Nestled amongst a row of nondescript shophouses along Upper Serangoon Road, Macau Portuguese BBQ is a quiet, unassuming little restaurant that serves up Portuguese and Chinese-inspired dishes with little fanfare. From the outside, it is easy to presume that there is nothing special about the place. However, give it a chance, and diners will realise that there is more than meets the eye at this restaurant.

• The Vibe
  Simply furnished and painted bright yellow and stark white, the décor at Macau Portuguese BBQ comes across as slightly tacky. The translucent orange steel and acrylic chairs, coupled with the out-of-place fish tank and Chinese wall hangings, gives the impression that the ambience is not high on the owner's priority list. Harsh fluorescent lighting illuminates the pseudo-bar in the back, which displays a meager collection of brandy and whiskey bottles.

• The Food
  For a modest dining house like this one, the menu is quite diverse, offering quite a number of dishes, from customary Chinese specialties to slightly more exotic Portuguese and Macau-styled delicacies. Macau Portuguese BBQ manages to dispel a popular stereotype about Portuguese food – there are no egg tarts on the menu!

  Traditionalists will enjoy the Seafood Hor Fun ($8-$12). Boasting a generous portion of big, juicy prawns and squid pieces, these flat noodles are covered with thick, tasty gravy, rendering it neither too dry nor too soggy. Mushrooms, sliced carrots and a slightly sweet accompaniment in the form of a home-made chilli sauce complete the well-liked dish.

  If a pleasant, mouth-watering aroma reaches your nostrils, chances are it is the Baked Crab with Fried Rice Portuguese Style ($25). The crustacean sits atop a bed of fried rice, its outer shell coated with buttery goodness. Inside, the meat is soft and fragrant, and oh-so-delicious. What makes this dish distinctly Portuguese is the sausage and black olives in the rice, giving it a unique taste that will sit well with all palates.

  The Baked Mussels with Mushroom, Potato & Cheese ($15) does not quite live up to the standard set by the delectable baked crab. On its own, the cheesy mashed potato with bacon bits is satisfying, though its richness becomes overwhelming after more than a few mouthfuls. Although the potato complements the mussels quite well, their freshness is questionable.

  Disappointingly, the Stir-fried Fish Ball Macau Style ($15) fails to impress. Though aesthetically pleasing, the combination of prawns, squid and fish balls lacks flavour and is nothing more than mediocre. While the carrots, red and green peppers, mushrooms and peanuts add a bit of colour to the concoction, they do nothing to enhance its flavour.

• The Service
  While you are not left unattended, per se, service at Macau Portuguese BBQ is minimal. Our waiter was unobtrusive, but did not seem particularly approachable or eager to make our dining experience more pleasant. Water glasses were refilled on a regular basis, but that's about it. However, the owner, Ms Choi, is friendly, hospitable and down-to-earth.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Macau Portuguese BBQ
Even though the ambience and service is nothing to rave about, I think discerning diners will enjoy the food at this restaurant as it truly has some hidden gastronomical gems. For a laid-back, quiet meal with friends or family, Macau Portuguese BBQ is the place to go, as it is unpretentious and affordable.