Macau Lifestyle
  • What's On

    Categories

    • Events Calendar
    • Macau Weekend
    • Monthly Hotlist
    • Giveaways
    • Entertainment

    Recent Stories

    Macao Arts Festival
    What to Expect At the 31st Macao Arts Festival
    What's On
    Relax and Reward Package Offer Shine Spa
    Weekender: Spa & Staycation Offers, Food Surprises & More
    Macau Weekend
    SICILIAN RED PRAWN and OSCIETRA CAVIAR served “cru” with yuzu The Manor A La Carte Menu
    April in Macau: Dining, Arts, Culture & Family Events
    Monthly Hotlist
  • Dining

    Categories

    • Restaurants
    • Local Eats
    • Cafes
    • Bars
    • Chef Spotlight

    Recent Stories

    sponge-cake-macau-lifestyle-chinese-pastries
    Our Guide to Traditional Chinese Pastries in Macau
    Dining
    Voyages by Alain Ducasse_Gin Trolley
    Where to Have Gin & Tonic in Macau
    Bars
    pho tik pho peach tea macau lifestyle
    Delicious Noodles & Where to Eat Them in Macau
    Local Eats
  • Lifestyle

    Categories

    • Wellness
    • Weddings
    • Family
    • People

    Recent Stories

    Flora Garden playground
    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau
    Family
    Dave Wan Working at Zawood
    Dave Wan: Keeping up the Family’s Business With Zawood
    Artist Spotlight
    Notable Macau women Sister Juliana Devoy
    8 Notable Macau Women to Be Proud Of
    Culture
  • Culture

    Categories

    • Arts
    • Heritage & History
    • Architecture
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Local Knowledge

    Recent Stories

    Flora Garden playground
    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau
    Family
    Dave Wan Working at Zawood
    Dave Wan: Keeping up the Family’s Business With Zawood
    Artist Spotlight
    Cinco de Mayo Macau Mexican dancers, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Old Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico USA
    Everything You Need to Know About Cinco de Mayo
    Culture
  • Style

    Categories

    • Fashion
    • Jewelry & Watches
    • Beauty
    • Home

    Recent Stories

    Macau Lifestyle Stephen Margaret Omorovicza
    Margaret de Heinrich: Omorovicza Skincare & Healing Thermal Waters
    Beauty
    Gucci Macau
    Best Springtime Fragrances of 2021
    Beauty
    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02
    Best Facial Treatments in Macau
    Beauty
  • Travel

    Categories

    • Macau
    • China
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Europe

    Recent Stories

    hong kong junk Day Trips Macau
    Best Day Trips from Macau
    Asia
    macau day trips ocean park hong kong
    Best Day Trips for the Whole Family
    Family
    kun iam ecumenic centre macau
    Weekend Walking Tour of Macau Peninsula’s Alternative Cultural Sites
    Culture
  • Hong Kong

    Categories

    • What's On
    • Dining
    • Things to Do
    • Hotels

    Recent Stories

    Artist Wu Yi – Tang Contemporary gallery- Macau Lifestyle WY1
    Wu Yi: A Painter’s Painter
    Artist Spotlight
    St. Regis Hong Kong, Premier Harbour Room 08
    Best Staycation Packages in Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
    Kerry Hotel Hong Kong
    Wake Up Here: Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
    Hong Kong
  • Events
  • City Guide
  • 繁中
Chef Spotlight
28 November, 2019
by Macau Lifestyle

Très Chic: Dining at La Petite Maison

Macau Lifestyle- Chef Maurizio Pace – Le Petite Maison- Headshot (1)

Chef Maurizio Pace heads the popular and well-loved La Petite Maison in Hong Kong. It’s the first location in Asia for the A-list restaurant favored by the likes of Elton John and Beyonce having outposts of the dining venture in London, Miami, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. The stylish restaurant is strategically located in the hub of Hong Kong between the bustling districts at H Queen’s state of the art building. We caught up with Chef Maurizio Pace to find out why LPM, as dubbed by many patrons, continues to captivate the hearts of diners in the city.

