Aura

Aura Restaurant Review:

Part restaurant, part bar, part members club, you either love it or hate it. If you get past the door staff without feeling like a poor relation, you're okay. If not...ordinary mortals can book dinner here, but you have to book in advance. The décor is all leather banquettes, dark rich colours, candles and decadence, just the place for the showy celebs who come here. The cooking is surprisingly good, a fine take on pan-Asian cooking. Try the likes of foie gras parfait with toasted brioche, seafood tempura, and sea bass with lemon grass, garlic and ginger on stir-fried vegetables. The resolutely European go for the steak. It's pricey, particularly the drinks, though not many go for the Jeroboam of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne. Or perhaps they do?