Being the first to open has its advantages. As the place is new, Aura has attracted curious visitors and also diners. Since its opening which is less than a month ago, the restaurant is usually full during the weekends. 

This 90-seater restaurant offers all-day dining which is located on the 5^th level and a 200-seater rooftop Sky Lounge offering a salad bar, high tea and bar menu. The view from the Sky Lounge overlooks the spectacular city skyline of Marina Bay.

The first impression when you enter Aura is the wide open space with natural lighting coming from the full length clear glass windows. There is much greenery on the outside which gives a garden-like feel.

I normally do not fancy brunch during the weekends as I find that most restaurants tend to offer a breakfast menu with some extra dishes, and call it brunch. At Aura, the brunch menu sets them apart from other restaurants.

The brunch comprises 6 appetisers, choice of 1 main course and dessert, coffee or tea at $48++ for food only and $98++ with free flow of Prosecco or Bellini.

The six appetisers served were creamy crab cakes with tomato salsa; stracciatella and tomato bruschetta; zucchini flowers with anchovy and mozzarella; parma ham with Rucola and cherry tomatoes; Trofie with truffle pesto and prawns and Garganelli with duck ragu. Of the lot, the two pasta dishes stood out. Trofie is a short and thin pasta that looks like fat curly worms. The truffle pesto sauce hit the right spot. It was fragrant and the prawns provided the added sweetness.

Garganelli with duck ragu was the other winner. The pasta was well-coated with the duck ragu and there was a tinge of sweetness in the gravy. By the time I finished the six appetisers, I was quit stuffed.

There were three main courses to choose from, and I had all the three. Portion sizes for the main course were small. The black cod with tomato and herb crust was perfectly done with the flesh still moist and soft.

The second main course was quail casserole with beetroot and mascarpone orzotto. The quail served was not very meaty and it had a bit of a gamey smell. The beetroot and mascarpone orzotto to be eaten together with the quail, provided a good complement. The third main course was the beef sirloin with asparagus and red wine sauce. The acidity from the sauce helped to balance out the flavours nicely. 

There were 3 desserts offered in the brunch menu, and they happened to be the restaurant’s signature desserts – all made in-house by their chefs. The Amedel chocolate and banana cake was delicious. It was covered with rich and smooth chocolate on the outside whilst the banana cake was soft and light. The Bailey’s and Hazelnut Feuillantine and Mango and Coconut Trifle were highly enjoyable too. While the Hazelnut Feuillantine had a crunchy chocolate base, it wasn’t too sweet, making it rather addictive. The Mango and Coconut Trifle was smooth as silk and tasted like a panna cotta.

The staff are well-trained and friendly. Prices from the ala carte menu seem reasonable considering the sleek ambience. Personally, this is one restaurant which is suitable for a business lunch or a romantic dinner with your loved ones in the evening.

Address:
1 St. Andrews Road
#05-03 & #06-02 National Gallery Singapore

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12 noon to 2.30 pm, Dinner: 6.30pm to 10.30pm (Daily)
Sky Lounge
11.30am to 1.00am (Daily)