Gosto Portuguese Food - (Macau)

 The Portuguese Chef who works at GOSTO obviously has a mission on his mind.   He has recently taken a bold move to over-haul the whole menu at this Portuguese restaurant inside Galaxy Hotel,  because he said they aren’t proper Portuguese Food to his liking but too localized as Macau-Portuguese food.   I totally understand his frustration,  imagine if you were in his position and wanting to make a statement.   Some of the fusion dishes are kept here to please normal customers,  but many newer dishes here are much more interesting and authentic Portuguese recipes or at least has kept the right Portuguese spirit.     The below is our Tasting Menu of the Christmas Menu preview:

 

 

Gosto -
There are so many Portuguese-styled restaurants in Macau.
Which are localized?   Which are authentic?   
I bet even the local Macanese can’t tell precisely because sometimes as it is borderline confusing.

 

 

A Portuguese Chicken

 

 

 

Bread Basket with Butter -
The Butter carries the Galaxy Hotel bell logo..

 

 

 

Pan Seared Scallop,  Sautéed Leek & Lemon Cream Soup, Lemon fruit, 
diced Red Onion and Clams Juice -
It looks simple but re-read the description again,  it definitely is thoughtfully planned and it was lovely as a starting soup.   ~  9/10
 

 

 

Slow-cooked Cod Fish Fillet with Cod Fish Tongue & Tomato Rice and Coriander -
The cod fish is sous-vide low temp cooked as per modern cuisines internationally,  it definitely kept the fatty silky texture well.   The highlight was going to be the Cod fish’s tongue,  which is incorporated into the rice which is subtly herbed and topped with tomato and onion salsa.   ~  8.5/10

 

 

 

Cod Fish Tongue -
There’s not much tongue in the dish,  but what’s there tasted like calamari pieces.
Quite limited in each cod fish and glad the Chef decided to serve it as a traditional Portuguese recipe.

 

 

 

Christmas Turkey Leg stuffed with Portuguese Blood Sausage, Mushrooms, Pine nuts,  with Roasted Potatoes and Sauteed Spinach -
The turkey leg is firstly wrapped in Bacon and in the middle filled with a powerful blood sausage filling.  Bold in concept and inspired by a Northern Portuguese dish, this was one of the most memorable turkeys I have had in Asia-Pacific region and you can also enjoy this during the Christmas Menu next week.   Highly recommended.   ~   10/10

 

Serradura Saw Dust Pudding – $38
The version here has Digestive biscuit crumbs,  Oreo cookie crumbs and also a Mango sauce.  So thoughtful and likeable.  Look at that low price too.   Not entirely sure it is purely Portuguese authentic but I should definitely ask the Chef again !  ~  9/10

Real Portuguese Tarts -  $12
I remembered to ask the Chef this time,  what he thinks of Macau’s Portuguese tarts -  his answer was expected.   He thinks most Macau tarts are British Egg-tarts based,   so in order to make his statement,  he wanted to make his Pastel de Nata as similar to the Lisboa’s Belem version as possible.   He even serves it with Cinnamon Powder,  although no Icing Sugar and to me not enough Burnt Layer.  It was slightly more sweeter and set custardy than the normal Macanese version.   Come here if you want a more closer to Portugal’s original Pastel de Nata version amongst other dishes.   You can so totally feel the fire in the Chef’s vision…  come help to fuel it and make the Portuguese movement last!

 

 

 

 

Price: $388 for Christmas Meal (Meal by Galaxy Hotel’s Invitation)
Food:  ♕♕♕♕ 1/2
Ease of Access:  4/5

Address: 路氹城「澳門銀河™」綜合渡假城購物大道東地下G21號舖
Galaxy Macau, Avenida de Cotai, Cotai City, Coloane-Taipa
Ph:  +853 8883 2221