Macau - Aurora

Aurora @ Altira Hotel

on our last half-day at Macau, we weren't able to get a table at Robuchon (seriously, book one month ahead if you want to go during CNY) so we resorted to Aurora, which recently gained a michelin star...

menu

for two courses, $186 and for 3 courses, $218 - extremely reasonable, considering that the restaurant had a lovely ambience, outdoor terrace with a view and inside the Altira Hotel.

two courses meant two dishes from different categories, and 'pizza' came under 'secondi' rather than 'primi' which I thought was slightly restrictive. 

bread basket 

Two tins of these break baskets arrived upon our arrival.  There was a great selection of bread, but this was dangerous because a three-course meal was awaiting us. The breadsticks were thinner than most grissinis i've had, but just as crunchy. My favourite, however, was the sun-dried tomato brioche (pictured below), with a half cherry tomato on top. It was soft and tasty.....only if it were warm! 

Australian beef carpaccio, truffle sauce, and rocket salad with parmesan and pistachio

tuna carpaccio with caper sauce, mediterranean salad, black olive tapenade

Minus the capers (i have yet to find a reason to enjoy them), this was a beautiful and harmonious plate.

Norwegian salmon with fennel, apple and sambuca essence

could've done with a larger more appetizing pile of greens, nonetheless the salmon was a hit.

romaine lettuce with grilled bresse chicken breast, caesar dressing and croutons

fresh ingredients, appropriate amount of dressing, balanced

butternut pumpkin soup with wild mushrooms, pancetta and rosemary

this was under 'primi piatti' which was a first sight for me, but i guess taste is what matters. 

Anyway, this was a delectable bowl of soup though it was a touch too thick (puree-like) for my liking. 

squid ink spaghettini with lobster broth and king prawn

taste-wise, the king prawns were very sweet and juicy. the pasta sauce was on the salty side, and the pasta was too soft, far from al dente. 

carnaroli risotto with baby spinach, crustaceans and zucchini

i didn't try this, but i can say it was visually attractive, and i was told the rice was too soft...

mediterranean-style of Australian lamb rack with garlic and rosemary, vegetables caponata

ma had this, thought the meat was not tender enough.

milanese veal with tomato salad, rocket and mashed potato

B who had this said veal was pounded very thin - probably too thin, but meat was very tender

wagyu beef cheek, celeriac and parsnip puree, broccoli and shiraz red wine sauce

beef was extremely tender, seasonings spot on

japanese cod fillet in pistachio crust, vegetables casserole and pumpkin puree

the tiny piece of 'cod' was very tender but the flesh was unlike any other cod i've had.... perhaps it was the method of cooking? The vegetables were the same as those in the wagyu beef cheek dish which was hardly a 'vegetable casserole'. the puree was very fresh and sweet though, good with the fish.

chocolate fondant with caramelized banana and italian pistachio gelato

caramelized bananas had a very good crunch, the fondant was well executed with the insides 'spilling out' and the cake itself was rich and not too sweet. the pistachio gelato however, could've been stronger in pistachio flavour.

white chocolate mousse with italian meringue and blueberry sorbet

tiramisu with amaretto di saronno liqueur

bowl of berries on the side didn't match, but the tiramisu was light, sweetness was balanced and I really enjoyed the soaked lady finger layers. 

some of us ordered the coffee, which was I think, the illy brand - same scent just stronger than the ones i have at home. i should have asked to make sure, because i really liked it. 

open kitchen

bar area

though the primi and secondi can definitely improve, everything else about our meal was great - appetizers, dessert, service and of course, ambience. and the dinner menu sounds promising too - i guess i'll just have to wait.

Food:  ♥♥♥1/2

Service: ♥♥♥

Price: $$$$

Aurora

10/F, Altira Hotel, Av de Kwong Tung, 

Flores

Tel: +853 2886 8868