Lord Stow Egg Tarts @ Lord Stow Garden Cafe

Yes, I know this is strange. Lord Stow doesn't have an outlet in mainland Macau for the simple reason that his former wife owns that turf. How else can you justify his non-presence on the Macau Peninsula?

The late Andrew Stow started the bakery outlet in Coloane, which is quite a nice and laid back place, since then, there has been two more outlet, namely a cafe and a Garden cafe. I know this sounds confusing, but bear with me. The bakery is a take out outlet. You don't get to sit down and get served coffee but round the corner from there is a Cafe, and just within an arms throw, is the Garden Cafe, which operates more like a Bistro. There is one more at UNIMAC, University of Macau, but I never found the need to go there for a cuppa.

The Garden Cafe is quite packed during weekends, even though it is quite a distance away from everywhere else, people still find time to go round to this place to have a pleasant afternoon. In particular, the Garden Cafe serves up full meals, which are fusion cuisines.

The bakery down the road makes all the egg tarts, so if you are wondering if you are getting anything different, rest assured that you aren't. The outlet at the Venetian Casino makes their own egg tarts as can be seen from the kitchen window, but it lacks the full service meals.

The egg tarts here are wonderfully rich, far richer and sweeter than the ones made by Margarets and this is how I like it. Bite into them and you'd be rewarding all your senses. This is not to say that Margarets version isn't any good or less in quality, it's just a different taste.

I have never had the Balem version of the eggtart to see if it has any taste resemblance, probably not since Andrew Stow could not find the fresh ingredients needed to make an authentic Portuguese version so the Macau version is probably the best there is.  The Garden Cafe gets all its tarts from across the road as you can see the bakers coming in with trays of the stuff whenever they run low on it.

The Garden Cafe is a nice place, but be forewarned as the garden has some nasty bugs hanging around. My partner got stung by a hornet when we ate there. The Garden is also houses two reptiles, tortoises, which are no use in getting rid of the bugs.

There are many others who have tried to make the tart and call it their own. I know Koi Kei and Choi Heong Yuen also make their versions which are worthy enough to stand on their own as well. But the ones made by Lord Stowe is still my personal favorite. Rich and tasty, the pastry is baked just right. I never found the need to verify if Lord Stowe's version was really the best after tasting all the egg tarts sold in Macau. One bite, and you know it is.

The Garden Cafe is really the place you should be getting a coffee while enjoying these splendid creations. The other cafe down the road is much smaller and less popular with the cafe going tourist but you can be assured that both places will be packed to the brim during weekends.

Thankfully, Lord Stow has not taken the more commercial route like Margaret's Cafe where the egg tart recipe is now sold at KFC outlets in Singapore. So for this very reason, you should make it a point to try Andrew Stowe's creation whenever you are in Macau.

Portuguese Eggtarts @ Lord Stow Garden Cafe

Portuguese Egg Tarts: Margaret's Cafe e Nata De Macau

When in Macau, people use to say that you should try their Portuguese Egg Tarts or Pasteis de Balem which has a 175 year history. But if you look back, it was Englishman Andrew Stowe who was credited for creating the Macau version of the egg tart from Balem.

Now Andrew married Margaret, and with that they both shared the secret recipe for the egg tart and it is this that you find in tucked behind a back alley in downtown Macau. Simply known as Margaret's Cafe to many, it is a great place for breakfast if you're not into morning Dim Sum.

In the mornings, people line up to buy their breakfast to take to office, others still grab a coffee with cake or pastries or maybe a ham sandwich. But up for review here is the humble Portuguese egg tart.

When I first came to this place, I was shocked at the weekend crowd lining up for their chance to get some tarts, it was almost like a religious homage or sorts and you still see it today. My advice is not to turn up during any weekend or public holiday observed in either China or Hong Kong. It's no joke seeing them snake around the street corner....all for just some tarts.

It was one of my haunts in Macau in the mornings, coffee or milk tea with a two tarts. Avoid at all cost during weekends but when there is no queue, it is quite pleasant. It is an alfresco cafe of sorts, you buy your food inside and eat it outside. Drinks are served to you after paying at the counter.

Unlike the Hong Kong egg tart, the Macau ones follow closely to the Balem version, with a fluffy crispy puff pastry crust. The egg custard is somewhat different as it has been customized to suit local taste. There is no cinnamon powder to sprinkle over the tarts and Margaret's version has a distinct taste. Using less sugar than her former husband, she has found her own following with the more health conscious. Lord Stowe's version is a tad sweeter and more creamy.

Margaret has since franchised her tart recipe to Singapore, namely to KFC. You may not believe it but they do taste the same. The consistency and sweetness mirrors that of Margaret's version. It cost roughly US$1 per piece and you can only have two before you start to feel full—a testament to the richness of the ingredients. If you are from Singapore, then it's best to skip this and try Andrew Stowe's creation for a change. I am sure you can taste the difference.

Margaret's Cafe Portuguese Egg Tartrating