Chapter 40. RESTAURANT SOLMAR (PORTUGUESE CUISINE)

Main entrance

Prior to Macau, my only idea of Portuguese cuisine is Porguese Egg Tarts. Despite residing in Malacca (another portuguese settlement) for 4 years.

Interior

The restaurant is quite small but it retains a relaxing and calm ambience which is essential. After all, Macau is a small town and food should be enjoyed in a relaxed manner.

Even the menu looks old

Restaurant Colmar is recommended by the hotel receptionist. There's another more famous restaurant, but it's in Taipa. (Too far) ;o(

Solmar's history dates back to over 40 years. They used to cater exclusively to upper class customers and only opened to public after tremendous public requests.

Solmar Vegetable Soup - MO $30

It has a green leafy texture that needs some getting used to. I'm guessing this dish is probably created using yesterday's leftover vegetables. No meat no nothing, just vegetables.

Portuguese Style Baked Chicken - MO $115

This is an "authentic" portuguese dish, according to our waiter. It taste slightly similar to curry chicken, more herbs and less spicy version.

According to Solmar's website, the "must try" dish is the African Chicken. The entire restaurant is associated with this famous dish. "Why the fuck didn't our waiter tell us that?"

Fried Bacalhau Balls - MO $46

I presumed it was some coconut/potato balls or some sort. But it's made of salted dried codfish. It has a lot of fibres that gave me the coconut/potato impression.

Crunchy on the outside and chewy in the inside. Strangely there's absolutely no taste of fish in the balls. But I'm all for anything that's fried.

Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

This is Bacalhau's partner in crime. Having them together is supposed to enhance the Bacalhau's flavour. It's a fermented liquid condiment (whatever that means). It's just like soy sauce, much thicker, less salty + lil' sweet taste.

Portuguese Fried Rice - MO $63

It's fried rice, cooked in Macau by a Portuguese chef. Thus the name "Portuguese Fried Rice".

Our table

Our dishes were ordered based on our waiter's recommendation. Just slightly pissed off why he never recommend the restaurant's most well known dish. ;o(

Final tab

Total damage = MO $279.40. Decent price for a decent lunch. Overall Portuguese cuisine has a rather unique taste. But if there's a Portuguese restaurant next to a Japanese restaurant, 80% of the time I'll choose Japanese over Portuguese.


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