Aura

Description

Design is charmingly minimalist, featuring Asian overtones and a bill of fare that complements the setting. It, too, is minimalist but varied enough to please even picky eaters. Diners can choose the multi-course prix fixe menu ($30) or go the traditional route of soup or salad, appetizers, entrees, etc. Just make sure to leave room for dessert - because nobody in town does it better. Starters are delightful. The chilled jumbo asparagus salad ($8) is a wonderful medley that includes roasted organic baby beets, warm herb-crusted chevre and baby greens. The pear carpaccio ($11) is a mix of prosciutto di Parma, a tangle of frisee, Parmigiana Reggiano and aged balsamic. Even the bread basket exceeds expectations. It contains first-class focaccia with tomato and onion, raisin buns, chewy ciabatta, a roughed wheat bread and crisp lavash. The sugarcane "lacquered" halibut ($26) is a show-stopper. The impeccably fresh, flaky white fish was partnered with coconut jasmine rice, the perfect starch to amplify the rich flavor, and a bundle of baby bok choy with a citrus ponzu. Other stellar seafood selections include seared diver scallops ($25), the tender, sweet mollusks accompanied by incredible truffled polenta, black olive vinaigrette and smoked bacon. Aura’s South American mixed grille ($27) also garners rave reviews. This dish combined perfectly cooked and seasoned churrasco steak, pork tenderloin and chorizo with a yucca smash and chimichurri sauce. If at all possible, sample the incredible truffle-parmesan fries, a not-to-be missed taste sensation. After dinner, try the mini dessert shooters, which come three for $15. The amazing line-up includes pretty glass cylinders filled with coconut tapioca and wild strawberries, caramelized bananas and chocolate cream, a lemon and pound cake parfait, vanilla yogurt panna cotta with roasted pineapple and macadamia crumble, apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream - whew - and a mini classic Coke float. The lounge serves food until midnight and the restaurant is open for breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 6 to 10 p.m.

Location