Bene Italian Restaurant - (Macau)

  At the newly opened Macao Sheraton Hotel,  my fellow blogging friends were invited to their new Bene Italian restaurant for a tasting event – since I was coming for another event anyway,  we came to here for dinner to try out their Female Italian Mama Chef’s food.   It was not only cheap and good,  but the flavours and portions were just as you find in Italy.  This is highly recommended if you visit Macau next time but do beware of the huge portions of hearty Italian food.

Entrance.

 

The Back Dining Hall.

 

 

Bar and Caffe Area -
The original ‘BARISTA’ works at 1 of these stations and looks after both coffees and drinks.

 

Italian Produce -
To be used in the cooked dishes and pizzas.

 

 

Bread Basket with 4 Dips -
With a Truffled Butter on offer on the side..

Cheese Platter -  $128
Came a little earlier than we expected during the course of the meal. The Tomino cheeses stood out for flavour, our Taleggio definitely begs for baking to bring out it's best cowy aroma. The Grana Padano was crystalline-like but with a fruity sweetness that will rival it's sister parmesan Parmeggiano. Served with drizzled honey if wished. ~ 8/10

 

Tuna Carpaccio di Tonno, with Tomato and Oregano Crema,
Mozzarella, Black Olives, etc. - $160
Huge amount of tuna for the price but it was a little weak in taste however? Getting there.. ~ 6/10

 

 

Carpaccio of Beef with Lemon Cream, Rocket Leaves and Parmesan Cheese - $100
Am surprised this costed $60 less than the above dish and yet so cowy and stronger, an addition of salt really brought out the potential flavours. This was one of the better Carpaccios I ate in Hong Kong and Macau region and one of the must orders. Price and portions wise it was excellent. ~ 8/10

 

Burrata Cheese with Tomato and Sweet Basil Oil - $120
This was actually quite fresh decent and mozzarella-like enough in terms of fresh cheese taste. Definitely up there with the best offerings out there in HK and Macau region. A nice surprise and very cheap.. I think it needed more Basil leaves but.. ~ 8/10

 

Seared Hokkaido Scallops with Sliced Black Truffles & Asparagus - $158
Their stack of truffles seemed a bit weak today. It wasn't BAD but not too memorable either, the black truffle has lost some flavours? ~ 6.9/10

 

 

Pear Salad with Gorgonzola Blue Cheese - $88
Balanced and slightly Cinnamony poached. Precisely what u need for a salad in the midst of a cooler weather change.. ~ 7/10

 

 

Porcini Soup - $85
Needed more seasoning but it was rich and thick.

 

 

Boston Lobster Chitarra with Porcini Mushroom - $248
Base sauce was half-way between Lobster and Tomatoes taste with a hint of Porcini Mushrooms. The Chitarra pasta wasn't as squarish cut as I envisaged but more like round Spaghetti. Lobster meat was plentiful and cooked well and at only $248 this was good value for the amount of lobster meat. Pasta was al dente too. ~ 7/10

 

 

Spinach and Cheese Ravioli,  Parmesan Sauce and Crisp Prosciutto – $140
Somehow expected a bigger portion for this,  which is opposite of what we felt throughout the night.  It was quite good though and well executed homey food.  ~  7/10

Pizza Quattro Formagi – $148
Fontina, Taleggio, Mozzarella and Gorgonzola.  A thin crispy Roman type.  I normally expect the Taleggio and the Gorgonzola to be very powerful,  in this version it’s a little milder but still good. ~  6.9/10

 

Port Wine Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek with Mashed Potatoes and Fried Beetroots - $298
TOO PRICY for me at this portion vs taste. It was slightly too stringy but still retained moist. Half-way in between but quite winey, there wasn't much beef taste though. I think the Wagyu beef made this more expensive than other dishes, but I really think using normal US or Aust Beef might be better? Getting there but the fried beet strips were addictive to go with the wagyu beef cheek. ~ 7/10

 

 

Tiramisu -
Smooth and cheesy.  Could do with more Marsala wine taste personally.  The Brandy on the menu wasn’t apparent enough,  so wasn’t the espresso.   ~  6.5/10

 

Semifreddo Amaretto with Almond Liquor Parfait - $68
This was half-frozen as per usual semi freddo desserts. We liked his the best with a crispy pastry layer beneath, yet it wasn't very Amaretto almond liquor like in taste but quite likable. ~ 8/10

 

 

Torta di Riso.  Arborio rice tart, Toffeed Mango & Double Cream - $68
The Italian rice pudding is more cake like,   than the French Riz au Lait or the Spanish and Greek versions which I also love. It also carries some fruity element unlike the latters usually.  ~  7/10

 

 

Chocolate Coulant -  $68
This was done quite well here,  at least the outside was dry enough and the inside was slightly runny tonight.    ~ 7/10

 

Vanilla Panna Cotta -
Quite vanilla like with a coffee sauce and chocolate cookie.   ~  7/10

 

I think We were All Surprised in a Positive Way by Bene inside Sheraton Hotel -
The pricing policy was fair,  portions were like one finds in Italy unlike some stingy HK Italian restaurants in town which gives you 1 biteful’s worth for hundreds of dollars.     We already plan to come back to here again on our next Macau trip… 

 

 

Price: Around HKD $300 per Person.
Ease of Access:   4/5  (Inside Macao Sheraton Hotel.  Get off Ferry at Taipa side..)
Food:   ♕♕♕♕ 1/2   Meal was by Invitation

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun  - 11:00am - 23:00pm

Address: 路氹城聖母灣大馬路喜來登金沙城中心地下大堂
Lobby, Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, Coloane-Taipa, Macau.
Ph: (853) 8113 1200