Inn at Laurel Point - Victoria BC Hotel
September 26, 2008
Victoria, BC— Victoria food lovers rejoice – the Capital City has a new restaurant, and it’s pulling rave reviews. Aura, the Inn at Laurel Point’s contemporary dining room and waterfront patio offer spectacular views of the Inner Harbour and a menu that makes even the most refined palettes water.
The man behind the menu, executive chef Brad Horen blends fresh Japanese and European flavours for an array of dishes from breakfast through dinner. He maintains a flair for the taste of the West Coast by using local ingredients like Salt Spring Island goat cheese and wild sockeye salmon. Horen also favours organics, and infuses his dishes with flavour through braising (slow cooking).
Although acclaimed as National Chef of the Year by the Canadian Culinary Federation (2007), Horen doesn’t take himself or his dishes too seriously. He encourages guests to play with their food through creative presentations, like minestrone soup served in a French Press.
“Horen’s style is exactly what we envisioned for Aura,” says managing director Ian Powell. “It’s about delicious dishes in an amazing setting – sophisticated but casual.”
The restaurant’s lounge feel provides the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy Horen’s creations. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an array of contemporary furniture, modern accents and a central bar with a sparkling tile backsplash contribute to the restaurant’s special aura that inspired its name.
Aura, lead by the Inn’s outlets manager Stuart Bruce, specializes in local and regional artisan wines, exotic cocktails and classic bar drinks. Bruce and his team take delight in taking diners on wine pairing adventures.
With the opening of Aura, the Inn has brought back its popular Sunday brunch, served from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Inn at Laurel Point is an elegant, Pacific Rim-inspired waterfront hotel located downtown on Victoria's Inner Harbour. Condé Nast Traveler (2007) rated the Inn as One of Canada's Top 25 Hotels.