Stanley Ho has somehow scored an incredible coup. The legendary Joel Robuchon (left) - named 'Chef of the Century' by the Gault Millau Restaurant Guide - is opening a restaurant in Ho's hotel in Macau, the Hotel Lisboa. The new restaurant (which used to be A Galera, serving Portuguese and Continental cuisine), Robuchon a Galera, will have its grand opening on April 7, and the world-renowned chef will be visiting the hotel from April 1-8 for a series of dinners. In 1996, the award-winning and highly decorated chef closed his Michelin three-star establishment in Paris, Restaurant Joel Robuchon, to concentrate on working as a consultant. The restaurant at the Hotel Lisboa will be only his third project since that time, and the first outside Paris.
Robuchon created the menu for Robuchon a Galera, and he and his team will visit the Hotel Lisboa four times each year to ensure that his standards are maintained. Naturally enough, Robuchon a Galera will serve French cuisine, with the ingredients imported from France. The menu was not finalised at the time this went to print, but the tentative menu looked suitably luxurious, with three-star prices to match. The wine cellar is reportedly one of the most extensive in the region, listing more than 800 varieties. Phone the Hotel Lisboa on 853 577 666 for reservations.
The International Wine Centre, which recently held a tasting of champagne and caviar, is holding a one-day class on matching champagne with sushi. Students will taste eight champagnes with the sushi, including Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Moet et Chandon, Pol Roger, Tattinger, Heid-sieck Monopole and Louis Roederer. The class on March 29 is limited to 12 participants and costs $420. Call the IWC on 2549 0181 or e-mail
If the contents of your wine cellar are getting low, take a trip this weekend to any of the Watson's Wine Cellars around the SAR. From today (March 23) to Sunday, they're offering a 20 per cent discount on any purchase of 12 bottles of wine. Contact the Watson's Wine Cellar nearest you.