Macau, What's New?

Studio City Macau
Given the growing sophistication of tourist expectations, the time was right for a new experience that would offer visitors to Macau something aside from yet another casino. Several years and US$3.2 billion in the making, Studio City is a cinematically-themed entertainment, retail and gaming resort that the owners (and Macau in general) hope will strengthen the city’s leisure, business and tourism sectors. And it’s pretty stunning: Based around a Hollywood-studio concept, the resort’s Art Deco facade includes a figure-of-eight “Golden Reel” ferris wheel ride which straddles the resort’s two-tower hotel 130 meters in the air. Other offerings include a 5,000-seat events and concert space, a TV studio where audiences will be able to attend live TV broadcasts, a Warner Bros. entertainment center and Batman-themed motion ride, and more. Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, Macau, studiocity-macau.com.

Lai Heen
Not only is Lai Heen the highest Chinese restaurant in Macau—perched as is it on the 51st floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Macau—it’s also becoming fast regarded as a pinnacle of Asian cuisine in our sister SAR. Featuring contemporary yet classic design alongside a wine cellar, cigar lounge, spectacular chandeliers and cascading waterfall as well as THAT view, this is an experience for all the senses. Chef Bill Fu was brought in from Tin Lung Heen at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, and it was primarily through his efforts the restaurant earned its two-star Michelin status. Diners can expect signature dishes such as char-grilled barbecued Iberico pork, steamed crab claw with egg white in lobster bisque, and braised pork belly with preserved vegetables. 51/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baía da Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, (+853) 8886-6868.

Pacha
One of the biggest nightclub brands in the world, Pacha is finally bringing its blissed-out Balearic beats to Macau. It seems like such an obvious match—the only question is what took it so long to get here? As a global nightlife leader with venues across the globe, including Ibiza, New York, Dubai, Buenos Aires and Sydney, Pacha is bringing exclusivity, sophistication and a touch of decadence to Macau’s growing party scene. With a distinctive style and club culture, guests can book private tables or private room—or just rage it up on the dancefloor. Resident DJs and special events with some of the world’s biggest names at the decks promise to keep things lively. Studio City Macau, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, (+853) 8865-6699.

Mezza9 Macau
Mezza9 Macau at the Grand Hyatt Macau has just launched a new Portuguese kitchen offering dishes by Ricardo Oliveira, Chef de Cuisine at the restaurant. This joins the recently-added Thai Kitchen, featuring the specialties of renowned Thai chef Thai chef Siriluck Lekkwan, alongside the restaurant’s existing show kitchens, which create Macanese, grill, sushi and sashimi, wok dishes and more. The open kitchens offer a theatrical element, while seating diners between tanks of live seafood, kitchen equipment and ingredients lend a fun market feel. 3/F, Grand Hyatt Macau, City of Dreams, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai, (+853) 8868-1920.

Heart Bar
A trendy new venue just opened inside the new Ascott Hotel is being billed as “Macau’s first mixology concept bar,” so expect cocktails and fancy drinks as well as the usual bottles of vinho verde. With a modern European vibe, Heart Bar has an indoor area of 80 seats and an outdoor of 30, offering bites and a wide range of booze. But a cocktail bar lives or dies by its concoctions: The 29 offerings include the “Whisky Figgy” (MOP85), almost a Christmas pudding in a glass containing apricot preserve, blended scotch, thyme, honey, dried fruit and toffee, citrus and pineapple, while the “Jasper Rose” (MOP85) is floral yet elegant, with London dry gin, fresh pink grapefruit, aromatic rose water, lychee liqueur and a few drops of Peychaud’s bitters, giving it extra aroma and beautiful pink shade. It’s won our hearts already. Ascott Macau, Rua Cidade de Braga, Nape, Macau Peninsula, (+853) 2822-0688.