For fab Portuguese food in Macau - and a whiff of former times in this small S.A.R - look no further than the institution that is Restaurante Fernando.
The eponymous owner has been serving up home-style cooking at his rustic, low-key restaurant for over 15 years. Not only is the food well worth coming for, but Fernado's location - in a corner of sleepy Coloane island - will give you a taste of a completely different Macau from the whirl of construction and bright lights on the Cotai Strip.
Fernando's laid-back attitude extends to its reservation policy: you can't book. If you're planning a visit over the weekend or on a public holiday arrive before 12:30pm or you'll have to wait in a long queue of hungry diners; Fernando's is unrelentingly popular.
If you end up having to wait, it's worth it, as the food is excellent. Grilled garlicky gambas, succulent roast chicken, juicy tomato salad, delicious clams, bread that homesick Europeans will go weak at the knees over, and so the list goes on. Prices are very reasonable, expect to pay about HKD 200 per person for more food than you can manage and a stream of beer, wine and sangria.
If miraculously you do save some space, Lord Stow's Bakery - another Macanese institution - is just around the corner in Coloane Main Square. The bakery's Portuguese-style egg tarts have a cult following that stretches way beyond Coloane's shores.
Restaurante Fernando, Praia de Hac Sa No. 9, Coloane, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 2264.
Lord Stow's Bakery, 1 Rua da Tassara, Coloane Town Square, Macau; Tel: +853 2888 2534; www.lordstow.com.
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Canberra might be Australia's capital city but it doesn't exactly top a list of the country's must-do destinations. While both Aussies and tourists can be unfairly beastly about the place, locals say stuff 'em – and that means there's more chance of a table at Silo, Canberra's best bakery and café bar none.
Everyday there's a queue of hungry Canberrians outside the whitewashed walled café in the cosmopolitan suburb of Kingston, including a smattering of famous media types and often a buffed up member of the Brumbies Rugby union team who play nearby, waiting to take away some of Silo's delectable artisan style bread and pastries - try the blackcurrant and Cabernet tart if it hasn't sold out.
Silo's walk-in cheese room at the back of the café is the place for any fan of the hard stuff (or washed-rind varieties, or soft cheeses) to feast their eyes upon.
If it's still morning, queue for one of their tables and settle down for a fabulous brunch. The menu (served before 11.30am only – show up at 11.31am and you'll be dismissed with a curt shrug) is full of delicious treats, but I find it impossible to go past the belt-busting Basque piperade with grilled chorizo - though the chilli jam on fried eggs and tomatoes has me cursing that I don't have two stomachs. One of these choices plus a flat white coffee is a legendary way to start the day, though be warned: Silo's staff are renowned for their breathtaking rudeness. But grit your teeth and ignore them as the food is so good, even this Miss Manners will come back for more.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 7am – 4pm.
36 Giles Street, Kingston, Canberra, ACT 2604, Australia; Tel: +61 (0)2 6260 6060; Web: www.silobakery.com.au.
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