Aurora (Lexington Street)

We came across this restaurant in a restaurant guide book for London and it got a good rating, and thankfully they had a table for a Saturday night at short notice. We were not disappointed. We chose to sit outside in the courtyard which was lovely and intimate, a lot less 'buzzing' than inside the restaurant and very romantic. The food was excellent, with a sensible sized menu at reasonable prices. Both myself and my husband loved every course, and the wine recommended was also excellent. The staff were friendly, efficient and un-intrusive. Overall we loved this place and would recommend it.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, September 09, 2009

After reading the last review of Aurora and having eaten at the restaurant a number of times i feel i must defend its reputation as i had the misfortune of being sat next to these people on said evening. I have always had an enjoyable time and find the menu to be interesting and very reasonable. The service has always been friendly, informative yet unintrusive and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Why anyone would specifically order to have marsh samphire (sea asparagus and so very salty) with steak when it is usually served with the delicious tuna steak and nicoise is beyond me. These people complained from the moment they arrived to the time they left but not once to the waiting staff when asked if everything was ok (a little unfair). Maybe the mood was more to do with the success of the 'hot date' than the actual restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 23, 2009

My esteemed colleague recommended this as one of the best romantic restaurants in London. So I decided to take my girlfriend there for her birthday.

Tucked away down a quiet street, by Soho standards, it's situated by a group of other nice-looking restaurants. From the outside, it's looks small, but cosy and inviting.

When we first arrived, we were seated by the main entrance, but we noticed a courtyard area outside, surrounded by plants and flowers. We asked if we could sit there, and the staff, who were very friendly and helpful all night, managed to get us a table. We were delighted with our exotic surroundings, not something you would expect to find in the heart of London. We were lucky, next time, we will request a table in this area when booking.

The 'July' menu consisted of a mixture of classical, as well as more contemporary dishes, plus a decent selection of wines. For starter, we went with harissa lamb on couscous with dates. And poached salmon and crayfish with avocado and fennel on crest. I was expecting my lamb to be slightly more spicy, but the flavours mixed well. We washed this down with a white South African wine from Stellenbosch, which was fruity and crisp, and went well with the fruitiness of the dates and freshness of the fish.

For main, we had Scottish Steak with sauté potatoes, roast veg and rocket. When it first arrived, I was disappointed with the size, but it tasted delicious, and left room for dessert, which was warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream. The oaky Spanish red complimented the dishes nicely.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, the atmosphere was lively, the staff were friendly, and the food delicious. What more can you ask for? Thanks to my colleague for the recommendation!
Comment on this reader review

Ed
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 23, 2009

I have longed a romantic meal in this beautiful restaurant for years - yesterday, (July 2009) finally managed to get a table booked, plus hot date, nice dress and all... but ...

Wine - totally average - we could have got a better bottle at the Turkish corner shop!

Olive Oil & Balsamic in a deep bowl meant you couldn't even reach the balsamic!

Starter - was OK - was a plate of cured meat - you can't go wrong there!

Main Course - Steak with Sauteed Potatoes, Samphire & Roasted Veg - The worst I have ever eaten! Even though we asked for Rare - I still have jaw ache from the chewing that had to be done - we both looked like cows munching on grass. The meat was also completely tasteless. The samphire was extremely salty. The roasted veg had no seasoning and the potatoes were like pieces of wood. I ate it out of pure hunger and nothing else!

We couldn't even talk to each other - we were so utterly disappointed. It ruined our evening! And it set us back £70! What a complete waste of money - think I would have been happier if my money fell down the drain!

Never ever again! We couldn't wait to get out of there.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Saturday, July 18, 2009

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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.
Comment on this reader review

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!
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, September 25, 2008