Aurora (Lexington Street)

I've been to Aurora twice now, and had an absolutely lovely evening both times.

We first spotted it on a random wander down Lexington street, and thought that it looked like a nice little place.

Therefore, the next time that we were in the vicinity in the evening, we chanced our luck, wandered in, and managed to get a table in the courtyard. The food was superb: lamb with roast vegetables, couscous, hummus and pesto, roast pork with mash, good house wine.

We then waited another few months before returning in the autumn; we booked a table, arrived early, were seated right away, and had another brilliant meal. The portions are large, the wine/liqueurs section perfect, and the food fresh. It had a lovely cosy atmosphere (despite being very crowded), the staff were friendly and polite, and the prices fantastic for what we had.

We're coming back again in another few weeks; Aurora is most certainly our favorite restaurant in London.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 21, 2008

Nice atmosphere and great to have the choice of the garden. Reasonably priced food and wine. Agree with the post that says staff became casual at the end of the evening. We were in the first sitting which meant we had to vacate the table at 9pm. The restaurant wasn't at all busy and at 8.45pm, just as we were discussing an after dinner drink, the bill arrived at our table without any of us having asked for it! Subtle. I would still recommend the restaurant for it's cosy atmosphere and convenient location.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Saturday, April 05, 2008

Aurora is one of my favourite restaurants in London -- intimate relaxed atmosphere with great food! Their current menu has a great selection: from a butternut squash with coconut milk and chilli, grilled sardines, a roast chicken, sweet potato & spinach salad among other starters, and for mains, there is a great selection of fish (pan fried sea bream or traditional Portuguese fish and seafood stew), meat (grilled sirloin with potato wedges or marinated tenderloin of pork) and a veggie option (stuffed roast peppers).

Aurora's portions are very generous, and given what a good meal costs these days, it's a real treat.

Highly recommended!
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Khaled
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Our first visit to this small intimate restaurant exceeded our expectations. The welcome was warm and the service was friendly and attentive but not intrusive. The food was tasty and well presented - delicate fish,beautifully cooked lamb and the pear tartin with cinnamon ice cream was to die for ! We shall return.
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Christine & Bob - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 22, 2008

I returned to Aurora for the first time in a couple of years recently and I will not be leaving it so long before my next visit. The staff were friendly and informed. The food, imaginative not fussy and well prepared with plenty of seasonal ingredients. The relaxed, informal atmosphere makes it ideal for an intimate dinner or a feast with friends. Excellent value as well. Bravo!
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Jamie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 07, 2008

I would just like to respond to the last review by Richard as I was the waiter refered to in the above review.

I would like to just point out that when Richard booked his table as with all our customers his party were told that when booking on certain days we do two sittings the times offered are 7 till 9 or 9.15 onwards.The reason for this is we are very busy and want our customers to have enough time to enjoy their meal.

In the case of Richards table I waited until 9.15 (the 9.15 booking were standing in the retaurant) before asking politely for the table back. (for the third time) I was met with "we will go when we finish our wine"

As much as I would have liked them to sit there all night it's simpley not fair on the other dinners waiting to enjoy there meal.

When I said "I'm sorry I have already explained the booking times and let you stay beyond the time we agreed on the phone (we need at least 10-15 minutes to relay the table) Richard said he want the service back (which is on the bottom of every menu stating that a optional 12.5% service will be added to the bill)

We welcome honest opinions and critisisms regarding service, however I feel in this case a very one sided view of the evenings events has been stated.

Thanks Billy (General Manager) Aurora
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Billy Docherty
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 04, 2008

I visited Aurora for a third or fourth time on Friday evening, and unfortunately felt compelled to share my experience. I do not normally find time to do so.

Having had to book an early sitting at 7pm, and having arrived perhaps five minutes late with our friends, the four of us continued to enjoy the food. Service was predictably unrushed, but given this was our third or fourth visit, it was not unexpected.

Having finished our main course though we were surprised to be offered coffees, rather than deserts, and especially surprised to be refused the desert menu. This being the first time throughout the evening they had indicated they needed the table by a certain time. Well, so be it, we at least expected to be able to finish our drinks before leaving.

Sadly, the waiter on duty that evening had other thoughts. After another five minutes or so, he began demanding that we left, despite still having drinks from our main course to finish. I had been irritated earlier when the buill arrived without being requested, and even more irritated that the 12.5% "service" charge had been added automatically. They seemed surprised when I demanded it back before we left.

To be honest I really wouldn't have minded if they had been up front about this from the outset, but to forcibly turf us out within 10 minutes of finishing our main courses was unreasonable, and the language and manner used by the waiter was completely unacceptable. This man should not be in a customer-facing job of any description.

Sadly we thought we had found something of a gem, as the food is normally great value, but the service has always been average at best. Offensive is the only way to describe my latest experience.
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, December 03, 2007

If you can get a table in the small garden at the back and the weather is good, it's the perfect cosy romantic Soho meal - perfect lighting, great food and ideal location.
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Charlie Sefi - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Now the smoking ban is in place i will go here all the time due to its small and very cute.(and smoewimes got smokey)

Me and terry went there last night and was super
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Jenny Milnow
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Nice and simple review

Good food Good wine and good service

Impressed

Job done
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Liam Conrory
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 09, 2007