Aurora: an intimate restaurant that invites you to travel!
Update: I was saddened to learn that the restaurant had recently closed its doors 🙁
The Aurora restaurant is one of my latest nuggets for which I’ve fallen head over heels. Aurora is located in one of Edinburgh’s trendiest districts, in Leith, on the main street. It’s easy to miss the entrance to the restaurant, so discreet is the window display. I had the impression of going into a small secret place, where only a few guests (there are 18 place settings) are invited to enjoy chef Kamil Witek‘s cuisine. The setting is simple but warm. The chef’s aim is for us to concentrate solely on the food and the tastes. Not on the decoration, which here is merely superficial. And it works! You feel at home, as if you were at a friend’s house.
Kamil Witek offers a modern and refined cuisine that takes us on a journey. His cuisine features influences from the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
Chef Kamil Witek is originally from Poland. He didn’t set out to become a chef. His first project was to become an actor, but he realized that this kind of profession was not necessarily synonymous with stability. And considering what he can offer in the kitchen, I can say that he really made the right decision to change direction.
L’Aurora offers two gourmet evening menus, a vegan version and a classic 6-course version. Menus change with the seasons.
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A creative, experimental cuisine that gives a new dimension to vegan cooking!
A great lover of good food, I was quite surprised by this establishment. I have to admit that it had been a while since someone had awakened my taste buds in this way. The combinations were truly astonishing. I really enjoyed discovering new flavors.
Ct just goes to show once again that vegetarian (or vegan) cuisine is rich in taste and possibilities.
I fell in love with the asparagus (a perfectly executed trompe l’oeil)! I also fell in love with the cjarsons, which are little ravioli: I must admit I would have eaten more of them, they were so tasty 😉
Menu I tasted:
Amuse bouche
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Padrón pepper / rhubarb / white vinegar / basil
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Pâtisson / apricots / pine nuts / bay leaf
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Asparagus / chickpeas / dill / potato / yeast potato / yeast
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Cjarsons / hazelnut butter / cocoa nibs / arugula
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Eggplant / potato / grape leaf / baba ghanoush
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Optional vegan cheeses
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Dark chocolate / mezcal / mango / habanero pepper / peanuts
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Petit fours
Best Veggie Tables' opinion
To sum up: A great restaurant in the making which, in my opinion, should (soon?!?) be awarded a star!
Areas for improvement: I wasn’t really convinced by the dessert, as the taste of chocolate and mezcal overpowered the mango.
Last visit: April 2023 (1 visit)
Where to find this exceptional table
Aurora – restaurant closed
187 Great Junction St, EH6 5LQ, Edinburgh