Chef Avner Samuel

Sharing another great article I came across - Dallas News, 2005

“Is the DINING ROOM the new RUNWAY? In a town with MORE RESTAURANTS per capita than New York City, a lot of us are eating well - and the chance to SEE AND BE SEEN is just the glaze on the crème brûlée. Here’s the INSIDER DISH on five local food-and-fashion HOT SPOTS”

AURORA: AN AURA OF GLAMOUR
Playing dress-up is easy at Aurora, exec chef Avner Samuel’s five-star jewel-box eatery. Perhaps it’s due to the restaurant’s new chauffeured Bentley LeMans that (for a fee) picks you up at the door. Or maybe it’s the cozy dining room (just a dozen tables) dripping with Limoges china and Christole silver.

Regardless, these luxe touches are mere backdrops to the real delight here: Chef Avner’s high-concept American cuisine, executed with plenty of French flair and plated with near-theatrical style.
4216 Oak Lawn Ave.; 214-528-9400

What to sip: 1995 V***e Clicquot
Ponsardin Champagne

What the foodies order: Truffle Viennoise of Dover sole filled with diver scallops, served with a pomme puree Joel Robuchon and wild mushrooms. Of course, the menu varies based upon what’s in season around the globe.

What to wear: For a champagne occasion, there’s no place better to pull it all together (go Deco to echo the 20s-glam decor). But even though the cuisine is high concept, the outfit doesn’t have to be. Jackets are optional; come casual if you like. (Right) Her “Gemma” floral-print wool-silk bubble dress, $1,500, Luca Luca. Kara Ross 18 karat gold cuff, $7,000, Stanley Korshak. His Armani Collezioni 3-button pinstriped suit, $1,695, cotton shirt, $245, and silk tie, $105, all Stanley Korshak.

Don’t miss: Chef Avner’s ultraposh wine cellar, boasting more than 3000 bottles of the good stuff with a private table
that can seat up to 10. How swank is it? Fashion designer Salvatore Ferragamo has lifted a flute here.”

(BY CHRISTOPHER WYNN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVANS CAGLAGE
STYLINGST TAMMY THEIS)

Success does not come by chance. It takes dedication, discipline, perseverance, organization and focus. And of course - teamwork! I was blessed to have a talented team working by my side throughout my career and especially at my beloved Aurora.

Looking back, the highlight of my culinary journey was when I opened my dream restaurant, Aurora, in August 2003. The Dallas Morning News claimed it was the “farthest reaching, most daring restaurant” to open that year, and Aurora was awarded 5 Stars as well as the “number one best new restaurant.”

Local and National media attention focused quickly, with Gourmet Magazine writing that Aurora is “where to eat right now in 30 American cities,” and Men’s Health stating that Aurora is “one of 11 restaurants, worldwide, that mean business.”

(Article- Teresa Gubbins, Dallas Morning News; Photos - Brad Loper)

Always Mauviel in my kitchen. The finest tools inspire precision, passion and excellence in every dish I create. Great cuisine begins with respect for craftsmanship and the pursuit of perfection.🔪✨

“The ultimate masterpiece of famed Chef Avner Samuel is Aurora, the preeminent upscale dining destination in Dallas. A lifetime in the making, the five-star eatery serves as the perfect stage for guests to savor its innovative American-French creations, taste the world’s finest wines and champagnes and to revel in impeccable service.

The jewel box, known as Aurora, creates an extraordinary sensory experience with its lush beige ultra-suede walls, Limoges china and Christofle silver, all beautifully framed by an enchanting art-etched, Lalique-style glass The heart of this intimate masterpiece is Avner’s kitchen, where he creates delicacies with Italian truffles, diver scallops, foie gras and Osetra caviar.”

Special thank you to my longtime customers who brought me some mementos from Aurora. Too large to post the entire publication, but sharing a snippet!

“The ultimate masterpiece of famed Chef Avner Samuel is Aurora, the preeminent upscale dining destination in Dallas. A lifetime in the making, the five-star eatery serves as the perfect stage for
guests to savor its innovative American-French creations, taste the world’s finest wines and champagnes and to revel in impeccable service.

The jewel box, known as Aurora, creates an extraordinary sensory experience with its lush beige ultra-suede walls, Limoges china and Christole silver, all beautifully framed by an enchanting art-etched, Lalique-style glass.

The heart of this intimate masterpiece is Avner’s kitchen, where he creates delicacies with Italian truffles, diver scallops, foie gras and Osetra caviar.

Aurora is located at 4216 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, Texas.”

My signature Amuse Bouche

Aurora etched glass ✨ What a true jewel she was. Every detail told a story of elegance, artistry, and unforgettable nights. Who remembers this stunning piece of art and the magic it brought to every experience?💫🥂

Always enjoyed the company of this true gentleman, Jim White. I think of him fondly often. May his memory be a blessing. Sharing an excerp from one of his reviews of my Aurora.

“Avner Samuel is a master at the top of his game. His dream has come true after years of polish, precision and perfection orientation.

After giving diners more than 20 years of fine cuisine, the man considered to be the most talented chef ever to stand behind a stove in Dallas finally has his little, chef driven restaurant: Aurora.
Aurora is to Dallas dining what a Michelin starred restaurant is to Paris. Le crème de la crème.

Every detail is carefully orchestrated. From the interior design with taupe ultra suede walls, exotic woods-including zebra and French burl- custom chandeliers softly lighting the lush dining room, and the elegant Limoges china, Cristofle silver, French damask linens, and the world's finest crystal; to the pampering service, complimentary designer water, and of course, Avner Samuel's sophisticated menu; Aurora is a sublime atmosphere of delightful dining. You can view the culinary theatrics unfold in a completely stainless steel kitchen behind a floor to ceiling wall of artist-etched glass.

The restaurant is chic and small-seating only 50. Like a 3 Star restaurant. Aurora prefers the dining experience to be a leisurely journey. In Europe the lofty heights of 3 star dining can only be attained if the evening is given over to one seating. While no such restriction exists here, Aurora and Chef Samuel would prefer you take your time and enjoy each wonderful stop along the way.

Amuse bouche have featured egg custard in an eggshell, elegant enough for Faberge, and whimsical green eggs and ham inspired by the Cat in the Hat.”