Auriga restaurant launch shines with stars
Actor Ira Dubey hosted the launch of Auriga – the sparkling new restaurant and lounge and welcome induction into the city’s culinary constellation. Located in mid town Mahalaxmi and dressed in utmost futuristic design, all guests present were mesmerised as much with the food and drinks as were they with the architecture and decor.
Kritika Nagpal, the lady behind the star space welcomed all of Ira’s guests with warmth and hospitality. Among those that were wining and dining with the delectable Pan Asian food, there was industrialist Atulya Mafatlal, theatre personality Dolly Thakore, society lady Nisha Jamwala, actor Lillette Dubey, adv couple Arti and Kailash Surendranath, internationally acclaimed designer Gayatri Khanna, Dr.Farhad Taraporewala, Parveen Dusanj and Mansi Joshi.
Gourmet Renaissance
With dramatic architecture and a scintillating menu that bridges the gap between Asia and the West, Mumbai’s newest lounge-restaurant, Auriga is a shining star in the city’s lifestyle skyscape Auriga – which has both Greek and Chinese references – is the mythological Latin word for ‘charioteer. It is this pioneering spirit that spurred Kritika Nagpal in choosing it as the name for her restaurant-lounge all set to redefine Mumbai’s lifestyle experience. With a business administration degree in hospitality from ‘Les Roches’, Switzerland and experience in India’s finest hospitality brands, Kritika Nagpal’s maiden venture has the required pedigree to dazzle.
Dramatic Impact
Located in Mumbai’s chic Famous Studio Lane at Mahalaxmi, Auriga beckons with a subtly stunning turquoise glow at night. Architect Sanjay Puri has designed the two-level restaurantlounge with dramatic and futuristic highlights. Its 30-seater open café is designed with robust silver triangular metal louvers that form an open-to–sky roof and a beautiful blend of back-lit onyx and elegant cane furniture. The lounge itself – accommodating 250 people on the ground level – is a stroke of sculptural genius, with silver triangular metal louvers that are back-lit with colour-change to invoke an ultramodern and interactive experience. For night revellers, the mood is further enhanced DJ Shiva’s house music and a courteous but discreet staff.
From the lounge, a flight of stairs sweeps up in steel-encased splendour to Auriga’s piece pièce de résistance- the wood-panelled 70-seater restaurant with smooth lines and a verdant view.
Culinary Ingenuity
Chef Nilesh Limaye’s contemporary Pan Asian menu for Auriga – including little bites at the lounge and full courses at the restaurant and café – is a playful and artistic melange of Asian flavours with Western style. Weight watchers can indulge in the scrumptiously steamed Babycorn and mushroom Siu Mai, Green Leafy Rolls and Mushroom and Bamboo Shoot Tapioca Dumpling. The rest of the menu flits seamlessly between Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Singaporean and Malaysian influences with modish European influences.The restaurant also recognizes that Mumbai’s food connoisseurs are often time-pressed; hence the Meal-in-a-Bowl section of the menu, featuring Mung Bean Murtabak with Malaysian Vegetable Curry, Khao Suey and Yellow Noodle with Tomatoes and Crispy Okra, amongst other delights. The dessert menu is designed to be addictive, with Chocolate and Mint Samosas, Banana Strawberry Melt and Passion Fruit Cheesecake and many more soul-satisfying other classics.
With a menu and an ambience that will surpass Mumbai’s discerning gourmands and lifestyle aficionados, Auriga is all set to sparkle brilliantly.
