Tradition meets creativity in a stunning space at Aurora by Brunch & Cake, as Apple Sharma discovered when she embarked on a culinary exploration of its inventive menu.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon as I parked my car at Marassi Galleria mall, excited for my lunch rendezvous with colleagues at Aurora by Brunch & Cake. I’d heard amazing things about Brunch & Cake and having walked past it many a time on my shopping sprees, I was even more eager to try Aurora – an elevated concept of the brand.

Before you even step inside, the ambience can be felt from the outside, exuding elegance and style. With a motto of food based on ‘grandma’s goodness’, Aurora stays true to that promise – and then some – with an innovative and deliciously sophisticated menu in a luxurious setting.

As I walked in, I was greeted by Brand Manager, Renee Naude, who welcomed me graciously into the warm, inviting glow of the interior. A marine beach theme flows through the restaurant – from a grand oyster shell and pearl sculpture at the entrance to surfboards mounted on the wall and chandeliers shaped like upside-down boats. Nothing feels kitschy; it’s all tastefully done in muted tones of cream and tan, paired with terrazzo floors and marbled tables. The details are thoughtful, right down to the crocheted cushions and seashell, starfish and seahorse murals.

We sat in the main dining area with a clear view of the outdoor terrace as a soundtrack of mellow, upbeat music set the perfect relaxed mood. As we settled in, we were greeted by Chef Subhash Kothiyal, who explained that the menu is specially curated for Aurora, the only one in Bahrain.

Most dishes came paired with drinks and our lovely waiter, Khaled Al Shafei, kicked things off with the Grape Escape – a mildly sweet mix featuring white grape juice, mint, kiwi, lemon, agave syrup and fruit ice cubes. It was a good match for our first dish, the Salmon Burrata Carpaccio. An edible work of art, it featured beetroot-cured salmon alongside creamy burrata and zesty grapefruit and radish. Ginger jelly added an exquisite depth, complemented by tangy yuzu dressing, while crispy rosemary melba toast provided the perfect crunch. If you’re looking for a light starter with a sweet note, this is your go-to dish.

The Marinated Melon Salad followed – a refreshing salad of melon ribbons and watermelon triangles, cucumber and hazelnuts. The kiwi foam provided a lovely citrusy taste and small jalapeño slices were the perfect accompaniment to the salty grilled halloumi, giving a much-needed hint of chilli to break through the sweetness of the fruit. This was matched by the Dreamsicle Smoothie, another delicious drink made with oat milk.

But what stole the show for me was the Beetroot Salad – a mix of pickled, marinated, honey-roasted and raw candied beetroot with pecan brittle, crisp lettuce and dollops of goat cheese cream. A gorgeous dish that looked as pretty as it tasted, the variety of beetroot and sweet potato brought a lovely earthiness, while the goat cheese cream provided just the right amount of subtle savouriness to the salad. But the absolute star was the topping – a beautifully glossy, transparent potato crisp (which we mistook for a sugar tuile at first), consisting of thin slices of beetroot and a variety of seeds, including pumpkin, sunflower and almonds – mildly flavoured but delightfully crunchy. This was accompanied by Dr. Greens, a healthy green drink of kale, celery and cucumber. Aurora’s signature Pear Barley Porridge came next. A hearty and warm breakfast dish, it featured creamy cardamom barley and purple poached pears filled with crème anglaise and garnished with date and pistachio purée. With flavours in unison and none overpowering the other, the dish is truly ‘grandma’s goodness’ in a bowl and a perfect depiction of how to elevate a simple favourite. A quick interlude of Baked Alaska Affogato brought espresso-drenched vanilla ice cream topped with caramelised meringue. With a lovely marshmallow-like texture, it’s a great choice for someone with a sweet tooth.

Next up was, wait for it… Giant Churros Fries! Yes, you heard that right – these weren’t your regular cinnamon and sugar-coated doughy delights but something even better (at least for me, as I prefer savoury to sweet)! These were oversized churro fries topped with a mountain of parmesan and truffle – super moreish and another tick for Aurora’s ingenuity with flavours.

After a fair amount of deliciously sweet dishes and drinks, including a rich, decadent signature Lotus drink, the savoury Lobster Croffle Benedict was a welcome recess for the palate and an absolute hit at the table. The crispy croffle – a crossover between a croissant and waffle – provided the ideal base for the succulent chipotle lobster and poached egg. The chimichurri hollandaise foam, meanwhile, added a zesty flair and the crispy fried onions and jalapeños elevated this dish to a truly indulgent experience.

Just when we thought we couldn’t fit in another bite, two stunning desserts landed on the table. The Brownie Pistachio Kunafa, my personal favourite, paired traditional kunafa with two slabs of brownie and a generous layer of chocolate ganache – a genius creation that ticked all the boxes in terms of flavour and texture.

The Mango Graham was lighter – cream cheese and graham crackers layered as a set pudding and topped with ripe mango. A cool, simple and refreshing dish.

Aurora by Brunch & Cake delivers what it sets out to do: familiar food elevated in thoughtful, often surprising ways. The menu strikes a balance between comfort and creativity and our meal lingered in conversation long after the last plate was cleared. Whether it’s a laid-back lunch or something a little more special, Aurora offers an experience that feels both relaxed and refined. ✤

GO: CALL 1335 5544 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.