Lord of the Egg Tarts

In 1989, Andrew Stow, an expat from England, developed a unique recipe for the perfect pastry: the egg tart (蛋挞). According to the sign outside his famous shop on Coloane Island, the treat is a combination of the classic Portuguese tart, with an English style filling. Out of an Industrial Pharmacist, a culinary legend was born...

Lord Stow, as he came to be known, left a legacy that continues to amaze me. Not only did these egg tarts become a specialty of Macau, they expanded to Hong Kong, and are served throughout China as a southern Chinese specialty. Few people know the name "Lord Stow" outside of the Macau/Hong Kong region, but the tarts reign across Asia and even in Dimsum restaurants around the world. 

While you can find a good egg tart in many a bakery, their quality and overall custard-y goodness are nothing compared to a warm one, fresh out of Lord Stow's oven. You can visit Lord Stow's Bakery in sleepy Coloane and take a tart to the waterfront where you can look across the water at mainland China. 

Not only does the bakery serve their famous treat though! They have a wide variety of baked goods as well as homemade drinks like lemonade, and delicious sandwiches. If a picnic by the water isn't your style (though it should be :)), the Lord Stow franchise has opened up two restaurants on the same block. I tried the Garden Cafe, where I had an AHmazing lasagna lunch and Thai tea. Apparently the Thai specialties are excellent as well. 

Lord Stow's definitely deserves high marks in my book for both deliciousness and the quaint but beautiful surroundings. If Macau is in your future, this spot is a must must.