Aurora (Lexington Street)

My sister and I visited this restaurant for her birthday; now relax - it was in no way disastrous, but I can't join in with the high praise lavished on this website. I'd give it seven out of 10, my sister just six.

We had a famous British TV comic sat by the window, after he left I was disgruntled to find the volume of the restaurant rose by a good 20-30% and everyone relaxed a bit! That's the English for you, very polite but put someone famous near them and it becomes uptight!

Anyway, that's not part of my critique! What's wrong with Aurora? Nothing, aesthetically. Dark red paint splashed on brickwork, ornate chessboards in the corner, candlewax-splattered old bottles. This small venue is like something out of Alice in Wonderland. The garden is magical, though calling it a courtyard is stretching it a bit. It's not much larger than a dinky box room, with high walls covered in creepers and green foliage. Perfect for a summer's day. The table for four looking out on it is superb too, although I do think that if there were diners in the garden you might not get much privacy, as it's a thoroughfare - you'd get waiters rushing past to get to them. And diners passing to get to the loo.

The starter was a while coming, so we fell back on the bread and olives and the wine. Unfortunately the wine wasn't chilled properly; I mean if a Joe Average like me can enjoy a lovely chilled glass at home simply by nipping across to Oddbins, or bunging a bottle in the freezer, you'd think a London restaurant could attain such heights of 'luxury'. Don't keep refilling my glass, let it cool for a bit more! The only glass that was chilled was the last one, because the bottle had spent a while in the ice bucket!

I could have done with it chilled as it was a tad hot inside and the waiter had to open the front door to let some air in. Yet this really wasn't heatwave weather - we'd have been in the garden if it were, this was 6 June's Derby Day, or the day when England played Borat country, overcast and a bit nippy.

The food? Well, it was alright. I had swordfish steak, my sister the haddock. Good size portions but neither were particularly tasty. I'd say. Sort of Cafe Boheme level. The same with the starter of coconut soup, which sounded a lot better on the menu description, rather than the red sludge we got, perfectly edible mind, but nothing spesh.

They'd agreed to plonk a candle on my sister's dessert when I phoned ahead, it being her birthday, out comes her lemon tart, sans candle. Well okay, boo hoo, but fair to say I wasn't really feeling the love at this point. You'd think from the other reviews on this page they'd be giving a 21-gun salute.

The bill summarily presented to us, no asking if we wanted coffees. Okay, we'd agreed to hand the table back at a certain time, but thinking back to the long time we had waiting for our starter while we necked the (only slightly cold) wine, they could have paced it better.

Incidentally, the window seat isn't great, as Aurora isn't quite opposite Andrew Edmunds; our much-loved TV comic and his date would have been gazing out at a bleak, boarded-up shop.

Not a bad evening, we just found it not the peak of perfection others have reported.
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Clive Morris
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Excellent restaurant, a real find. I thought the food was great, the staff we're friendly knowledgeable and helpful and the bill underlined the fact we got value for money. In fact, I'm going to find a restaurant site and post that as a recommendation.

Well worth a visit.
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Neil
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 10, 2009

Went there 28 Feb 2009, never been there or even walked passed it, but I read reviews and had to organise a restaurant at short notice so took a punt.

What a find. Great central location (but away from the sprawling masses of drunk Soho!) . Warm friendly atmosphere.

Food was fabulous - starters tasty and the right size - all our 4 mains were great - fish, lamb and two steaks. Mate (who always complains about her steak) loved it - we all commented the first time she wasn't complaining!

Yes they do two sittings, but we knew we had to be out by 9 (we arrived at 7) and that was not a problem. great staff, good wines/beers, fun times... we will be back and bring others.

I'd suggest you take a punt and visit.
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Mel C
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 01, 2009

We came here last week for the late sitting: I had the mint/chilli feta with roasted butternut squash to start, following by poached haddock on cheddar mash. My companion had the tomato and basil soup, followed by the steak. All food absolutely delicious. Meal accompanied by the house red (a nice Chilean cabernet sauvignon), and followed by some exquisite dessert wine. This is the fifth time we've been here, and we keep coming back because the atmosphere, food and service is always impeccable.
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Jules
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 12, 2009

Love this place. Been back about 5 times. Great for either an intimate meal for 2 or a catch up with friends. Staff are fabulous, food just as great and the garden out the back in the summertime is a real gem for the location.
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Vicky
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 09, 2008

Had dinner last night and was really great: location is good and the restaurant itself is warm and cosy. Staff are very attentive too, something rare in these very popular restaurants.

We had king prawns with chilli and garlic and seared tuna on ginger and wasabi noodles, both of which were absolutely delicious. Followed by sirloin steak with red pepper cream and portabello mushroom stuffed with pine nuts, ricotta and spinach (could have just eaten a ton of these!), My fellow diner had monkfish (extremely healthy portion of two fillets) cooked in a broth with chorizo and mussels. We had been served bread and olives when we arrived and washed it all down with a lovely Montepulciano, so didnt have room for dessert......!

Definitely reccommend it for a quiet dinner for two or dinner with a fellow foodie who likes to eat!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, September 25, 2008

We came here on Friday night for my birthday: it was our third time at Aurora, and it just keeps astounding me with how brilliant it is!

The wine list is lovely, the food seasonal and utterly delicious, and service impeccable.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 15, 2008

We went here last night with two friends. When I booked they were clear about the two sitting policy which they explained fully, and they advised me to get there as early as possible to have the table for the longest time. You can't say fairer than that - and I only comment on it because others have. As it happened the table wasn't booked after us so we were able to stay as long as we wanted to enjoy our wine at leisure.

The food was delicious, the staff charming and attentive, the atmosphere was great and the wine fab. We are already planning another trip. Book this place - you won't regret it, it's a gem!
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Gail
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, August 31, 2008

Definitely the best place I have ever eaten, in london or anywhere else in the UK. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys great service, a warm welcome and some of the most interesting and tasty dishes I have ever had.
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Dean Clark
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

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