Aurora
Aurora comes with recommendations from dirty hipster and wine lover. New York magazine says that Aurora's menu includes "big bowls of chef Riccardo Buitoni’s maltagliati Bolognese; gnocchi with fontina, walnuts, and arugula; and Tuscan-style fish stew." Time Out New York vouches for the pasta: "Homemade tagliatelle comes with clams, mussels and prawns; the strands of pasta are so light and thin, they nearly melt on your tongue."
Blogger 'Point Taken stopped by for brunch and complained about the small portions — but still recommends the "duck confit & bacon hash with organic poached egg & baby spinach. Great combination of flavors and one of the more fun brunch items I've seen in awhile." And the Village Voice says, "The staff is friendly and casual, but never overbearing, and in summer, the garden is bigger and better than the rest." Aurora has a second location in Soho. What are your thoughts on this place?
Reviews (18)
Paul C wrote a review on April 30, 2009 12:17 PM
This place is great. Been there many times for brunch, and a few times for dinner. Nice decor inside, plus a cool outdoor garden area. I also like the location - you can take an after-meal stroll down to a small riverside park, 2 blocks away.
dirty_hipster wrote a review on April 30, 2009 12:20 PM
LOVE this place - out door seating is amazing. Pretty good service. Pasta is fantastic, great porkbelly app. scallops were really good too. wasn't too crazy about the pork entree i had their once (little dried out, but I'm fussy)
Hit up DOC wine bar afterwards for a really romantic, italian themed evening.
Only thing I'm not crazy about is that they are cash only - which is annoying as this place isn't inexpensive.
mopar wrote a review on April 30, 2009 12:35 PM
One of the top restaurants in Williamsburg. More Park Slope than hipster in style. Food is very similar to what you would find in Italy. You could take your parents, or have a romantic dinner, or a long, alcohol-fueled brunch with friends on a nice day in the garden, followed by leisurely, quiet, sunlit shopping down the block at Moon River Chattel, the garden store, and the APC outlet, which never has anything to buy but is in a nice building. The river is a block or two away.
Agree with DH about the all-cash. I mean, c'mon. How are you supposed to buy any of the bottles on their wine list? It's totally ridiculous. I would think their average check would increase by a third if they took credit cards.
The portions are not small. If you are a fat pig looking for a red sauce joint, this is not the restaurant for you.
East New York wrote a review on April 30, 2009 12:38 PM
They don't put up much of a front.
Paul C wrote a review on April 30, 2009 12:49 PM
I don't like the cash-only policy either, but they do have an ATM on premises, so as long as you have funds in your account, it's not that big of a deal to hit up the cash machine.
dirty_hipster wrote a review on April 30, 2009 1:02 PM
really sad duff's on N3 and kent moved over to Marcy.
I used to love to go Aurora - feel all classy and then go and, well if you know duff's, act not so classy.
janelle wrote a review on April 30, 2009 1:19 PM
long-time neighborhood favorite. excellent excellent excellent. just don't go when you're in a rush - this is a place to take your time and linger a bit, and it's reflected in the service (in a good way).
Heather wrote a review on April 30, 2009 1:50 PM
Food's good, I never thought it was as good as some of the other new italian places in the nabe, but it's good. They have a tolerant policy towards children and serve lunch during the week, garden's also lovely. Not my favorite place, but not bad.
dirty_hipster wrote a review on April 30, 2009 1:57 PM
Just curious Heather - what Italian places do you like better? I've written some places off that maybe I need to revisit.
bianca wrote a review on April 30, 2009 2:44 PM
This is just liek back in the old country... probably my favorite Iatlain restaurant in the city, including some much more expensive ones. Really charming plave and backgarden too....
wine lover wrote a review on April 30, 2009 4:02 PM
wonderful obviously. beautiful restaurant and have great experiences with spouse on romantic date and with kid for brunch. the soho location is also very pretty. outdoor space in the summer can't be beat. sophisticated and cool.
chrishavens wrote a review on April 30, 2009 5:17 PM
superb ingredients, good service and fine food up to date, lovely room
wish they had an 'eat in' bar one of best in area i agree
WBer wrote a review on April 30, 2009 6:16 PM
I echo all the positive comments - great food, great staff, great atmosphere. Portions are on the small side (which I'm OK with), not a place to be rushed (again, I'm OK with a leisurely meal), and all cash ain't great (but they do have the atm).
I'm also curious which Italian places Heather likes better. I would definitely put Aurora way above Baci & Abbracci and Fiore (?), but its sort of apples & oranges.
And how do answer the "Value" question - Aurora is expensive by Williamsburg standards, but not overpriced for what it is.
Heather wrote a review on April 30, 2009 8:59 PM
Baci and Abacci and that one across the Hesse station up on Bushwick ave and Metropolitan. Just my opinion though! I am no expert, I've actually been to Aurora more than the other two. I also have a deep love for the old Italian place on -- Manhattan ave, is it? (Checked, no, Graham.) Cono & Sons. Again, different kind of dining experience, but really nice.
mopar wrote a review on April 30, 2009 10:33 PM
Re Bacci & Abracci vs. Aurora, depends on what you order. Aurora is better overall, for everything. Bacci & Abracci is less expensive, more casual, also has a very nice garden, and has killer salads, pasta, and pizza. But don't order an entree there.
mopar wrote a review on April 30, 2009 10:34 PM
They are both delightful. Aurora is the fancier of the two, for what that's worth.
WBer wrote a review on April 30, 2009 10:47 PM
Thanks, Heather. Don't know the Metropolitan place.
Mopar - like I said, apples and oranges really. If I'm thinking of going to Aurora, I'm probably also not thinking of going to B&A, and vice versa.
Likewise anything old school by the BQE - Cono (Graham & Ainslie), Bamonte, Frost. All great in their way, but all so completely different from what Aurora (or B&A, etc.) is and tries to be.
king of the burg wrote a review on May 1, 2009 12:59 PM
I really like this place. Ate there last night. Some of the best pasta I have ever had. The service was kind of slow, and didn't seem that knowledgeable on the wine, but sometimes you get the B team, sometimes you get the A team. Overall, Highly recommended.
Post a Review and Rating
Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.