To treat its patrons and attract new guests, our favorite casual Italian restaurant, Caffé B Macau, recently launched new lunch set menus. From Mediterranean classics to chef’s innovative twists, the new set menus have all the chances to become your favorite middle-of-the-day meal in town. One winter afternoon, we headed to Nam Van Lake to visit Caffé B and see what’s for lunch.
The Italian restaurant that never disappoints
Greeted with unwavering hospitality, we entered the cozy restaurant. Macau’s harbor of authentic Italian flavors at affordable prices has always been a win-win spot for dinner, lunch, casual meal, or special occasion. Any day of the week, you will likely witness Caffé B full of kinds of diners–business people, friends, and families.
For those who prefer to stick to the same lunch spots, Caffé B could be an ideal choice. With a variety of dishes, as well as combinations to comprise a lunch, there is no way guests will get tired of eating the same thing. Starter and pasta, soup and pasta, starter or soup and main course, pasta and main course–the multitude of combos are almost endless. The prices for a set menu starting at MOP $148, an attractive deal that won’t break your budget. Upgrade it with a glass of fine Italian wine for a casual daytime celebration and treat yourself to a delicious dessert and an espresso. Ask Cris, Caffé B’s friendly and witty manager, for recommendations on both. He will be more than happy to help you out. Tip: ask Cris if they have the renowned truffle ice cream; thank us later!
Also read: Cristiano Cannata of Caffé B: How to Turn Challenges into Success
Caprese salad
Starters
We started our lunch with one of the traditional Italian appetizers, Caprese salad. At Caffé B, it comes with finely sliced prosciutto di Parma, a renowned dry-cured ham. Other ingredients are typical for this salad–fresh creamy mozzarella, tomatoes, and arugula leaves. Essential Italian elements in one starter, that’s what you get with the Caprese salad. If you prefer seafood to meat, opt for the shrimp and avocado salad, shredded veggies, and microgreens sourced from a local supplier with shrimp, dressed in creamy and slightly sweet olive oil and avocado sauce.
Vitello Tonnato
Another addition to the appetizers front is Vitello Tonnato, don’t miss out on it if you eat meat, as it’s an absolute must-try. The veal is cooked sous vide, a method with precise temperature control that makes the meat is juicy and tender. It is finely sliced, served with tuna sauce, and topped with capers and arugula–great for sharing, but keep an eye on the plate before your friends finish the whole thing. It’s that good!
Soups
Nothing warms up on a cold or rainy day better than a bowl of hearty soup. If the soup is an essential element of your lunch, take a look at Caffé B’s selection. Order timeless Italian minestrone, pumpkin, or seafood soup. Our favorite one is the latter. To make the flavorsome broth, the chef uses shells, fish bones, tomatoes, and garlic. Then he adds seabass, crab, and shrimps to keep them juicy and tender. An explosion of flavors in a bowl! Another winning choice is pumpkin cream soup, topped with sautéed shrimps and seasoned with black pepper and chili. It is a perfect way to start a meal and make your stomach happy.
Penne alla puttanesca & salmone
Pasta
As for the pasta, the variety is on point. There are lighter ones with clams and greens, and more substantial dishes such as lasagne alla bolognese and tagliatelle carbonara. To taste what new recipe chef Miki added to the menu, we ordered the penne alla puttanesca & salmone, a familiar classic with a twist. The traditional recipe features anchovies, while at Caffé B there is salmon instead. Cooked with black olives and basil, this penne goes with a slightly spicy rich tomato sauce. There is nothing complex in this recipe, it is rather humble. What makes it so delectable is the carefully sourced ingredients and flawless chef technique.
One more newbie on the lunch menu is tagliatelle gamberi e funghi. Prawns cooked to perfection are complimented with crunchy local mushrooms and cream sauce. This pasta is a simple course with an excellent balance of flavors and textures.
Cotoletta di merluzzo al pomodoro
Main course
When you have half of a workday ahead, stuffing yourself with heavy food is the last thing you want to do if you need to be productive. Hence, the chef’s new main course is an ideal one to keep your momentum on point as it’s filling yet won’t induce a nap after having too much. Cotoletta di merluzzo al pomodoro is breaded cod served with fresh arugula leaves, microgreens, veggies, and tomato salsa featuring olives and garlic. This cooking method works perfectly with delicate white fish, helping to seal the moisture and subtle flavor inside. The salsa is a nice addition of sweet and acidic notes that don’t overpower the star of the dish, the cod.
Should you wish to choose a main course with meat, there are plenty of tempting options such as braised pork loin or grilled chicken available. Vegetarians can enjoy mixed grilled vegetables as well, a healthy and light alternative.
Also read: Tutto Bene: Must-Try Italian Dishes at Caffé B
Caffé B Macau Lake View Mansion Block 1, 744-G-H Avenida Panoramica do Lago Nam Van, Macau, +853 2838 6886, www.facebook.com/caffebmacau
