Golden Court is located on the third floor of Sands Casino in Macau. Although the Cantonese restaurant only opened in 2004, the decor is somewhat dated with semi circle booths set along the sides and spacious tables scatted around the open restaurant. The distant din of the casino can be heard, and with no views to counter balance the noise, the restaurant has a somewhat canteen atmosphere.

Golden Court serves a Cantonese menu with traditional Chinese meals with a dim sum menu available until five each afternoon; as well as the distinctive poached meats in five spices from Chiuchow and homemade Cantonese barbecued meats. The baked chicken in rock salt is a signature dish, as it should be with its succulent meat and a crispy fragrant skin paired with a lovely wild ginger and garlic dip. From a wide selection of both live seafood and dried seafood, we enjoyed the braised abalone, which is wonderfully cooked. However, the presentation could have been better as a lot more of the gorgeous aromatic sauce slopped over on the tablecloth. Other seasonal varieties are incorporated by the clearly talented chef but a lack of care from waiting staff makes this Golden Court feel more like a quick pit stop for nourishing and well-executed dishes between hands of poker rather than a dining destination in its own right.

A wide selection of wines available courtesy of the hotel and other dining venues; a good selection of Chinese teas is also available.

On the whole, Golden Court is let down by its service. No one mans the door of the restaurant and when we do finally speak to someone, there is no record of our booking. The staff is not enthusiastic about introducing the menu or any of the seasonal specialities, and there were quite a few dirty table left uncleared in plain view of diners. While there are no egregious mistakes and dishes arrive in good time, overall there is little effort made to make guests feel welcome.

A meal for two without wine will cost around MOP800, with wine about MOP1,100. Golden Court undoubtedly offers good food but its lacklustre service and lack of attention to detail make this quite a pricy choice.