An Oasis in Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse
Where the legendary café Ernst once was, the Aurora restaurant has presented itself in new splendour since January 2016. Four passionate young restaurant chefs got the lease for this location at Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse 61. Chef Stefano Carrado, Restaurant Management Assistant Alexander Unterberg and the two proprietors Michael Oberperfler und Stefan Persterer are the protagonists and the latter three have already worked together for many years before they became self-employed. With their restaurant, the bar and a unique boulevard catering, they breathe new culinary life into Zurich’s famous street. Regardless of whether you have a business lunch, an exquisite dinner or a quick snack, the light Mediterranean cuisine convinces just as much as the philosophy of providing the guests with a familiar atmosphere.
Mr. Persterer, what has changed at Aurora since 4 January?
The concept was turned upside down. We implemented a slight ‘facelifting’ throughout the restaurant, redesigned the walls, changed the colour concept that was previously based on pink and pastel shades and employed a completely new team.
What is the philosophy behind the new concept?
We want to provide our guests with a familiar atmosphere. And that is why the four of us always work full-time and are always present. Our guests simply appreciate it when we know where they like to sit and what their favourite drinks are.
How would you describe your culinary offer?
It is very much a Mediterranean, light cuisine that allows crossovers to suit everybody’s taste. I would describe it as an honest cuisine where the focus is on top-quality products and the fresh preparation of all ingredients. You won’t find any powder or stock cubes at our restaurant and that is of course an aspect that our guests very much appreciate in these fast-moving times.
Besides the restaurant, you also have a wonderful bar on the ground floor…
That’s right, we want to make the bar a cosy meeting place where people meet after shopping or after work, get to know each other and have conversations. The bar opens in the morning at 10 o’clock with coffee and croissants. At lunchtime, we offer small delicacies for a quick snack, and then continue with the aperitif business in the evening. The bar therefore completely changes its offer during the day.
The boulevard catering is new in Bahnhofstrasse…
That’s right. We have 80 seats that are distributed across three areas. A restaurant area, a separate lounge area with bar and our café with bistro tables in the front area where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle in Bahnhofstrasse. In summer, this oasis is of course unique in Bahnhofstrasse.
Is it also possible to rent the Aurora as event location?
Yes, you can rent the bar and/or the restaurant. We have space for 160 persons for a flying dinner or for 100 persons for a sitting dinner. That has meanwhile become very popular.
