Of love, legacy, and good food
Many passion projects are borne out of love, and for Atty. Nilo Divina—founder and managing partner of renowned law firm DivinaLaw—his love for his mother became his guiding star. Shifting from the pages of his storied legal career, he started a completely new chapter in the restaurant world, hoping to keep her spirit alive through food.
And so, his first venture, named simply and lovingly “Aurora,” stood as a tribute to her.
Set in the corporate facade of Makati’s Pacific Star building, Aurora was meant to be his magnum opus—rooted in memory, legacy, and a deeply personal story. It was also supposed to be the only branch in existence. The singular embodiment of his vision. But fate had other plans, as the swelling reception of his fine dining restaurant prompted a hunger that asked for more.
Davina then expanded the narrative, opting to open another restaurant that spoke to a different audience. While Aurora in Makati catered to business partners, dates, and intimate groups, his newest venture, Bistro Aurora, spoke to a more familial audience—a collective that’s made for shared platters and long tables.
A brand new chapter
The same warmth and joy he felt growing up is now translated into the brand new chapter that is Bistro Aurora, which has made itself at home at The Podium Mall in Ortigas Center. And at their core, the two concepts share one soul, but tell their story in different ways.
For one thing, the ambiance of Bistro Aurora is a stark contrast to its refined counterpart in Makati. Dark woods and moody, warm lighting are traded for lighter tones, beige neutrals, and daylight that streams from the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the sides. Yet both share a love for wine, proudly displayed in shelves that showcase their extensive selection.
As for the marble tables, dark chairs, and textured accents that line their walls? The impeccable service and attention to detail in every dish, in every order? Ever-present in both.
But the food, the heart of it all, is a combination of both beloved favorites of Aurora, alongside new interpretations that bring fine dining to a more relaxed setting. Think Pan-Asian favorites reimagined in the creative hands of chef Mark Sanchez, in portions made for sharing.
From a passion project to a formidable player in the F&B market. According to Ginger Ann Fabella, the president of Aurora, Bistro Aurora marks their next move—that is, to reach a wider demographic: families, professionals, and even a younger audience—through dishes that “evoke the warmth of a home.”
From first pour to final bite
While still keeping the spirit of elevated fare, Bistro Aurora’s dishes are hardly purist at all—rather, they draw from different influences and ingredients to create reimagined interpretations of beloved classics.
To start, a welcome drink sets the tone for a relaxed brunch. The mimosa is bubbly as it is bright—orange juice and champagne that is refreshing as it is a prelude for what’s to come.
Then comes a series of appetizers: a burrata salad featuring chewy but soft Italian cheese nestled in a bed of greens and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with a generous amount of their fruity, berry dressing; meaty wagyu beef dumplings swimming in a Thai curry sauce, finished with Szechuan oil; and a personal favorite—tuna ceviche topped with kimchi aioli and quinoa furikake, which makes for a bright and zesty as a cinematic pour of lemon juice ties everything together. It comes with crunchy rice crisps, though even on its own, it’s just as delicious.
Bistro Aurora’s culinary prowess manifests in its mains, with fresh mussels served in a creamy laksa sauce, complete with yet another interactive pour from the servers. Creamy, rich, and flavorful with a mild kick of spice, the sauce elevates the chewiness and enhances the natural flavors of the seafood. Next comes the mapo tofu—a reinterpretation that trades small bites of silken tofu for larger fried pieces, bathed in a sweet and spicy sauce, topped with fried enoki. The lamb ragu pasta, which chef Sanchez recently developed, is meaty and rich, the tomato-based sauce wrapping around soft spaghetti noodles for a flavorful bite.
And of course, the beloved salmon donburi—an Aurora favorite. Mirroring a chirashi bowl with its bright and colorful elements, it features a layer of house
-cured smoked salmon chunks, ikura, and mentaiko that go on top of multi-grain rice and corn. Looking for a showstopper? The Australian Tomahawk steak, seared perfectly on a large platter, is a must-have.
But what is a meal without a dessert? Bistro Aurora’s symphony of dishes comes to a close with a dessert that may seem small, but is big on flavor. Made up of a medley of Earl Grey, chocolate, and orange, this crumbly cake sits in a sauce reminiscent of melted ice cream—a refined finale that lingers on both palate and memory.
A taste of what’s to come
“This passion of mine cannot be quenched,” Atty. Divina declares. “That’s why we have a second branch—and hopefully a third, and four more branches—so that our customers, our friends, would feel the same way I felt when my mom prepared my first and subsequent dishes–that this was made out of love.”
While both Aurora and Bistro Aurora are a tribute to his mother, a story told in flavorful plates and generous portions, the lawyer is far from done. Down the line, he honors his father (who is still very much alive and well) through the all-Filipino mid-market restaurant Norlando, located in Makati.
This came when his father asked when it was his turn to have something dedicated to him, the lawyer says with a laugh.
Far from done, Fabella reveals that there are many “expansion plans for Aurora and other dining concepts envisioned by Atty. Divina,” because yes, the story hasn’t ended just yet. And we are eager to see—and taste—what’s next.
Bistro Aurora is located on the 6th floor, Podium Social, The Podium Mall, Ortigas Center. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
