On paper, Jason Kosmas of retro-speakeasy Employees Only and David Waltuck of stately French Chanterelle appear to have little in common – yet that is the basis for Macao Trading Company, their bi-cultural restaurant celebrating Portuguese and Chinese cuisines.
Try one of the specialty drinks offered, like Drunken Dragon’s Milk (Charbay Green Tea Vodka blended with Young Coconut Puree and Macao Five-Spice Bitters) before sampling Chef Erica Ohrling’s visually arresting whole-fried fish or delicious Macanese Lobster Noodles!
Portuguese & Chinese Fusion Cuisine
Macao Trading Company has long been a local favorite, offering delicious cuisine and cocktail programs since opening its doors in 2008. Since 2008, under Chef Erica Ohrling’s direction, this dark yet cozy bi-leveled restaurant has taken patrons on an international culinary adventure spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa with dishes beyond your typical Chinese-Portuguese fare.
Chef Erica has recreated the authentic flavors of Macau with a menu combining Chinese cuisine with influences from Portugal and other Lusophone countries, resulting in a delectable blend of European and Asian tastes that comes alive through dishes like her grilled octopus with pine nut puree, tarragon salsa verde, cerignola olives and chile peppers; crispy whole fish served wok-fried coriander long beans; or Galinha a Africana chicken served with piri-piri sauce and ginger sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame! Africana chicken served up piri-piri sauce served up alongside ginger sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame sesame slaw! Slaw! Slaw.
The Interior of the restaurant is designed to recreate the atmosphere of 1930’s Macao opium dens and gambling parlors with subtle nods to the past in every detail. The main dining room features a high ceiling, exposed brick walls, and a decorative balcony adorned with trinkets; the downstairs lounge features a red-carpeted dance floor, vintage nude photographs, and ancient Kama Sutra framings for added drama and mystery.
The trendy look is perfectly complimented by their inventive cocktail program, which offers a thoughtful list of beverages with Macanese influences – such as Gin Ganju for an eye-opening take on gin fizz with citrus and lemongrass syrup; or the Drunken Dragon’s Milk that warms you up with tea-infused vodka and creamy coconut.
Savory offerings at this restaurant are equally exotic, from Galinha an Africana Chicken ($29), which features roasted octopus marinated with piri-piri spices – a signature dish in Macau – and served with ginger sesame slaw to Macanese grilled chicken dumplings ($20). Sweet offerings include malasadas – Portuguese-style doughnuts filled with vanilla cream. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner service to ensure an unforgettable dining experience! Friendly service provides a fantastic culinary and cocktail experience that makes any visit worthwhile; food and cocktails are worth every step.
Craft Cocktails
Macao Trading Company’s unmarked entrance gives away nothing of what lies beyond soft lights barely visible through lofty grated-metal doors are all that give away its secret dining and drinking experience. Within its walls lies an eclectic urban crowd swapping trendy TriBeCa for the cultural contrasts of Macau reminiscent of 19th-century ambiance; here, you’ll find an expansive bar in front and a dark wood interior illuminated by antique lamps reminiscent of Macau itself.
The cocktail program at Macanese Kitchen is extensive and thoughtful, offering both inventive twists on traditional drinks and exclusive creations inspired by Macanese themes. Gin Ganju blends light citrus flavor from lemongrass syrup with gin for a deliciously refreshing and bubbly drink, while Drunken Dragon’s Milk pairs warm spiced tea-flavored vodka and creamy coconut.
Macao Trading Co, the latest venture from restauranteurs Jason Kosmas (Employees Only) and Mark Rancourt (Sassafras Tavern and Bigfoot Lodge), boasts luxe vintage interiors reminiscent of the 1920s-1940s speakeasies or opium dens; complete with nude photographs and kama sutra frames hanging on walls, an open case filled with opium pipes for display, an upstairs lounge set for private performances, vintage nude photos of nudes and kama sutra framings hanging on walls; vintage nude photos depicting nudes as they danced on walls while open cases full of pipes depend from overhead – everything you could ever need for secret performances!
Kosmas and Rancourt share the same aesthetic in their food, aiming to combine European and Asian influences into an innovative fusion menu featuring indigenous Chinese, Portuguese, African, and Indian dishes – as well as offering sweet treats like Malasadas (Portuguese-style doughnut stuffed with vanilla cream). The restaurant even features its dessert counter offering delectable treats like Malasadas!
Mixologist Dushan Zaric (Employees Only) at the bar crafts drinks that blend East-meets-West flavors. His specialty drinks include the signature Patua Macao cocktail featuring locally brewed Chinese-style rice wine called Baijuu and 10-year-old Tawny Port from Bordeaux with lapsang souchong tea and cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. A house-made Bitters, Liqueurs, and Shrubs list combines house-made Bitters Liqueurs tinctures and shrubs with fresh juices infused spirits and purees and wines by glass bottle or draft to complete this extensive beverage list.
Opium Den Lounge
This basement lounge exudes seduction and subversiveness, recalling the illicit opium dens that once thrived in America’s Chinatown districts. Vintage nude photographs and ancient Kama Sutra framings adorning its walls are juxtaposed against an open case of opium pipes on a bar top; deejay-driven dance music completes this seductive experience for a diverse, well-to-do crowd.
The Opium Den is also home to local bands seeking a comfortable environment to hone their sound, with famous bands like Ozomatli (a Latin jazz, hip-hop, and funk band) often performing here on Thursday nights. This unique concept gives this Chinatown hotel an edge over other boutique hotels nearby – guests can indulge in exotica while sipping luxurious cocktails!
Private Events
Macao Trading Company provides private event services for both their dining room and Opium Den lounge, making this space ideal for hosting any party seeking an exceptional drinking and dining experience. This lavish venue invites adventurers of all types to experience its decadence; look for the red lantern on Church Street to enter this time-out-of-time place where decadence reigns supreme!
