If dining out in Durban is a cause for ennui, with more of the same offered at every location, maybe it’s time you tried a taste of Italy… with a twist. While Italian cuisine is nothing new, the way Aurelia’s Restaurant at The Square in Umhlanga does it certainly is. Mouth-wateringly delicious and down to earth, Aurelia’s also offers great atmosphere and a modern take on Italian authenticity.
The recently opened restaurant, which held its official launch on the evening of 13 December, is the brainchild of Vejan and Jenny Pillay – respected players in the business world, especially the property and hospitality industries. It was their son’s complaint that Durban ‘goes to sleep’ at around 10pm (a sentiment shared by many in the Umhlanga area) that sparked Vejan’s idea for a new late night dining concept – offering incredible food and a relaxed, upmarket vibe that could be enjoyed by families and young adults alike.
This is what sets Aurelia’s apart from the rest. Atmosphere is everything in a restaurant, and this is a sophisticated venue that oozes casual charm, where Durbanites can linger late after a meal to enjoy a bottle of wine in the company of friends and family.
Not to say that the food isn’t something to talk about… Head Chef Stephen Crawford (a Christina Martin graduate of 2005) has made a name for himself in the restaurant business, having worked at The Square, Cosmopolitan Restaurant, Wentworth Golf Estate in England, the Beverly Hills Hotel and Durban Country Club. His vision for Aurelia’s menu was to keep it small and simple, with a menu of 20 woodfire oven pizzas and 15 pastas along with various starters and desserts. Specials will also be offered every night. In a commitment to quality, Aurelia’s uses only the best ingredients to produce the items on its exceptional menu. Many ingredients are imported to ensure authenticity (for example, pizza dough flour that allows the edges of pizza bases to ‘pop’ for delicious, crispy flavour) and the restaurant even boasts its own herb garden – a guarantee of absolute freshness. To complement the menu, a selection of award winning wines and small batch craft beers will also be offered.
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The launch event saw guests mingling with the crème de la crème of Durban society while sampling a variety of starters and pizzas. A high number of celebrity guests included Keegan Daniel (Sharks Captain), Shelley Buckle (Miss Ballito), Haroun Hansrot (Fashion Designer), Jailoshni Naidoo (Eastern Mosaic Presenter), Kajal Bagwandeen (Isidingo star) and Joani Mitchell (Master Chef SA finalist)… adding a touch of glamour to the evening. The consensus is that Aurelia’s is, in one word, fabulous – offering patrons the best combination of exquisitely crafted Italian cuisine and an elegant, yet unpretentious atmosphere.
Aurelia’s is located at The Square (250 Umhlanga Rocks Drive) and officially opened to the public on 14 December, with a launch special of 10% off all pizzas for the month of December. The restaurant is open late on Friday and Saturday nights, and provides free basement level parking.
For further information or to book, please call Aurelias on 031 – 566 2725, or follow them on Facebook: AureliasItalianRistorante.
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