Finale "Matine" Brunch

We finished our summer Macau trip with brunch at Mesa at Grand Lisboa Palace in Cotai. I didn’t have a chance to visit the restaurant when I stayed at the hotel earlier this year, but this time I couldn’t resist checking out their Sunday “Matine” menu with generous spread of classic Portuguese brunch dishes. 

The menu was served family style with everything brought to us at the table and we ended up with more than enough food to pass around among the 10 of us. To start, there’s a choice of egg dishes served in individual portion, each done with a touch of Portuguese flair. I like my Egg Benedict served with smoked sardine and port reduction on top. 

Next was the series of cold appetizers. The oysters served 3 ways were solid, and so was the octopus salad with kimchi vinaigrette. Roasted sardine was served as open sandwich with tomato and tarragon salad and a sourdough toast underneath. 

It’s followed by another series of hot appetizer done “Tascas” style. The signature lobster mini-burgers were cute served with a slightly toasted soft bun. I love the crispy “jaquinzinhos” with the baby mackeral fried and eaten whole. That was before the five main courses were presented, from a mixed skewers to chicken piri piri to the salivating “Arroz de Morcela”, or Portuguese stewed rice with black pudding sausage. 

Dessert is the only course that we need to pick at the bar counter. The Pao de lo de Ovar reminded me of the local style egg sponge cake wrapped in parchment paper. It looked ordinary but I loved the rich eggy flavor. 

What an end to our fun weekend Macau trip – let’s do that again soon! 

When? July 30 2023
Where? Mesa by Jose Avillez, Level 3, The Karl Lagerfeld, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort, Cotai, Macau
Menu Highlights? Ovos Benedict com Sardinha (Eggs Benedict with smoked sardine and port wine reduction)
Drinks? Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 
Web: www.grandlisboapalace.com/en/restaurants-n-bars/mesa