Cover Bistro Aurora's Burrata Salad
Bistro Aurora's Burrata Salad
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Aurora opens its second restaurant at The Podium, Bistro Aurora, offering an all-day menu where bright breakfasts meet elegant steak dinners that blend comfort and refinement
There’s a new reason to linger at The Podium. At Bistro Aurora, the rhythm of the day unfolds gently: the morning crowd gathers for salmon avocado toast and coffee; by evening, the clink of glasses rings through the room. The warm, younger sibling to Makati’s beloved Aurora, this new all-day dining concept brings bold Asian flavours and relaxed sophistication to Podium Social, the mall’s freshly opened sixth-floor dining hub, proving that refinement need not come at the expense of ease.
“Bistro Aurora serves as a new wing for us,” says founder and owner Nilo Divina, who opened Aurora in Makati two years ago. “We envision that this will allow us to maintain the Aurora brand that we have built, but at the same time, we are able to push beyond our limits as far as our operations are concerned.”
Read more: The Taste Edit at Podium Social: limited-edition menus available this October only
Above Bistro Aurora is one of five new restuarants at Podium Social, located on the 6th floor of The Podium
Above Nilo Divina, founder and owner of Bistro Aurora
Bistro Aurora is one of five new restuarants at Podium Social, located on the 6th floor of The Podium
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Where the original Aurora became known for its sophisticated business lunches and polished yet intimate dinners, Bistro Aurora expands that experience across the entire day. It’s a natural evolution of the brand, designed for today’s diners—those who might come in for a leisurely breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up or drinks that stretch long into the evening. “The expansion is in line with our desire to cater to more people, knowing that today, with the fast-paced lifestyle of many, special dining should not just be limited to lunch and dinner alone,” Divina explains.
The bistro’s interiors mirror this flexibility: open and sunlit by day, softly lit and convivial by night. It’s the kind of place that welcomes both a solo coffee and a celebratory steak dinner—elevated but never intimidating.
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Bistro Aurora at Podium Social transforms throughout the day, making it a reliable spot for breakfast through to dinner and late-night drinks
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At the heart of Bistro Aurora’s kitchen is executive chef Mark Sanchez, who also helms the original Aurora. Together with Divina, he has crafted a menu that bridges the familiar and the unexpected. The philosophy remains rooted in what they call “the heart of Asia, redefined”, bringing together regional flavours through a modern lens.
Guests can begin their day with comforting plates like the salmon avocado toast, or pop in for lunch favourites such as the laksa mussels and salmon donburi, bestsellers from the original Aurora. For something more indulgent, branch exclusives like the Wagyu dumplings and XO hofan offer a rich, savoury bite. In need of a hearty fix? Their power lunches and steak rice sets are well-suited to executives on the move but unwilling to compromise on quality. Come nightfall, dinner takes shape with dishes meant for sharing: burrata salad, tomahawk steak and other indulgences that pair beautifully with the house’s curated wines and cocktails.
“We have around 36 dishes ranging from breakfast to dinner,” Divina shares. “Our diners now come here not just for the food, but also for our drinks—our signature cocktails and mocktails have really become part of the experience.” Those still looking for tasty late-night bites can enjoy small plates like tuna ceviche and tamarind skewers, primed to be enjoyed with some cheeky tipples.
See also: The secret Asian histories behind your favourite Western dishes
Above Wagyu beef dumplings from Bistro Aurora
Above Bistro Aurora’s steak fried rice
Wagyu beef dumplings from Bistro Aurora
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The choice of location, he adds, was intentional. “The Podium Social is a new go-to place at The Podium which offers a new concept of dining, drinking and everything that makes it special,” he says. “Being one of the five selected restaurants here, we feel that we are able to complement the concept of Podium Social with our elevated Asian concept.”
As part of Tatler Dining’s latest campaign with The Podium and Martell VSOP, The Taste Edit at Podium Social, these five establishments have created limited-run menus available exclusively for the month of October. Inclusive of two cocktails infused with the sultry magic of Martell VSOP, it’s an invitation to discover what makes this new Ortigas enclave so promising—and for Bistro Aurora, a chance to introduce its vibrant menu to its new patrons, from couples looking for their next go-to date spot to co-workers seeking an easygoing place to unwind after a well-earned day.
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Bistro Aurora's salmon donburi makes a memorable first impression
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Above Bistro Aurora's mixologist Jomer Calangian
Above The popcorn tea, a cocktail from Bistro Aurora
Bistro Aurora's mixologist Jomer Calangian
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Beyond the food and drink, Divina remains grounded in the emotional roots of the brand. Aurora, he explains, was named after his mother—a tribute to the warmth and love that defined his childhood meals. “I realised since then that good food starts with how much love was put into the cooking and preparation of the dish,” he shares. “So when I thought about putting up a restaurant, I knew I had to name it after my mum. After all, what is food without love?”
That sentiment carries through in every detail, from the attentive service to the familiar comfort of flavours that feel both homegrown and elevated. Bistro Aurora is, in many ways, a reflection of Divina’s own story: grounded in family, but always reaching for something greater.
In its first few weeks, the bistro has already drawn both the loyal followers of its Makati predecessor and new guests discovering the brand for the first time. Between its thoughtful food, its easy elegance, and its prime location at Podium Social, Bistro Aurora sets the tone for a new kind of dining—one that celebrates the flow of the day, the spirit of Asian flavours and the love that inspired it all.
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Bistro Aurora is located at Podium Social, 6/F The Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open from 8am to 11pm daily. Stay up to date with their latest offerings via Facebook at @bistroaurora and Instagram at @bistroauroraph.
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About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