We walked in to find the perfectly starched white tablecloths at the light and airy restaurant. It’s hard to miss the tomatoes and lemon on the table that’s a signature decor on all La Petite Maison branches. You’ll feel sophistication with a touch of laid-back vibe at this location in an instant. It’s obvious how the elegant space evokes a distinctly southern French soul. In between talking about food, Chef Maurizio Pace tells us why being a chef is a lifetime journey as he also reveals his favorite dish on the menu.

Tell us about your journey and how you ended up at La Petite Maison Hong Kong.

I worked my way up the career ladder from Italy and then the UK. I fell in love with being a chef. At first, I felt like I needed to learn the skill because it could get you a job anywhere in the world. But, it resonated with me and crafting a dish gave me great pleasure. Making people happy gives me satisfaction. I wanted to improve and hard work for a chef should never be underestimated. It’s all in or nothing so I wanted to do really good and learn more.

I decided to work in the best restaurants. Serving food should have a connection. People from different walks of life have different stories and an amazing dish can change one person’s crappy day. That can be quite rewarding for us, we feel like we’ve done something useful for the day. I believe that what makes a good meal contains many elements and it’s not just about the food. It’s the small details from the smile at the door, the clean surroundings, the music in the background, and even the company or who you’re dining with are all critical for a great dining experience.

La Petite Maison

What can people expect from La Petite Maison?

It’s a unique place in the dining scene. We have the French approach but it’s not uptight fine dining. It’s slightly more relaxed but not casual. For me, it’s an everyday restaurant. You can visit for lunch or dinner and you’ll find top-notch and high-quality food. Our interiors are beautiful and are famed across all La Petite Maison brands worldwide. We showcase artworks from galleries around Hong Kong. Even our menu design is quite remarkable.

How would you describe Niçoise cuisine? How is it different from French cuisine?

Well, if you picture the French cuisine outside France that’s what we are. The Parisian style is heavy on butter-based flavors. If you go to the South of France, you’ll find a different approach there. It’s a mixture of Italian and French influences. I’d say La Petite Maison is more that side, more Mediterranean. We embody various elements in our cooking style so yes, I’d say that’s Niçoise cuisine.

What is your favorite La Petite Maison dish?

We have lots of dishes. I particularly like the Porc Sagabuta Grillé (grilled Sagabuta pork) and Daurade Rouge Grille au Charbon (charcoal-grilled red bream). These dishes are unique to Hong Kong, have really surprising flavor, and are cooked beautifully with a bit of extra flavor.

What is a signature LPM?

Our prawns in olive oil. It’s a must-try and good because we only use top quality products.

You were born and raised in Italy, how has the food culture and access to some of the best produce in the world affected your cooking?

Sometimes we can be close-minded when creating a dish. I’ve grown to learn how to compromise and how to stand my ground when it comes to ingredients. We now have the advantage of proximity to other countries with great produce like Japan and New Zealand. For example, I prefer New Zealand lamb, the same with their tomatoes and lemons. My purpose is to use good and fresh quality while being realistic and taking the seasons into consideration.

La Petite Maison Lnguine Pasta with Venetian Clams – Linguine aux Palourdes de Venise

What is your cooking philosophy?

I think for me it’s about the simplicity of a dish. In a way, I lean towards dishes with not too many flavors. I want to keep a certain balance of all ingredients and guests to feel satisfied; not just full or heavy in their bellies. It’s about good value for money and dishes that complement each other. I want people to remember what they ate in a way.

Could you tell us about the lemon, tomatoes and knife which are on the table? Where did this idea come from? Do many people know how to use it?

I think it started in Nice. Well, La Petite Maison needs lemon, tomatoes, and knife and it has evolved into a staple at our table where guests can create their own salad if they wish to. Most guests use it with some even taking it home keeping it in their handbag (laughs). They are great quality lemons all the way from Italy.

Hong Kong marks the fifth branch of Le Petite Maison, how are the restaurants similar and different around the world?

