Ph: (07) 578 8717
Hours: Open Monday to Friday 11am to late/Sat-Sun 10am to late. Licensed.
www.dinemacau.co.nz
On the menu: Contemporary Asian cuisine, a fusion of east meets west. With vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo options alongside pork belly, octopus balls, beef cheek, salmon and duck, there
is something for everyone. The menu is nicely organised into sections for tapas and starters- all designed to share-and mains. There is also a banquet menu available for large groups, and an extensive cocktail menu.
Sitting outside in the evening sun, I order a raspberry, white peach and cinnamon Bellini while my friend goes for the Viola-gin with lemon, sugar and egg white and blueberry rosemary shrub. Refreshing and a little bit naughty, Macau would be perfect for a night out with the girls but we were here for some serious dining.
I'll have: Tuna Tataki ($24 sashimi tuna with watercress, crispy rice,
sweet ginger dressing). Tuna is my go-to and this was delightfully tasty with the crispy rice an interesting texture, like a sort of rice hash brown. Foramain, I had the Grilled King Salmon ($31) with soba noodles, watercress salad, wasabi tabiko dressing). The rich velvety salmon meat was offset by the slight piquancy of the watercress. We shared a side of Wok Fried Vegetables-Chinese broccoli, baby bok choy, sesame oil and Shaoxing wine-a creative mix of sweet and sour which could make a dish in its own right.
