Winter evenings in Sandton might bring a chill to the air, but on Tuesday nights at AURUM Restaurant, things are heating up in the most delicious way – DATE NIGHT.

• DATE NIGHT at AURUM is the perfect excuse to ditch the couch and embrace the golden glow of fine dining.
• At R350 per person for the meal or R550 with a paired wine selection, it’s solid value for money.
• Under the guidance of Chef Michelle Biondi, the winter DATE NIGHT menu lends itself to a charming evening for two.
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Perched high on the 7th floor of The Leonardo – Africa’s tallest building – AURUM invites couples, both seasoned and blossoming, to indulge in DATE NIGHT, a curated 2-course dining experience that is equal parts romantic and remarkable.

AURUM – derived from the Latin for “gold” – is not just a name, but a philosophy. The restaurant’s interiors dazzle with double-volume ceilings adorned in gold, offering guests a luxurious ambiance that feels opulent yet inviting.

AURUM doesn’t just serve food; it tells stories from seed to plate. Each dish is designed around the seasons, driven by Executive Chef Michelle Biondi’s commitment to sustainability, nostalgia, and bold culinary creativity. Having worked at culinary icons like DW eleven-13 and Restaurant Mosaic, Chef Michelle now brings her expertise and flair to AURUM’s ever-evolving menu – and the DATE NIGHT experience is no exception.

The DATE NIGHT menu offers a balanced and thoughtful selection, showcasing the kitchen’s love for seasonal ingredients and modern European technique. Starters tease the palate with options like the Calamari served with roasted capsicum, coconut, and sugar snap salsa – paired with an Iona Sauvignon Blanc – or a Mushroom Textures dish (vegetarian) featuring a twice-baked soufflé and hints of truffle, elegantly matched with a L’Avenir Chenin Blanc.

For those looking for something daringly South African, the Seared Kudu Loin with yuzu and red wine reduction makes a bold first impression, enhanced by a glass of MR P Pinot Noir.

Main courses continue the indulgence with choices like the Zhoug Chicken Penne with a baba ganoush pesto, or a hearty 300g Rump Steak accompanied by herb couscous and a luxurious Madagascan sauce. For the more adventurous or plant-based inclined, the Artichoke Fricassee – a ‘I need to come back again for this one’ – offers a refreshing, elegant twist on vegetarian dining, proving that comfort food doesn’t need to be heavy or meaty to be hearty.

But it’s the dessert menu that truly seals the deal. The AURUM “Magnum” – a luxurious blend of pistachio, dark and white chocolate – is a showstopper, especially when paired with a glass of Iona Late Harvest. Other equally tempting options include the rich Chocolate Torte, Crème Brûlée infused with white chocolate and stone fruit, and the ever-comforting Sticky Toffee Pudding dressed in an apple cider toffee sauce.

Executive Chef Michelle Biondi’s approach to food is guided by emotion and the season. During winter, her menus lean into warmth, heartiness, and that comforting familiarity that great meals often carry. She describes her culinary process as one that evokes nostalgia – a bite of lamb cutlet with pistachio and pomegranate might remind you of family feasts.

This thoughtful layering of flavour, memory, and creativity is what defines the AURUM experience. And while the décor is luxurious and the plating precise, there’s a genuine warmth that grounds the restaurant – a reflection of Chef Michelle’s belief that fine dining should feed both the stomach and the soul.

In a city known for its vibrant dining scene, AURUM’s DATE NIGHT stands out as a rare blend of value, ambiance, and culinary excellence. It’s a start to the week invitation to pause, put the phone down, and share a moment over a beautiful meal.

So, whether your love language is food, or you’re simply looking for an elegant escape from the winter blues, AURUM offers more than a night out – it offers an experience. Because sometimes, all you need is the right setting, the right company, and the right plate of food to light a fire.

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