Who doesn’t love Italian cuisine? Not that many of us would say no to a perfectly cooked pasta or cheesy pizza. Not to mention the yummy desserts! If you consider yourself a fan of Italian food, put Bene Food & Wine Mercato in Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel on your list of top Macau events to check out and here are 10 reasons why it shouldn’t be missed.
Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Mercato Italiano
Bene’s Mercato is way more than another dinner buffet with a theme. It’s not hard to guess that mercato stands for market. But it is not just your regular market to buy groceries in. It is a part of Italian daily life and tradition. Way back in time, Italian mercato were places of gathering and connecting with the community, where people spent the weekend bargaining for fresh products and enjoying delicious food.
Clearly, Bene’s team worked really hard not only to create an excellent menu but to reflect the vibrant atmosphere of the Italian market. You might not hear expressive Italian language here, but you would definitely find a similarly friendly and cheerful vibe in Bene full of excited and hungry people. And by full we mean absolutely full. Seriously, you would need to book your table in advance to make sure not to miss Bene’s Mercato.
Experience the rich culture of Italian gastronomy
There’s no chance of being bored while visiting each and every Mercato by Bene. This is because there’s a new theme, menu and program eery month! Venetian Carnival in February, Amalfi Coast seafood in March or Food From Famous Films in April. There is always something new to try. That gives Macau foodies a chance to learn and try more Italian specialties from various regions and provinces, as well as understand their rich culture.
Dine in one of the finest Italian restaurants in town
Everything that Bene does deserves attention–from their a la carte menu that features signature Bene carbonara tossed in castelmagno cheese to the plethora of gourmet events. Be it the Great Big Bene Sunday brunch, Slow Roast Saturdays or Food & Wine Mercato, all of these events feature home-style Italian food made with fresh and carefully selected ingredients. This, combined with the culinary team’s creativity is their formula of success. Ask local Italian expats where they go for authentic Italian flavors and “Bene” is sure to be on their lips.
Get hypnotized by interactive cooking stations
It’s safe to say that the cooking process at Mercato becomes a part of the guests entertainment and attraction. Live cooking stations are situated around the dining area adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Seeing Bene’s culinary team working their magic at the live cooking stations is both hypnotizing and tempting. Just watching and smelling the steaming and sizzling food will make you want to try one of everything!
Observe chef Luca at work
The mastermind behind Mercato’s menu and the heart of Bene is Executive Sous Chef Luca Pecorari, a meticulous and strict, but soulful master chef. He’s always found walking among the tables making sure guests are enjoying his creations and everything is just perfect. At times, you can even spot him at the cooking stations, doing what he does best and giving occasional comments about the process. It’s a true pleasure to watch the maestro at work.
Take advantage of the free flow of Italian wine and Spritz Aperol
What can be a more pleasant addition to a celebration of outstanding Italian gourmet food than free flow of drinks? Fine Italian red and white wine paired with specialties of the month brings the dinner experience to an even more elevated level.
However, before starting the wine tasting, we recommend paying some much deserved attention to Aperol Spritz. One of Italy’s favorite aperitifs, Aperol Spritz is a great way to start a dinner on the right foot. In case you haven’t heard of it, this bright orange cocktail is made of three ingredients–prosecco, Aperol liquor and soda– then usually garnished with a slice of orange. Bitter Aperol with sparkling wine balanced with some soda water stimulates both the appetite and lively conversation.
Unwind on the serene terrace
After a satisfying dinner, grab a glass of wine with one of the various Mercato desserts and proceed to the terrace. This little cozy addition to Bene is a true delight! So tranquil and peaceful that you quickly forget you are actually dining in the middle of bustling Cotai and start imagining yourself in the quieter alleys of Rome or idyllic Positano. Not that many restaurants on the island can boast about having such a relaxing feature like this.
Be thoroughly entertained
As every month opens a new chapter of Italy’s opulent heritage, Bene comes up with new exciting programs to entertain the guests. It is an all round experience of Italian culture. So don’t be surprised to see theatrical characters in Venetian carnival masks passing by your table or hear famous Italian tunes performed by a pure tenor.
Celebrate the weekend with your loved ones
Italians love spending time with their families and they are usually quite sizable. Grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins and all the rest usually gather around a huge dining table. Keeping Italian traditions alive, Bene’s team loves to see whole families gather at one table and does their best to accommodate the needs of everyone, from the littlest to the oldest. Kids are welcome and will definitely appreciate the array of Italian desserts.
See for yourself why Bene Food & Wine Mercato is so popular
As we already mentioned, Bene’s Mercato takes part on Friday and Saturday of every month. This gastronomy event is extremely popular and usually fully booked. Mercato has already celebrated two years and their fan base keeps growing. We could name more reasons to visit but as they say, the experience is worth a thousand words!
When: Friday and Saturday, monthly.
Where: Bene, Level 1, Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, Estrada do Istmo. s/n, Cotai
How much: MOP $488 per adult; MOP $200 per child (aged 6–12 years old)
Price includes entry ticket, unlimited food, wine and drinks while Marriott Bonvoy members will enjoy special discounts
For enquiries or reservations, call +853 8113 1200 or email them at [email protected]
To find out more about this event, check their Facebook page
