{Update: 10 August 2017}
It has been over a year since I visited Aura for its Sunday Brunch, and happy to say, it was as good as ever! They’ve still maintained the $48 set price, and the portions remain generous.
Still meant to be served as a “family-style” Italian brunch, you get a variety of 5 sharing appetizers – this time round we had the Burrata and Proscuitto, Crispy Calamari, Tuna Tartare and 2 unctuous pastas.
Frankly, I was already full on appetizers, but they have mastered the art of feeding you to just the right level! The mains were gorgeous, I especially enjoyed my Smoked Duck and Liver, and the choices presented for the mains were well-balanced to the decadent starters we had.
And amazingly, we managed to squeeze in the Tiramisu and Lemon Curd tart that came as part of the set.
It’s rare to go back to a place where you had a blast and find that the quality and generosity still remain the same. Oh, and did I mention they are family-friendly? Many kids with their families were truly enjoying an Italian-style Sunday brunch when I was there!
{Original Post: 8 Jan 2016}
If you’re thinking of getting your mind and tummy simultaneously stimulated, skip on over to the National Gallery this weekend. Get your fill of Southeast Asian art and then try Aura Restaurant for brunch on Saturday/Sunday.
Aura has Aura Restaurant on the 5th floor and the Aura Sky Lounge on 6th.
Opinions seem mixed on this, but it appears to be that the experience at the restaurant itself versus the Sky Lounge is very different. We were pleasantly surprised a couple of times by the wait staff at the restaurant – for example, when they mixed up a dessert order, they left the “wrong” dessert with us while they went to get the other option, so we ended up with an extra dessert.
The ambience too is particularly suited for raucous gatherings – a possible occurrence if you choose to take up the free flow prosecco and bellini deal.
As for the food, it’s a Mediterranean lunch – and overall, it is good value. At $48++ ($98++ for free flow cava and bellini), you get a range of shared appetizers like parma ham with sliced melons, crostini with burrata or crab toppings, calamari and a couple of pasta starters – I particularly enjoyed the truffle prawn pasta.
For mains, you select amongst 3 options. We had scallop, fish or beef to choose from. Frankly after the buffet of appetizers, the mains pale – well, in terms of size at least. But that might be a good thing because you’re most likely going to be full from the appetizers and you want to save room for dessert. Which are generously sized and delicious. Especially the chocolate dessert.
And, after you’ve had your brunch break, provided you can still stand straight, you can visit the rest of the gallery. Quite a pleasant way to spend a weekend, indeed.
Address: 1 St. Andrews Road, 05-03 National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
Contact: (65) 68661977 or book@aura.sg
Website: http://www.aura.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aura.nationalgallery