💫 Cosmic Culinary Creations at Celeste's Aurora Restaurant
"We've done a lot of menu development to fit the celestial theme," clarifies Chef Mike Trudnak of Aurora Restaurant at The Celeste Hotel, "we're not a typical hotel restaurant."
The Celeste at UCF features luxury hotel rooms that have an astrological aesthetic with carefully curated artwork. The hotel feels vibrant and dreamy with galactic decor that includes rocket ship models and star-like lighting structures. The rooms feel up-to-speed with furnishings that appear sleek to any stargazer.
The Aurora Restaurant is an extension of the aesthetic hotel, with dishes that parallel the cute cosmology. Visitors don’t need to be checked into a room at the hotel to enjoy the cosmic creations of the restaurant. However, booking a room is helpful for nursing a satisfying food coma after enjoying a galactic experience at The Aurora. Take a sight of our bites!
🍷 Wine & Honeydew
The culinary journey begins with a wine flight, where the red flight option consists of a Pinot Noir, Malbec, and a Cab. The deep flavors lend itself to the tequila soak of the first dish, which is a Brule Honeydew Sphere. The Margarita pistachio dust adds a nutty depth to the juicy bite, complimenting the warmth of the cilantro infusion.
🥚 Quail Egg
This deviled egg flight features quail egg topped with an array of tobiko. Though all the tobiko have a salty taste, the green and red pearls hold a slight kick of spice, while the black tobiko leans toward an umami flavor. The drizzle of sriracha slightly spices the dish.
🍅 Tomato
This dish features heirloom tomatoes, all holding a juicy bite. There are subtle differences in flavor between the tomatoes, from low acidity to sweet finishes. The tomatoes are served alongside mozzarella and a crouton for texture variation, while the basil oil emphasizes the freshness of the plate. The balsamic flavor is encapsulated in caviar pearls.
🥩 Steak Sope
The steak in this Sope dish is is accompanied by pineapple salsa served in a sphere shape. The salsa pearls provide a burst of smooth tang, making it a more unique experience than a dollop or drizzle of salsa. The paprika herb sauce adds some fragrance, topped with micro cilantro.
🍤 Shrimp & Grits
This seafood dish holds shrimp dusted in cajun for a southern-inspired flavor. The grits are creamy, composed of four cheeses. A slightly dry depth is added with white wine, while lemon adds a hint of acidity, making this an elevated version of a familiar, homegrown dish.
🍠 Root Pave
This dish features several layers of root vegetable, including beets in this case. The thin layers provide a light, yet earthy bite. The pave is complimented by the slightly nutty flavor of the Chinese black rice, served atop a dual puree: green pea and celeriac puree.
🍖 Tenderloin
The pork tenderloin packs a salty bite, emphasized the by the savory taste of the mustard demi-glace. The flavor is calmed by the sweet starch of the sweet potato hash, served alongside sautéed kale.
🍮 Rice Pudding
This dessert dish features a subtly sweet pudding flavored with coconut cream. Tartness is added by fresh fruit, including blueberries and raspberries. Pomegranate seeds are scattered throughout with a pomegranate drizzle. The dish is garnished with sugar glass for visual interest and flare.
For guests seeking an astrological spot to embark on a starry culinary journey, The Aurora at The Celeste has an array of cultural flavors that will satisfy any craving!
