01/07/08 Aura’s 3rd birthday

Miss W was quite taken aback when she received the invite to Aura’s third birthday bash - to be honest, I feel like I’ve been going here practically forever - from good old English style Sunday roasts in the winter to its latest inception as a cosmopolitan tapas and cocktail lounge - who’d have thought this all could have happened in such a short space of time?

Just goes to show that time flies when you’re having fun - especially in Ibiza.

To make up for the fact that she couldn’t really buy a fabulous birthday gift for Aura in honour of the event - I mean really, what do you give the venue that already has everything? - Miss W simply compensated by buying herself a little present for the occasion, in the shape of a fabulous new white cheesecloth maxi-dress straight off the rack in Antik Batik - very Ibiza if I do say so myself!

Resident DJ Nima Gorji - who is one of my all-time favourite local DJs by the way - manoeuvred the wheels of steel to ensure the perfect blend of smooth house grooves and underground sounds, getting not only toes tapping but bodies moving and booties shaking and creating a real party atmosphere from the minute you walked through the door. Special guest Pacha Recordings DJ Mass hopped behind the decks to lend a helping hand and provide his own soundtrack to the event - a move that had me swishing my layers of cheesecloth as if I were a flamenco dancer. Well, a wannabe flamenco dancer if nothing else!

Many guests made the most of the balmy night and lingered outside on the gorgeously lit terrace, while others practically mobbed the bar to get a taste of the fresh new cocktails exclusive to Aura - yes, they are that good! You know I don’t like to play favourites with my beloved bars… but I am almost ready to admit that Aura could well boast the very best cocktails on the island!

Many happy returns indeed Aura from Miss W, the White-ettes and the Token White Male - and may there be many more like it to come!

THE GOOD: The tasty gourmet tapas menu. Miss W must admit she was sad to say goodbye to Aura’s previous menu, but upon sampling the delectable char-grilled duck with peach brochettes - my new all-time favourite food on the island - I can safely say that the all-new Aura is even better than before. Three cheers to executive chef Javier Massetani!
THE BAD: The difficulty in getting home from the north of the island when you don’t have a designated driver. Why do taxis find it so difficult to respond to calls on the island, particularly given the fact they must know there are hundreds of revellers stranded at a venue at the end of an evening?
THE GOSSIP: A certain long-time Aura staffer and a very well-known restaurant manager seemed to be making eyes at each other across the bar all night long, which didn’t go unnoticed by most of the local crew. It’s been all over the rumour mill for the past few years - completely unfounded Miss W might add - however now it seems the timing might be right for these two… Ohhhh, Miss W hopes so indeed!