A NEW restaurant got a warm reception from Green councillors who enjoyed 'authentic' food as some of the first guests as the owners hope the business will breathe new life into the city.

The Aurora Experience in Foregate Street in Worcester at the former Postal Order opened on Friday (December 8) after work began on transforming the interior in January.

The restaurant will offer a combination of Indian Fusion, continental European and US dishes with a chef brought in from central London to lead the kitchen. 

Worcester News: FRESH: Aidan Kelly and Leah Robinson behind the bar at the Aurora Experience in Foregate Street FRESH: Aidan Kelly and Leah Robinson behind the bar at the Aurora Experience in Foregate Street (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Karen Lewing, the Green councillor for Arboretum and chair of the Environment Committee and Planning Committee, praised the food, including the vegetarian and vegan options, and described the interior as luxurious.

She also described the restaurant as great for the city and for the Arboretum in particular, arguing that it was "really important to have active shop fronts in the city".

Worcester News: TRANSFORMED: Aurora in Foregate Street in Worcester is very different in style to the Postal Order, the former JD Wetherspoon which used to occupy the premises TRANSFORMED: Aurora in Foregate Street in Worcester is very different in style to the Postal Order, the former JD Wetherspoon which used to occupy the premises (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Cllr Elena Round, a Green city councillor for St Peter's, said the service had been 'exemplary' and the business was 'what Worcester needs'. 

Karamjit Singh, the owner, said he began coming to Worcester seven or eight years ago and he and his wife thought: "Why don't we open a business here? We fell in love with Worcester.

"We used to go to the other side of Worcester, to All Bar One, but found this side was totally dead. I wanted to bring something to this side as well. I love Worcester people. They have been nice, really kind."

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The interior has been inspired by the Swans on the River Severn and also the Northern Lights which is the inspiration behind the name of the restaurant. 

The executive head chef is Lalit Bisht.

"I brought him in specially for this place from central London," said Mr Singh who explained Mr Bisht had worked at the London Hilton for 13 years.

The chef said: "I want to use the real spices - it is the combination of those spices you would find in India. It is authentic Indian cuisine with a modern twist. We have a beautiful grill here with fillet steak and Arabic-style food. I wanted the menu to be short, sweet and excellent."

The restaurant has a luxurious modern interior designed by owner Karamjit Singh and built by him with help from a team of workers and close support from John Rozier.

In a rare touch, giant synthetic flowers appear to bloom near the entrance while the private room takes the appearance of a waterfall due to lighting features. 

Dishes include traditional north Indian Seekh kebabs, sizzler platters, Calcutta chilli chicken, grilled club sandwiches, the Aurora beef burger, plant-based (vegan) burgers and Bombay Caesar salad.

There are also a variety of sweet dishes including phirni, an Anjeer brownie, Jalebi cheesecake and Gulab Jamun and ice cream.