Aura (已結業)

Aura occupied a unit on the fifth as the restaurant while directly above is the sky lounge. I thought it could be a great place for brunch with my mom on a Sunday. I tried making a reservation via the website twice but failed as it requires 24 hours lead time to reply. As such, on my second failed attempt, I decided to take the risk and walk-in early. Indeed, either go early, as early as 12 pm when it opens or make sure a reservation is made if after 1 pm.Both the restaurant and the sky lounge offer different dinning experience with unsimilar ambience. The feel of the restaurant is more slanted to the fine dinning arena while the sky lounge offer an elegant, relaxed and casual dinning atmosphere. A reservation with tables next to the glass at the sky lounge would be a perfect dinning experience.Sky LoungeOn weekdays, at the sky lounge, it offers Salad Buffet of roasted vegetables, salads and homemade breads.When weekends arrived, an Ala Carte Menu is offered instead with as much as 12 selection, ranging from eggs, salad, sandwiches to pasta and sweets.RestaurantOver at the Aura Restaurant, the weekends Brunch Menu is available. I thought the Brunch Menu was a good way to try as many food as possible. It is priced at $48 per person for food only. If diners prefer to have free flow of Prosecco and Bellini, it is priced at $98 per person.Swiftly the complimentary Focaccia bread was served once order was completed.We were served with the pastas before the remaining apperitzer, I decided to start with Stracci with Duck Ragu. We were mesmerized by its taste immediately.Next, was the Trofie with Truffle Pesto and Prawns. This isn’t for my mom at all. She tried and never turned to it for more. I was neutral though not exactly enjoying it. This surely isn’t for everyone due to the strong aroma from both the truffle and pesto resulting in some kind of acquired pungent flavour. Both the Stracci and Troffie were well made; smooth and soft to the chew.Next, the Parma Ham with Musk Melon and Stracciatella & Tomato Bruschetta, Calarmari and Crab Crostini were served. Nothing outstanding about these. But the soft to the chew calamari is still worth highlighting.3 choices for Mains with Sirloin with Asparagus and Red Wine Sauce and Hokkaido Scallops with Porcini and Beetroot as our order. The third was Black Cod with Tomato and Herb Crust.Luckily, I agreed to Medium Rare for the Sirloin with Asparagus and Red Wine Sauce, otherwise, it would prove a challenge for my jaw. My mom doesn’t usually prefer beef actually wanted more after her first small piece.Hokkaido Scallops with Porcini and Beetroot has good pairing of ingredients. As long as seafood is fresh, it can’t go too wrong.We have both the Bailey’s & Hazelnut Feuillantine and Chestnut Pannacotta with Mandarin Coulis. I started with the former. Hazelnut flavour was strong while bailey was weak to savour. Moving to the latter, we were surprised by how the citrusy zest of orange could be in perfect harmony with the nuttiness chestnut. I was blown away by this dessert. As I have no expectation for it since I don't have good prior experience on anything chestnut.Coffee and Tea were part of the Brunch. I have my usual Cappucino. I like the low acidity, full body and nutty cuppa.Aura Restaurant has a classy dinning environment though it gets noisy when the restaurant was at 80% capacity. The service staff that attended our table was warm, chatty and certainly professional; introducing us the menu and making recommendation to us to help the decision process. Coming to food, we felt they were fresh. Most of which leaned towards our preference except for the more adventurous Triofe with Truffle Pesto and Prawns.For more review, visit http://www.nahmj.com/…查看更多

The restaurant is located at the going to open National Gallery Singapore. It is opened by Beppe de Vito who is the one behind il Lido in Sentosa. The restaurant offers Italian cuisine in posh style. The main restaurant is located at the level 5, the sky lounge is located at level 6. With a restaurant week reservation, it is interesting to find that I am being showed to a table at the sky lounge. The place has both aircon and alfresco dining areas, overlooking the The Padang, with a great view of Marina Bay Sands. Today we are having the restaurant week lunch which costs $40++ per person and consists of a starter, a pasta, a main and a dessert, with bread and coffee or tea included.We start the meal with some breads, served with olive oil dip. While the bread is not served hot, it is soft and fluffy inside. Hokkiado Scallops Crudo with Truffle ($25)The raw scallops are lightly seasoned, and goes quite well with the tangy sweet pomegranate arils (seeds) and puree sauce. The dish is served in a colorful and playful, which looks very appetizing. The smoked quail egg is like mini version of the lava egg which is usually found in ramens. Whole Wheat Stracci with Duck & Foie Gras ($32)We are surprised with the chunks of foie gras, which tastes buttery smooth. Although the dish is filled with minced duck meat, the gamey taste of duck is not overwhelming here. For mains, there is 2 choices available.Black Cod with Beetroot and Porcini Mushrooms The cod is juicy and chunky, served a richly colorful bed of beetroot puree. Beef Sirloin with Asparagus and Red Wine SauceThe serving is rather small, about half the size when compared to the cod. Although cooked medium, the texture is a bit tough than preferred. There is barely any sauce.Lastly for dessert, we haveStrawberry, Pistachio & Chocolate Profiteroles ($18)Although the dessert is simply profiteroles, they are distinct in their own taste, especially the pistachio - strong in flavour and light without feeling too creamy.We end the meal with a selection of Fine Teas and Coffee.Overall the food is not bad. Service is not bad too, although it would be better if the staff has made a better job of clearing the bread crumbs on the table. It is not often to see staff using the metal ruler like stuff to clear the table. The restaurant is such a relaxing place that 2.5 hours of lunching has gone in a blink.…查看更多