Easy come, easy go. This might be the phrase that best describes some of the hip restaurants in the upscale Seminyak area. What were once promising establishments folded up in less than two years; some were not as lucky and closed shop within a few months. Nevertheless, brave entrepreneurs continue to offer diners new places to visit; one such restaurant is Aurora.
Aurora features fine Mediterranean cuisine and a tapas and wine bar. Dine in elegance at the first level where Chef Garfield enthralls you with his repertoire of delicious Mediterranean specialties. The spacious room sports velvet drapes, with multi-colored glassware decorating the walls. An open kitchen enables guests to see the chefs in action. For a romantic dinner, reserve a table in the garden area and dine al-fresco. End the night by walking up to the Cloud Nine bar, which serves tapas and cocktails, especially during happy hour.
If you're new to Mediterranean cuisine, the flavors are strong and distinct; garlic, red onions, and tomatoes stewed in olive oil are commonly used ingredients. Because of the region's proximity to the ocean, seafood is at the core of its cooking heritage; dishes made from shellfish, anchovies, sole, flounder, grouper, swordfish, monkfish, eel, squid and octopus abound. Also popular are mutton, pork, and chicken-based meals.
Here at Aurora, Chef Garfield prepares traditional Mediterranean dishes with a twist. For starters, try the char grilled baby octopus, served with mushroom, spicy chorizo, and anchovy dressing and basil pesto. The baby octopus is tender, its taste enhanced by the anchovy dressing. A plate of Moroccan spiced grilled prawns would also be a great choice; it is served with pickled cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Both dishes are simply filling.
For the main course, the grilled mahi-mahi is superb; it's a fish fillet and mixed bean dish topped with pesto cream sauce and crispy pancetta chips. The pesto cream sauce tastes great with fish or chicken. Aurora 's carbonara is also a must-try.
Aurora holds special events at the Cloud Nine bar. Dance to your heart's content during Salsa Night on Fridays; tune in to classic music played live on Saturdays. Aurora is packed on weekends; head down there a bit early to get a parking slot. Taking a cab would be a more convenient option.
PS: Seats are limited so making reservations beforehand is recommended.
Aurora
Laksamana 72, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 731-060
Opening Hours: Aurora is open from 7 pm to midnight. Cloud Nine is open until 2 am.