La Petite Maison echoes the same vibe throughout its five branches around the world. Obviously, you’ll find the same experience in Dubai or London, right here. Some dishes might be the same but there are a few dishes that are quite unique here in Hong Kong. I mentioned earlier how lucky we are to be close to Japan and we gather different produce for some dishes that might be different in the other cities.


La Petite Maison Shop 1, H Queen’s, 23-29, 1/F Stanley St, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2887 1113, www.lpmlondon.co.uk

Tags

  • Chef Maurizio Pace
  • French dining
  • french food
  • French food hk
  • le petite maison

Related Posts

Caffe B Macau
Dining

Great Places to Eat Around Nam Van Lake

Voyages by Alain Ducasse_Gin Trolley
Bars

Where to Have Gin & Tonic in Macau

Mr Beer Bar Macau Side Beers on the Wall and Grafitti
Bars

Beat the Heat: Coolest Places to Drink Beer in Macau

Claypot Milk Tea from Duckling Taipa Village Macau Lifestyle
Local Eats

Best Places to Find Authentic Milk Tea in Macau

Trending Posts

sponge-cake-macau-lifestyle-chinese-pastries
Dining, Local Eats

Our Guide to Traditional Chinese Pastries in Macau

10-things-to-do-in-coloane-chapel-francis-xavier
Culture, Heritage, Local Knowledge, Sightseeing

10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

What's On

What to Expect At the 31st Macao Arts Festival

VM The Golden Peacock_Senior Chef Justin Paul
Chef Spotlight, Dining, Restaurants

Chef Justin Paul on Seven Years of The Golden Peacock’s Success

  • Editor's Picks

    SICILIAN RED PRAWN and OSCIETRA CAVIAR served “cru” with yuzu The Manor A La Carte Menu Monthly Hotlist

    April in Macau: Dining, Arts, Culture & Family Events

    Check out all the unmissable events April has in store for everyone in Macau. From kids activities to dining offers, read on and find out!

    Date Announcement  – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Dining

    Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 – Five Macau Eateries Make the Cut

    Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 decided to award 100 restaurants instead of the traditional 50, with Macau making it into the list!

    AJ Hackett Macau Skywalk giveaway Macau Lifestyle Local Knowledge

    Everything You Need to Do in Macau at Least Once

    Take a dive into this article and find out what to do to spend your precious time in Macau and maximize it to enjoy the city at its fullest!

    Featured image: Chinese depiction of a woman from atlantic countries circa 18th century Source: Review of Culture Culture

    Historic Women in Macau: Empowering Communities Across Time

    We all have an idea of what being a woman during the earlier centuries meant. These prominent women in Macau proved that their gender wasn’t a hindrance.

    LondonerMainLR Hotels

    Unveiling The Londoner Macao: The Newest Jewel in Cotai’s Crown

    The Londoner Macao is a unique addition to the vibrant skyline of Macau meticulously designed, making it a true celebration of timeless British design.

    Cuppa Coffee Macau Dining

    Good Morning Macau: Best Cafes for Breakfast

    As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here’re our favorite cafes in Macau to head to for a hearty breakfast!

    Mandarin Oriental, Macau_The Mandarin Cake Shop_Signature Cake_Pink Bloom Cafes

    That Takes the Cake! The Mandarin Cake Shop’s Cakes for Every Taste

    The Mandarin Cake Shop’s cakes will make your heart beat faster and complement any ocassion! Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!

    Sichuan Moon Chinese Restaurant Macau Dining

    The Most Outstanding Chinese Restaurants in Macau

    We’ve dedicated this page to the best restaurants serving Chinese food that entices even the most discerning palates from all over the world.

    Cotai Picture Wide Macau Lifestyle Macau

    10 Free Things to Do in Macau

    Glamorous and buzzing Macau has a lot to offer even for those on a shoe-string budget. Find out the coolest and free things to do in Macau.

    Coloane hiking trail Culture

    Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails

    Coloane is home to most of the hiking trails in town. We walked them all and came up with the most comprehensive Coloane hiking trails guide.

