Aura's patio overlooks both lake and mountains. Since it was a lovely summer day, we sat outside and enjoyed the serene view of the lake - people canoeing and dogs playing on the pier. Though most of the tables outside were taken, the tables were well spaced such that everyone still had their privacy, it was a very pleasant dining experience.
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| View from our table |
To start, we had a refreshing gazpacho with herbs from their roof top garden.
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| Gazpacho Amuse Bouche |
For the appetizer, I decided on the black garlic cappellini which tasted rather Asian and I quite enjoyed it. The little bits of black garlic melts in your mouth with such complex flavours - a bit sweet, a bit garlicky, even a bit fruity - yummy.
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Black Garlic Cappellini and Spicy Cuttlefish in Broth
King Oyster Mushroom and Scallions |
D had the foie gras bombe which was very decadent coupled with the marbled brioche and amarena cherries - so smooth, so rich, so buttery and so fruity...I was left wanting more. I'll definitely order this the next time.
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Vidal Ice Wine and Quebec Foie Gras Bombe, Marbled Brioche
Celery and Pumpkin Salad, Amarena Cherries |
For our mains, I had the halibut. Super fresh, it had very intense smoky flavours that on its own were a bit too much for me but together with the bulgar, chorizo and spinach, the taste actually grew on me.
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Wild Pacific Halibut Roasted in Black Cardamom and Paprika
Toasted Bulgar with Chorizo and Dill, Sautéed Spinach |
D ordered the bison shortrib - he said it was good and very tender.
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Glazed Bison Shortrib and Pemberton Potatoes, Tokyo Turnips
Tiroler Bacon, Swiss Chard, Shaved Horseradish |
We finished off the meal with textures of chocolate and an espresso and bourbon baba. The textures of chocolate was interesting - so much going on on the plate. Where to even start? Mmmm... the creamy chilled chocolate on the left, with a bit of the crunchy chocolate, a bit of the aerated chocolate and strawberries with some chocolate sauce. A good combination. I didn't quite like the white chocolate and okanagan chevre though but overall, an enjoyable dessert.
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Textures Of Chocolate
Chilled Bitter Chocolate Soufflé, White Chocolate and Okanagan Chevre, Salted Chocolate and Peppered Strawberries, Agassiz Hazelnuts |
D's espresso and bourbon baba was heavenly. The cake is dipped in espresso and bourbon, those flavours combined with the dark chocolate ice cream and orange foam coupled with a nice crunch of dried bananas - just so much going on yet everything compliments each perfectly.
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Espresso and Bourbon Baba
Orange Curd, Chocolate Ice Cream, Smoked Banana Crunch, Coconut Molasses |
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| Textures of Chocolate from the Tasting Menu |
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| Espresso and Bourbon Baba |
Nope you're not seeing double .... the desserts were so good that I decided that I needed to have one more - the expresso and bourbon baba. I had to satisfy my craving if not I would be dreaming of it. D was nice enough to accompany me so that I wouldn't look so greedy. The couple sitting in front of us overheard us ordering dessert No. 3 and were hesitating a bit about ordering the dessert from the tasting menu, they gave their stamp of approval for the tasting menu dessert and told us we won't regret ordering it - they were right!!! That chocolatey dessert was sooo good. If I had the space, I would have gone for another.
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| Petit Fours |
This was my best meal in BC. Aura gets top marks for innovation and originality. Thank you for the memorable meal. Compliments to the executive chef, Tim Cuff and the restaurant chef, Owen Foster. Tim, our server also gave great recommendations for the food and wine pairings, he also offered up little bits of information about the food - it's nice that he was so knowledgeable. I'll definitely be back again to try their 5 course tasting menu and maybe the 10 course one too. Apparently since they introduced their 10 course tasting menu, there have been 18 people who have tried it. Would you?
2131 Lake Placid Road
(604) 966-5700
