DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails is starting its Around the Globe Summer Culinary Tour with a Macau menu from Wednesday, May 23 – Wednesday, July 11.
Representing Tucson as the first city in the US to be named a City of Gastronomy, chef Janos Wilder and others have been invited to other “sister” cities around the world to share the region’s culinary history and unique foods.
The DOWNTOWN Kitchen Around the Globe summer series features menus from all over, focusing on ingredients, technique, and the culinary appreciation of each destination.
This year begins with Macau. A region of the People’s Republic of China, Macau has 400 years of culinary experience. The cuisine highlights a blend of Southern Chinese and Portuguese cuisines, with a hint of Southeast Asia.
Appetizer
- Sesame Soft Shell Crab with Macanese Stir-Fried Rice Vermicelli – char siu, egg, carrot, red chili, bean sprouts, cilantro, and ginger pickle
- Fat Noodles with XO Sauce – crisp white fish, wood ear mushrooms, and Chinese BBQ sausage
- Malay Soft Eggplant, Pineapple, and Long Bean Vegetable Curry – shiitake mushrooms, tofu, fried lotus root, and lime
Entrée
- Duck Leg and Thigh Braised in Red Wine, and Tamarind with Pork – spice trade seasonings and spring onion salad
- Macanese Head-On Chili Soup, and Coconut Milk Pressed Rice Cake – stirp-fried baby bok choy and Portuguese olives
- Braised and Seared Tumeric Pork Shoulder, and Plum Sauce – truffled potatoes, honey mint carrots, braising juices, and ginger pickles
Dessert
- Portuguese Flourless Chocolate Cinnamon, Coffee, Rum Mousse Cake – curried whip cream, and ginger caramel sauce
- Lychee, Ginger, and Pandan Sorbet – passion fruit, tapioca sauce, and pineapple
Bar Menu Only
- Macanese Pork Bun – griddled pork chop on crisp baguette + chili mayo, lettuce, tomato, cucumber
In addition to the menu update, Wilder will hold a cooking class and dinner for the Macau tour from 6 – 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 2 at the Carriage House.
Tickets are $70 per person, and the evening will include the demonstration class and a multi-course dinner with beverages.
DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails is located at 135 S. 6th Ave. The DOWNTOWN Kitchen Around the Globe Summer Culinary Tour begins May 23. For more information, visit downtownkitchen.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
