[Celebration] Valentine's Date 2014: Aura Brasserie

photo [via]

My dear one and I spent our post-Valentine's date at Aura Brasserie with 19 other friends.  Aura is owned by Chef Frederic Perrier who is "widely recognized for his creativity and inventive nature by introducing Southwestern, South American and Asian influences in his cooking."  The restaurant is described as "innovative American with an 'inch' of French" and was named one of Houston's Top Ten New restaurants.  

It was a cozy place with a long red seating area on one side and a wall featuring glass art on the other.  The menu was a tongue twister for us (lol) but we it turned out that we chose well.

(top Left to Right)  Tikal Locura, Lyonnaise, Filet Mignon, Filet Medallion,  Berkshire Pork Cheeks, Pan seared Striped Bass, Scallops and Lamb Chops

We got a bottle of Tikal Locura (locura = madness) from Sabores de Argentina.  It was a bold red wine made from a blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Torrontes which are three of Argentina's best variety of grapes.  It was really good - smooth and delicious!  For wine lovers, it is 94 points.  The bottle was encased within an authentic Aregentine pato which is a leather cradle designed to hold the ball in the game of Pato which is Argentina's national sport.  The game combines elements from polo and basketball.  Pato in Spanish is 'duck' and it started out as a violent game - I don't want to get so graphic here but I know you get the point.

photo [via]

These are some of what we ordered:

Salade de Chêvre, Endives et Betteraves $10 Baked Goat Cheese with Salt Roasted Beets, Endive & Walnuts 

Salade Lyonnaise $10 Curly Endive with Poached Egg, Pear, Bacon, Croutons & Mustard Vinaigrette 

Gratinée a l’Oignon $9 French Onion Soup 

Bisque de Homard $10 Lobster Bisque 

Joues de Porc “en Meurette”, et Ris de Veau $11 Berkshire Pork Cheeks Braised in Red Wine then Cooked with Pearl Onions, Bacon, Mushrooms, Crispy Sweet Breads and a Poached Farm Egg 

Le Pâté du Chef $10 Chicken Liver & Foie Gras Mousse with Port Wine & Onions Jam 

Foie Gras “Selon l’humeur du Chef” $16 Foie Gras following The Chef’s Mood!

Coquilles Saint-Jacques $28 Diver Scallops over Cauliflower Puree, Arugula Salad & Brown Butter Emulsion 

Saumon aux Asperges $21 Seared Salmon, Parmesan Crusted Asparagus and Citrus Butter 

Loup de Mer $25 Pan Seared Striped Bass with Crab Meat & Corn Risotto, Saffron ButterL’entrecôte Pommes Frites $30 Prime Ribeye with French Fries, Red Wine Reduction 

Filet au Poivre $29 Filet Mignon with Cognac Peppercorn Sauce 

Cotelettes d’Agneau $28 Lamb Chops with White Beans, Sundried Tomato, Garlic Stew & Fresh Mint Pistou 

Jarret de Porc $19 Crispy 12 Hour Pork Shank with Yukon Gold Mash, Caramelized Apples 

& Dijon Mustard Sauce 

Médaillons de Filet aux Champignons $26 Filet Medallions with Truffle Mushroom Risotto, Cognac Sauce

Whew!  That's a mouthful.  The food was unique and delicious.  

Good food + Good company = Perfect date.

Aura Brasserie
15977 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479(281) 403-2872

We don't have children and while our friends had to pick up theirs from the sitters, we went straight home. That's when we realized that "husband and wife" alone time off from the children is very very precious and important to keep their marriage going.  

Love to you all!

♥ michelle