    African Chicken from Riquexo Macau Lifestyle Dining

    Macanese Craze: Where to Get African Chicken in Macau

    African chicken is a truly Macanese dish, even though it doesn’t sound so. We’ve toured Macau looking for the best and here they are!

    caffe b italian restaurant macau lunch dishes Dining

    New Set Menu at Caffé B Macau: What’s for Lunch?

    Our favorite casual Italian restaurant, Caffé B Macau, recently launched new lunch sets. We headed there to taste the recent additions.

    Collage of Calcada do Amparo Area Wall Paintings Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Colorful Macau: Best Street Art Hotspots

    Looking for something different to discover in the city? Explore the lesser travelled paths of Macau to find stunning local street art.

    The Moss Natural Life - handmade soaps sustainable shopping macau Wellness

    Sustainable Shopping in Macau

    If you are looking for places to shop for packaging-free, eco-friendly and sustainable items in Macau, here is a good list to embark on your journey.

    quarter square coffee on table exterior Dining

    The Ultimate Guide to Macau’s Best Coffee Shops

    Coffee makes the world go round and even if you don’t fancy it, it definitely brings people together so here are the best coffee shops in Macau!

    The Cheesecake Factory Macao pancakes Cafes

    Great Places for Pancakes in Macau

    Looking for pancake places around Macau? Hunting for butter-browned, soft and fluffy pancakes? We think you’ll be satisfied with our list!

    10-things-to-do-in-coloane-chapel-francis-xavier Culture

    10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

    Other than the glitz of the casinos and hotels, the beautiful Catholic churches show a different, historical side of Macau.

    Zics Macau Brand Source Facebook page Fashion

    Macau Fashion Brands: Celebrate Local Design

    Discover some Macau fashion brands that are making waves due to the fabulous designers behind each of their fresh and genius creations.

    The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Gin Collection Bars

    Best Places for Happy Hour in Macau

    After a long day at work, you need a relaxing place to unwind. We have the best places in Macau for happy hour deals on drinks and snacks!

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association single shot x Macau Lifestyle Arts

    Macau Youth Street Dance Association: Jarvis Mo on the Local Dance Scene

    We speak to Jarvis Mo, the president of the Macau Youth Street Dance Association, about the street dance culture in Macau, and more!

    Waffles with Coffee at Rooftop Macau Exterior Macau Lifestyle Cafes

    Best Waffle Spots in Macau

    Best shared with your friends or perhaps on a first date, here are the best waffle places in Macau for your next catch up session.

    Cinco de Mayo Macau Mexican dancers, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Old Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico USA Culture

    Everything You Need to Know About Cinco de Mayo

    Some people mistake Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day. What is it exactly? And how do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Macau?

    Mighty Green Featured Cintia and Guilherme Lifestyle

    Mighty Greens: The Powerful Micro-Greens Making Their Way Across Macau Restaurants

    Guilherme Martins and Cintia Milk, behind Mighty Greens has an indoor farm in Macau producing nutritious tiny plants called “micro-greens”.

    Maria do Leste Bloody Mary from St Regis Macao Updated Photo 2020 Bars

    Shaken or Stirred: Macau’s Best Cocktails

    The world of mixology often proves to be as diverse and surprising as the one of gastronomy. Exercising talent and immense creativity, Macau’s bartenders keep creating signature cocktails that impress us with both flavors and presentation. If you are tired and bored with mojitos and negronis and need tips on what else to try, check out our guide to Macau’s best cocktails. 

    Macau Lifestyle Morpheus Spa_Couple Spa Suite_02 Beauty

    Best Facial Treatments in Macau

    With so many world-class spas in Macau, we recommend that you indulge in a facial treatment that will make you feel good at the start of 2021!

  • About
  • The Team
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

COPYRIGHT © 2021 • MACAU LIFESTYLE

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive Macau Events Agenda, the Hottest Giveaway Offers and the Latest Article Updates!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok