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Aura Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
1 Seaport Ln(at Northern Ave)
Boston, MA 02210
Neighbourhoods: Waterfront, South Boston
(617) 385-4300
- Nearest Transit:
-
Congress @ World Trade Center Sta (SL1)
Seaport Blvd @ Seaport Hotel (171, 4, 448, 449, 459)
Seaport Blvd @ World Trade Center Opp. Seaport Htl (4)
- Hours:
Mon 6:30 am - 2 pm
Tue-Fri 6:30 am - 10:30 pm
Sat 6:30 am - 11:30 pm
Sun 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
- Parking:
- Garage, Street, Validated, Valet
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Aura Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"...than makes up with Chef Rachel Klein's inspired and well..." In 3 reviews -
"The best part of the meal was the hot cocoa and cookies..." In 3 reviews -
"The Seaport Hotel public area is so tastefully decorated." In 14 reviews
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42 reviews in English
-
Review from Mary F.
Cambridge, MA
4/8/2012
I picked Aura as a Restaurant Week choice because I wanted a view of the water (on a related note, restaurants listed as "waterfront" on the Restaurant Week website do not necessarily have waterfront views...). Aura is kind of oddly tucked into the basement of a giant hotel over on the waterfront. Once I readjusted my expectations, I liked the quiet, elegant surroundings.
The service was impeccable. Our waiter seemed really excited about his job, and as cheesy as that sounds it made for an enjoyable experience. I had the herbed waffles, the scallops as an entree, and the chocolate mousse. At the end of dinner I was almost crying into my mousse because it was SO SO SO delicious and I was so stuffed. I would've traded out the waffles (they were tasty, it was a neat idea to have savory waffles - but man do I love my dessert) for more room for the mousse.
I enjoyed Aura but I'm not sure I'd be back there again. Maybe next Restaurant Week? -
Review from Amanda D.
Lake Charles, LA
5/19/2012
Since I was staying at the Seaport Hotel, where Aura is located, I decided to try their dinner menu on my last night in Boston. I wish I had gone elsewhere.
I don't often dine solo, and my experience at Aura did not help - the last thing one wants to feel while dining solo is lonely. I was largely ignored by the wait staff at Aura. In fact, I watched as my waitress helped other tables (like the one right in front of me), and left me alone. And while it is not unreasonable to expect the wait staff to pander more to larger groups than solo diners, it didn't matter. Because of the setup at the hotel, all wait staff and bartenders are automatically tipped 20%. So it didn't matter that I received crappy service, because my waitress would be tipped regardless.
As for the food, I've seen more diverse menus. There are seafood specials on weekdays, but since I dined on a Saturday, there were no specials. I ordered the Ribs and Grits for my appetizer - an intereresting spin on the traditional shrimp and grits. Even more interesting - the ribs were lamb meat, with traditional Mediterranean flavor. For my entree, I had the sirloin with mashed potatoes, a dish that I found uninspiring. Of course, all taste might have been tainted by the unsatisfactory service. -
Review from Angry N.
Winchester, MA
3/23/2012
I made a restaurant-week reservation here for 3 -- a friend, my partner and myself. It was a Thursday night, and two of us were seated promptly in the fairly empty room while the third was finding a place to park.
Our waiter was prompt and attentive, but in a way that made us both feel very rushed ("Would you like a drink from the bar? How about now? Now?"). Part of it was a language-barrier, but I also got the sense that this was the first nice restaurant she'd worked in. Her demeanor all night was closer to someone working in a busy greasy-spoon than in a half-empty "upscale" place.
Food-wise, our results were mixed. I had the herbed waffles (w/ foie gras butter) and the pan-roasted scallops w/ roasted parsnips/carrots, champagne vanilla beurre blanc, and micro bulls blood. Both were very, VERY good. My friend also liked her choices (beet salad and the pork loin w/ kumquat compote).
Unfortunately, my partner had to send his braised pork shank back because it was cold in the center. It had clearly been pre-cooked and just reheated, but not all the way through. Even after it came back the second time, it was still really tough. They tried to make it up to him by bringing him some clam chowder, but he doesn't like clams (wish they would have checked with him first). The waiter was awfully pushy about him taking it, too, which was awkward.
We lingered over coffee and dessert (chocolate mousse for me, cheesecake for my friend) and they didn't seem to mind at all (which makes sense, since the place never got more than half-full). The check comes w/ a 20% gratuity automatically added, which was a surprise to us. They didn't bat an eye when we asked to put it on two cards, which was nice.
All in all, it was decent, but I doubt we'll be back. And that's the whole point of Restaurant Week, right? -
Review from Dave V.
Marlborough, MA
4/2/2012
Have to give this place very high marks. We were concerned about some of the less than stellar reviews but our experience was amazing. Restaurant was quiet which was a surprise for a sat night but it must cater to the weekly hotel crowd. Service was terrific as a result. Food was outstanding. Everything. Romaine salad was on the money. Wood grilled salmon was out of this world and the scallops were fantastic. Mushroom cavatelli with blue cheese was really tasty and the sides were wonderful - Brussel sprouts and truffle mashed. Even desserts were great. Worth a try for sure.
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Review from VKR N.
Boston, MA
8/11/2011
Horrible experience.
First, if Aura is marketing itself as high-end dining, then they should offer a consistent menu seven days a week. We went on a Sunday after calling ahead for reservations, only to find that although Aura was open, they were serving from the menu of the forgettable restaurant NEXT DOOR. The waitress told us that the only Aura-specific item available was the three-course chef's tasting, which she warned us had portions that would never fill you up. I don't know whether she was purposefully steering us to the more expensive a la carte menu of the restaurant next door, but we did not want to be hungry so we took her advice. Her actions later indicate that she was probably trying to boost up our final charge.
Second, the food was horrible. We had raw oysters which were thoroughly gritty. The clam chowder was disgusting and consisted of diced tomato, chives, and sparse little bits of clam floating in a greasy thin cream broth -- it was neither the classic thick New England clam chowder nor the broth-based Rhode Island clam chowder. The only small reprieve we got from throwing up was the very small lobster roll ($24 for about six inches) which was flavorful. Oh, and they didn't mess up the fries.
Third, we presented our Groupon which the waitress had the nerve to reject by claiming it was a Sunday and therefore the discount was not applicable. She obviously was illiterate because she continued to insist that we couldn't use it despite us showing her that there was no fine print excluding Sunday. The only reason she relented was because we told her to get her manager.
The final point: Aura automatically charged us a ***20%*** service fee on the final bill -- after the Groupon discount, which thus explained all of our waitress' actions in steering us away from what would have been a cheaper tasting menu and her losing it when we presented the coupon. Hey, we would have tipped on the nondiscounted subtotal, but Aura evidently disagrees with us by using its autocharge.
Thank goodness we had the Groupon because our total bill cracked $100, for horrendous, worthless food.
DO NOT GO TO AURA! The place deserves to go under. -
Review from Siobhan M.
Medford, MA
8/22/2011
My boyfriend and I chose this place to try for Restaurant week, because they seemed to have an interesting menu and several choices for each course. I read some unfavorable reviews before I went, especially regarding the service, so I felt inclined to post my experience.
Overall the food was very good, not exceptional, but definitely satisfying for Restaurant week. The waiter was very nice, materializing whenever we seemed to finish a course or need a water refill. He asked us several times throughout our meal, in fact I believe once for each course, how we liked it and whether we needed anything, but without feeling bothersome. The check was hefty and I think I was possibly more satisfied with my dishes than my boyfriend, so this is not a 5 star place. Luckily, it does not pretend to be: hosting casually dressed hotel going tourists with the same courtesy as fancifully attired senior citizens. I probably wouldn't make the trek to this place again due to the prices and the location off the Silver Line, but I'm glad I tried it. -
Review from Jamie H.
11/22/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I can only comment on the breakfast & desserts. I stayed at Seaport for a week and really enjoyed Aura's breakfast. I tried something new every day from muesli to oatmeal & everything in between. I would of loved to try the buffet however I don't eat that much in the morning. I also really liked their hot tea & fresh oj. As for desert, I tried the Pear Thyme crisp and was shocked it was cold. I was thinking it would be warm.
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Review from Jeffrey M.
Cambridge, MA
11/11/2010
Me: Hey man, let's grab dinner Saturday night.
Friend: Sure, what time.
Me: Seven sound good?
====================================
Me: Wow, this place looks fancy.
Friend: Def.
Me: Holy eff, look at the prices. It'd better be good grub.
====================================
Me: Umm, why is the skin on this duck so hard to cut through?
Friend: I can't really cut through to the chicken through all this skin!
Me: I don't think I've ever eaten such tough salmon before.
Me: That was some good ketchup! Oh ... it was cranberry sauce, you say?
Friend: Those beans weren't canned?!
====================================
Friend: Yo it's 9:30 already.
Me: I'm really thirsty dude.
Friend: That's because they haven't refilled our waters. Once.
====================================
Menu: It is not necessary to tip. An 18% service charge is added to the menu -- DEAR AURA, MAYBE YOU COULD BUY YOURSELF A THESAURUS FOR CHRISTMAS. THANKS.
Maybe it was the fall menu, using all those late-season pumpkins and beans and whatnot, but a lot of the sides were not tasty. My friend's cranberry bean + apricot was nasty and partially inedible. My sides (the maple-glazed bacon and Brussels sprouts) were really quite good, but the mashed potato puree was really just mashed potatoes.
The best part of the meal was the hot cocoa and cookies -- three types of cookies with rich coconut-infused hot cocoa. SO GOOD.
Service was horrible. The waiter had no idea what he was doing, and couldn't even give us a recommendation as to what to order. He was really nice, but not attentive whatsoever. We waited 12 minutes between closing down our entree menu and having our order taken, and the lagtime for the dessert menu was 8 minutes.
Aura is trying way too hard to make itself seem swanky. But peel away the fancy hotel restaurant setting and the expensive prices and and take it down to the food, and it's like this girl in my lab who cakes on makeup and needed surgery to make her face presentable. And we can see through it. -
Review from Ryan G.
Seattle, WA
1/3/2011
My wife and I dined at the Aura for their Christmas Brunch. As I was flying out that evening, we figured the Brunch would be a good substitute for our normal lackluster Christmas plans. Who knew we would be getting such a downgrade.
As we sat outside the restaurant waiting to be seated, we could hear the service staff getting "pumped up" and being told to make sure to offer mimosas. Now I understand, getting the staff ready to serve is a parallel to getting the team ready for a big game, but in a fine-dining experience, I don't want to be a spectator.
We were seated for our meal, and I saw the wilted flower that made up our centerpiece. Little did I know that it would be such a fitting analogy for our experience.
I asked for a water and milk. The milk was relatively warm. First, in a string of clues that there would be a vacuum of attention to detail. I then went for the breakfast selections. Mushy French Toast, check. Undercooked scrambled eggs, check. Very strange tasting sausage, check. And to top it off, not a lot of selections. Breakfast fail.
Off to the lunchier stuff. Here, much of the same. Bland prime rib, check. Dried out sole, check. I will say; however, mashed potatoes where great. Really great.
Also, the serving pan that contained the sole was in disrepair, so it slammed open when you touched it, alerting the entire dining room that you'd like some fish. You want to embarrass a fat man at a buffet, just set up that warning bell.
All in all, for a $25 or $30 a head brunch, I would have been satisfied, but not wowed. However, for what turned out to be, with no alcohol, but an 18% gratuity (for a buffet!!!!), a $160 brunch for two people, I felt like I should have filed a police report.
Aura restaurant, you should be ashamed of yourself. -
Review from Jackie S.
ALLSTON, MA
10/18/2011
The service was great and the food was delicious but I can see why this place is not doing so well. The room was like a banquet hall in the basement of a nice hotel. All carpeting. What's the point of being near the seaport if you don't have a single window in the joint? And then the restaurant next door was bumping music and had outdoor seating and was half the price. The food was good but I'd head to the restaurant next door next time. Luckily I had a 50$ for 25$ coupon and it's a 1,000 point reservation.
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Review from Danae B.
Brookline, MA
8/11/2007
Crappy Mc. Crap-Crap.
I'm so happy I wasn't the one who decided on this restaurant. If I had been, I might have had to kill myself out of sheer embarrassment. Place felt like I was in some cheap Best Western hotel restaurant, rather than on the Boston Waterfront.
Restaurant Week menu was booooooring. For 1st course, I had the seared scallops with "risotto" cakes, which may have been the only saving grace of the entire dinner. But my scallops were non-existent, tiny little nothings. The risotto cakes were so-so. But the course was served with some mediocre, cheap wine that was way too sweet for the scallops.
I won't even bore you with the rest of the meal. The scallops were the only thing worth mentioning. The quality of service was crap.
OH, and they added 20% gratuity onto the bill for a 4-top!!! WTF! I guess they knew we wouldn't be tipping that much. -
Review from Jesse J.
Huntersville, NC
11/28/2010
The Aura was an attractive and pleasant place to have a family Thanksgiving dinner when our schedules and locations did not make it practicable for us to cook. It did not disappoint. The experience could give us only a hint of what a regular dining experience would be, so I offer these comments for what they are worth. The Aura's Thanksgiving buffet met but did not exceed our expectations.
Neither the turkey nor the stuffing was as good as any of the cooks among us would have prepared, but these are items that are best home-made. The side dishes were all well-prepared and creatively seasoned. The sirloin and sole were very good. They also had a good assortment of breakfast items, all of which again were very good. The dessert table got the best reviews of all.
We left satisfied with our meal. Were I looking for a fine dining experience in downtown Boston, the Aura would not likely make the short list. If circumstances took us to Boston again to dine out for Thanksgiving, I probably would look for another option, if nothing else for comparison. All that being said, we all enjoyed our meal. -
Review from Emily P.
9/16/2009
First off all, I am soooo disappointed to see that others have had a less-than-wonderful experience here! I am staying at the Seaport Hotel for a conference and just happened to stop in for a bite to eat after not wanting to eat the cold sliders served at the reception.
My server, Chris, was delightful from the first moment he laid eyes on me. He suggested the steak and eggs and ....oh....my...holy....bejeezers....
lemme just say....it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. It's a filet mignon, with a poached, then deep fried (in truffle oil) egg on top....when you cut the egg, the perfectly runny yolk runs down over the steak. It was amazing. I actually started out with their ceasar salad which was served with fried white anchovies and red peppers on the side. It was also spot on....the dressing was soooo smooth and didn't have that strange after taste that so many caesars do.
I was so full at this point...that I thought I was going to have to be rolled out of there, but he said I "had" to have some dessert....so, hold a gun to my head, why dontcha! *didn't take much proding*
I settled on the Lemon Merengue, again at his recommendation...and it's a lot more like a lemon tart with merenge on top...served with blueberry compote on the side (ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!)....in Texas, a lemon merengue is not so dense....Let me just say, though, this may be the best dessert I've EVER had in my 24 years of living and LOTS of eating out.
I enjoyed my meal and the service so much last night that I just stopped in again tonight and enjoyed yet another fabulous meal. I had the wild salmon with chimichurri sauce....perfectly cooked....sooooo fresh...with a side of brussel sprouts. The brilliant thing about the brussel sprouts is that they were sauteed with pine nuts....which is sooo smart because it cuts any of the bitterness that the brussel sprouts might have contained and gives it that smokey flavor. We usually douce ours with a vinegar-based hot sauce like Frank's at home....but it was not needed as they were perfectly flavored. Rachel Klein is ah-mazing.
oh and I had them wrap up the lemon merengue for me to take to my room....you're supposed to pack on 15lbs in a 3-day vacation.....right?.... -
Review from Ravi S.
Brookline, MA
8/17/2006
Monday: Aura at the Seaport Hotel 8/14
The atmosphere was nice.. however my expectations were a bit higher.. located inside a hotel, i should have known better than to expect anything more. our waiter had this sexy french accent of which i can not resist... semi intimate setting..
The bread: sourdough came with humus, butter, and oil for dipping - the bread was chewy and cold.
Apps - Sea Scallops with potatoe puree and something green puree / baby spinach tossed salad in light vinagrette dressing .. paired with chardonnay... the scallop was good of course, the potatoes looked like apple sauce, but actually tasted pretty good, reminded me of banquet's $1 tv dinners when you pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes in hopes that the mashed potatoe side is cooked enough to eat.. then realizing its not when its not thick.. but watery and piecey.. yea it taste like that but better. the salad wasn't good, lacking of dressing. Us carnivors are not fond of our greens.
Entree - beef tenderloin with sliced baby potatoes / pan seared swordfish ...paired with cabernet souvagnon from napa valley... it was also good. The beef came in two good sized pieces, one piece was very tender like brisket and the other was like a filet.. though im sure it wasn't. Potatoes were marinated and full of flavor drenched in chef's beef gravy. Swordfish was huge, a little fishy at first, but tasted a lot better deeper into the center of the fish.
Desert - Vanilla creme brulee / Stawberry angel food cake... paired with ice wine... creme brulee wasn't very good... very light whipped texture.. rather than flan-like.. it's like eating a non-fat creme brulee.. and angel food cake im not a huge fan of. looks cheap.. i'm better than that. -
Review from elle s.
Boston, MA
1/24/2009
I had the worst experience here. The service was rotten. I had to ask for a bread basket (other tables had it, but for some reason, was not given to me), the soda was flat, and when I was confused, as I thought all sandwiches were served with fries, and none came with mine, all I got was a blank stare.
Then, I saw my fries sit at the end of the bar, and they were never delivered to me, I just asked for the check because I really just wanted to get out of there. A bad experience all together. -
Review from Dan L.
Somerville, MA
8/16/2008
I kept meaning to try Om as I had heard alot of buzz around Chef Rachel Klein. I recently found out that she is the new chef at Aura and decided to try it out for restaurant week.
The steak & peaches first course was unique and was absolutely delicious. I went for the lamb for my entree, my wife tried the kajiki both were fantastic, cooked perfect, amazing flavors. Dessert & wine pairings were very good as well.
Last night's dinner was easily some of the best food I have ever had. I will be back for sure.
We parked in the garage at the Seaport which the restaurant validates down to $5.00 for up to 4 hours, I had banked on $15 parking tab, so this was nice as well. -
Review from Brian M.
Brighton, MA
2/15/2009
Let me start this review by saying that I think Valentine's Day is an asinine holiday. If you're single, you're lamenting the fact that everyone you know has a date and you're relegated to pounding shots of Absolut citron in your sweatpants watching old episodes of Seinfeld. If you're in a relationship, well, that scenario doesn't really seem so bad when compared with the alternative - overpriced restaurants like this.
But I'm not a bitter guy, I just play one on the internet. I'd say that the whole experience at Aura Restaurant was very average for my girlfriend and me.
The atmosphere was nice - think dim lighting, candlelit tables, and light jazz in the background. It was busy, but quiet enough so that we could have a conversation without having to yell. The bathroom seemed like it could have been in a Southie bar on St. Patrick's day - someone's aim was a little bit off.
The service was a little too attentive. My girlfriend commented at one point that she felt rushed - our waitress hovered over the table and came back every five minutes to ask us if we were done. What's the rush?
The food was pretty good, and it was served quickly. I had oysters on the half shell with steak and potatoes, and my girlfriend had a vegetable plate with the steak. They were good, but at $210 for both of us I was a little underwhelmed.
Good - not great. I wouldn't recommend making a special trip to the Waterfront for this restaurant, but if you happen to be staying in the area, it's a decent option. -
Review from Sarah C.
10/3/2008
I was taken here for my birthday, as I had heard so much about Rachel Klein at OM and unfortunately missed her at that location. I've been to a number of "fancy" restaurants in Boston and was really excited to try Aura.
Sadly, it didn't impress me too much. Don't get me wrong, it was very good, just not the knock-your-socks-off kind of meal I was hoping for giving her reputation and the prices.
-The bread basket was excellent.
-The green salad was delicious and huge, with an awesome garlic vinaigrette.
-The short rib pappardelle, which was suggested by the improper bostonian review, i could tell was exquisite, it just wasn't really up my alley in terms of flavor profile. Very aromatic - cinnamon + clove - with short rib, plums, olives. The pappardelle was really well done, just didn't love the dish.
-My stuffed lobster dish could have been better, but I think the bigger issue was in the concept of the meal. It was very all over the place and challenging to eat, and I felt the stuffing was too lemony.
-Dessert was the best part - got the Dark Chocolate Creme which was amaaaazing, and they brought us a little after-dessert treat - little cups with thyme raspberry foam and lemon curd. Awesome.
All in all I probably won't go out of my way to go back, but if I do I'll probably try the Eggs en Concotte and the Steak and Eggs. Should have gotten those. -
Review from Jenn S.
1/28/2009
This week's Elite event at Aura was actually my 2nd time there, and I was very excited as I thoroughly enjoyed my 1st visit!
I went for Restaurant Week a while ago and the best part of the meal was our waiter. I didn't catch his name, but he was a 30-40ish year old Italian man who was just hilarious, accommodating and nice. I would go back just for him!
The restaurant itself is so nice. Clean, quiet, great decor - just the way I like my restaurants. Although not quite for lunch. I felt very business-womanish!
The host was extremely accommodating, as we showed up for our 14 person reservation with only 10 people (oops!). He changed the settings immediately with no complaint and they put us at a huge round table, which was great for conversation.
For my appetizer, I got the Verrill Farm bibb lettuce and spinach salad with marinated red onions, cherry tomatoes and roasted peach vinaigrette. I have to say I was disappointed in this. I am a HUGE fan of onions, but these just tasted weird, and the peach vinaigrette was thick (I expected it to be thin, like raspberry vinaigrette) and not all that appealing. Maybe because I ordered it on the side? Not sure though. I would not get this again.
For my main course, I decided to splurge on calories and I got my first ever Reuben! Corned beef with fresh sauerkraut, Russian dressing and coleslaw. Now, I was worried that the slaw and sauerkraut would be a bit much, as a normal Reuben has sauerkraut and a Rachel has coleslaw. However, the slaw was on the side and was not mayonnaise-y at all. Very nice.
I had asked for the dressing on the side (yes, I'm like Sally in "When Harry Met Sally" and get almost everything on the side) and the waiter told me he couldn't do that, as it's baked in or something. I said fine. However, when it arrived, the Russian was on the side! That made me so happy, as I was able to dip at my own desire and not get too much. That's my way of cutting down on calories. The bread was SO good and the Reuben itself was very enjoyable. I wouldn't get this again at Aura, just because it's a fancier restaurant and I'd want to try other menu items, but it was definitely a tasty treat.
For my dessert, I opted against the chocolate coffee bean ice cream sandwich because, as much as I LOVE an ice cream sandwich, I do not like coffee. Good choice, as the coffee flavor was overwhelming (I tasted a coworker's) and the orange blossom anglaise tasted just like sunblock (seriously). I got the buttermilk panna cotta with house-made organic blueberry jam and Fleu de Sel shortbread.
Now, the only thing I recognized about this was blueberry and shortbread. Those are what signed me up. I had looked up panna cotta before going, and according to Wikipedia, it's "an Italian dessert made by simmering together cream, milk and sugar, mixing this with gelatin, and letting it cool until set." I assumed it was like flan. The panna cotta itself was pretty tasteless, but the blueberry jam was pretty good and they complemented each other nicely. The shortbread, which had a layer of sugar on top, was definitely the best part of the dessert.
So, while a 3-course meal is definitely a bit much for a work-day lunch, I'd say it was a really good deal for $20.07. I was super impressed with the hospitality of the staff and the presentation of all the meals. It makes me want to go back to Aura for a nice dinner one night. (And the Elite event & $20 gift certificate just add to that!)
I recommend! :) -
Review from Ryan R.
Beverly, MA
11/23/2008
The waterfront area is the new area to be in and around. With the opening of new venues and restaurants, Aura is a seasoned veteran. The Seaport Hotel is newly renovated in their lobby which is welcoming as a sitting room. The restaurant has also had a facelift and I was surprised that it looks so nice. The picture that is on the website here is old and the partitions that sit in the lobby are no more. A wall of frosted and unfrosted glass create a degree of intrigue.
The hostess was sweet and delightful asking if the table near the wine cellar was good. The plates and flatware is minimal but modern.
The Server was very sweet and knowledgeable and the seaport's inclusive tip was well spent. He helped us select a red wine which we were very pleased with.
To start: We had the Okinawa Purple Potato soup. The color was beautiful and the taste was amazing. With small amounts of scallops, mushrooms, and lime.
We had the tuna tartar with was light and fresh. With currants and toasted sugar on top. Very unique.
We had spring rolls and a grilled sea scallop with grilled vegetables with a pureed cauliflower. The vegetables were wonderfully paired with the scallop which was cooked wonderfully.
We tried the Tofu which was wonderful. I am usually not a fan of Tofu but it was crisp and soft on the inside and came with a spicy chili sauce. It was on a bed of Bamboo rice which had a delightful color from being grown in bamboo fields.
The Block Island Swordfish was delicious with a slight seasoning and the portion was filling. It came with a jumbo asparagus spear garnish.
For dessert, the meal was so wonderful and the cookie plate disappointed. The cookies should have been warm and melty. Not this one part could have ruined the meal for me.
Chef Rachel was a delight and she came out and asked how the dinner was. I will definitely return and try another Asian inspired/ seafood fusion dinner. -
Review from Kelly Z.
Updated - 7/29/2009
I just ate the most delicious minimeal of my life. I will return every day this week for more Ricotta Gnocchi with morel mushrooms, Brussels sprout leaves, fava beans, shallot cream, and aged Marieke Gouda. What this place lacks in atmosphere it more than makes up with Chef Rachel Klein's inspired and well-executed dishes.
(Usually excellent with self discipline, I couldn't help but polish off the truffled potato purée with herbs that I had intended on saving for tomorrow's lunch. It was perfect.)Listed in: Vegetarian/Vegan Boston
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2009
Consistently good vegetarian option/s (usually only one or two). I've had the deep-fried polenta… Read more »
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Review from John F.
Somerville, MA
1/8/2010
Man, this place was great. Now, full disclosure: the only way I ever considered going in for meals at these prices was because at the Yelp event at Aura last January resulted in me having a letter for $20 off my meal. That made the whole thing a bit more palatable.
And thank goodness for that, because this place was great!
First of all, the service was fantastic. Very friendly, accommodating staff, who even gave us some free fried oysters while we waited for our actual appetizers. Sweet deal, right? As for the food, it was magnificent. I had a chicken dish that came on a bed of polenta and mushrooms. It was delicious, and totally worth the menu price. The rest of my table seemed to enjoy their food as well, as much as if not more so than I did.
Aura is fantastic. If you've got the bank, and are looking for a nice night out, this should definitely be on your list. -
Review from Kristina F.
Boston, MA
3/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
First off, while the # of stars are low, I will compliment the wait staff as our waiter was very nice, lovely and courteous. So the low number of stars is no reflection on the service, but more so on everything else. The reason they even have 2 stars is because of our waiter, Chris.
I was completely unimpressed and underwhelmed. Being a hotel restaurant near the water, I would have hoped it had windows that looked to the water or decor that gave a real ambiance. I felt like I was eating in a conference room. The lighting was ok, but no real environment or personality.
As for the food, the only thing of note would be the gnocchi appetizer. It was delicious and probably could have been enough for the main dish. But I also split the filet with the truffle poached fried egg with my husband. I thought it was pretty lame. I think the whole truffle egg thing was a gimmick and while it wasn't BAD, it wasn't worth the money or the time. The steak also wasn't cooked to my liking.
For dessert, our waiter brought out these white chocolate coconut balls which were a nice touch. But I doubt we would have gotten it if he weren't so nice.
It was restaurant week and this was the only place we could get a reservation. My friends got stuff off the menu, which was completely boring and unimpressive in my opinion.
I wouldn't go back. Not worth it. -
Review from dan d.
Lynnfield, MA
3/8/2012
Made a reservation for Sunday brunch 11 am. When my party arrived they were told no reservation under my name. When I arrived and finally tracked down the "hostess" I asked where the Sunday brunch was. She had a puzzled look that would be the only constant during our experience. As it turns out the reservation was made for 10. There isn't a brunch either in the restaurant "tamo" i thought i had booked or this location. I decided to go with it since my wife's family was here for her 30th birthday celebration and figured we'd try to make the best of it. The hostess was never seen again. After about 10 minutes a "waiter" came and asked us for juice orders. He came back asked about coffee. I asked 3 times for esspresso before i got acknowledged. When he came back he couldn't remember the order of who had ordered cappachino although my bro in law and his fiancee are obviously easiy to tell aprart. We looked the menu and they offered a breakfast buffet for $19.50 or off the menu. When my wife and I went to inspect the bufffet another waiter attempted to take our menus though we didnt take any food from buffet and had yet to order since the waiter had not returned yet. $ of us order the buffet and 2 ordered off menu huevos rancheros. As the buffet eaters ate the other part of our party had to ask 3 times for water and the third request was met with some attitude from the staff. When the rancheros arrived, we were TOLD they ran out of corn tortillas and were served flour. good thing no one had allergies. In additon the meal was less than authentic. There were only 3-4 tables in all with customers, 3 waiters and yet whenever we needed something we could never find our waiter who had disappeared yet again. Perhaps he had a second job within the hotel that he didnt suck at. The check came with the automatic 18% so maybe he doesnt need to care. Considering this is in an upscale hotel owned by a 'major' corporation i expected a lot more. From other previous reviews about the Seaport district is filled with lots of style and no substance. good luck yuppies you probably wont know the difference anyway.
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Review from Desiree B.
Boston, MA
4/19/2009
The price does NOT match the quality. I got a certificate on http://WAAF.com fworth $50 for which I paid $25. Even so, I regret ever paying what I paid for that meal.
The service was so extremely slow even though there was only one other table in the restaurant. The server hardly ever came by and when he did, he'd rush off so quickly, forgetting to ask if we needed anything (like water to wash down the less than mediocre Eggplant I just ate).
I do not recommend you spend you're money here. -
Review from Dan G.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2011
Was staying in the Seaport Hotel, where this restaurant is located, and had the breakfast buffet. It's relatively expensive at $19.50 and the selection is limited; all in all the food was adequate, but not much more than that, for a relatively high-end hotel restaurant. (The bacon wasn't very crisp, for example.)
The restaurant adds an automatic 18 percent service charge even for small parties. (So a buffet in which the waiter does exactly two things -- brings the coffee and checks to ask if everything's fine -- is considered as service-heavy as an elaborate meal; that's annoying.) It's not a big thing, but I'd rather see the actual cost, in full -- with a prominent explanation including a "service included" notice -- than this kind of practice. -
Review from Mary M.
Cambridge, MA
6/1/2011
Aura is really good! I've been there a few times and the food and the service have always been wonderful. Also, the margarita is SO good. A great place!
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Review from Brian D.
6/23/2008
It's my own fault for going to a hotel bar on a busy night to grab a quick drink. It's my own fault for wearing a t-shirt and sneakers into a wanna be fancy pants establishment. It's my own fault for liking the overpriced single malt scotch. It's my own fault for not being part of that asshole wedding party that was crowding 3/4 of the bar. It's my own fault for asking for more crappy bar snacks. It's my own fault for going to the mens room for a much needed moment on the throne and getting my pant legs soaked in a puddle of mystery water. It's my own fault for thinking that an automatic 20% gratuity is completely retarded.
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Review from Stephanie K.
Belmont, MA
8/19/2008
I went to Aura during Restaurant Week this year and loved it. I really felt that it was some of the best food and wine I've ever had, anywhere. True, the decor isn't outstanding and it was very chilly in there the night I went, but those are the only negative things I have to say about it.
The service was very friendly and prompt. I second Dan L.'s assertion that the steak and peaches was amazing! I had the sirloin while my boyfriend had the lamb, and both were delicious. The cherry tart with yogurt sherbet was lovely for dessert.
If you're looking for delicious and creative cuisine (but not so creative that you wonder what you're eating), go to Aura. -
Review from Evan G.
Allston, MA
8/7/2007
Went to Aura for dinner for restaurant week. The bread was delicious, which was a great start. Then came new england clam chowder. I give it a A for the chunkiness factor, but it was way underseasoned and pretty bland. The steak was pretty good, very juicy. The potatoes on the side, though, were boring and tasteless. For dinner we had profiteroles which were really good, but not good enough to save the dinner. The ambiance was terrible for a restaurant of that price, it felt like a takeout chinese food place. Even with restaurant week, this place was way way too expensive for what you get. Find a better alternative.
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Review from thomas n.
Townsend, MA
2/5/2011
Visited the camping show and had a groupon so decided to re visit aura...it had moved, last time it was in the front of the hotel and now it is more central and does not include the bar, pleasant but i liked the bar and window views better.....the bar area has a new name and is certainly still there, martinis were good, by boston burger was unusual but very good although it was cooked more medium than the medium rare requested, wife had a lettuce heart salad with chicken, good, but could have used more dressing and the chicken was a little dry, server was excellent, nice enough place.
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Review from Gerardo M.
Boston, MA
11/24/2010
Great restaurant.
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Review from Taylor L.
Beverly, MA
11/23/2008
I went to Aura the other night and had a nice assortment of some of the options on their menu, and all of them were very unique and delicious. First I had a purple potato soup which was excellent. After that I had some of the tofu dish, and a bit of the swordfish and scallop dishes. All were delicious, and I would definitely recommend this place if youre looking for some new flavors!
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Review from adam b.
4/10/2010
Asked what was best and was told the $24 lobster sandwich. It was ok, seemed like some filler was used the the bread could have been more soft. In addition, the bread to lobster ration was unfavorable so most bites I would taste the $.40 bread over the $23.60 lobster. Fries were very good.
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Review from Allegra M.
Milton, MA
1/4/2010
My fiance and I went to Aura to celebrate New Years Eve. After reading some of the reviews on this site, we were somewhat hesitate, but we decided to through caution to the wind and go to the restaurant anyway. The meal DEFINITELY passed our expectations.
We had a drink before dinner in the hotel's bar, Tamo. The atmosphere was definitely more business than romantic, but the drink prices can't be beat. My fiance's Whiskey Sour was $5, and my glass of Pinot Noir (delicious!) was $8. Although we had arrived an hour earlier than our reservation at the restaurant, we went to Aura after finishing our drinks and they sat us immediately.
The menu for New Year's was a $95/pp prixe fixe without the wine pairings. My fiance ordered the Young Green Salad for the first course, and I ordered the Parsnip Soup. The proportion of the salad was very large and extremely fresh, and my soup was creamy without being too heavy. For the second course, he got the Ricotta Gnocchi and I got the Lobster Mac-and-Cheese. The gnocchi was delicious although the portion size was small and left you wanting more. In direct contrast, the lobster mac-and-cheese was almost too heavy for a second course (I had to ask for half of mine to be wrapped up, because I was afraid I wouldn't have room for my meal!) Third course, he got the Steak and Eggs and I got the salmon. The salmon was good, but not very memorable, and although my fiance ordered his steak well-done, it came out more medium. We were both somewhat surprised that his fillet didn't come with any sauce, so when we asked for Bearnaise Sauce, we were told there would be a wait (but the whipped up a batch from scratch in under 2 minutes). Last course was a trio of desserts - chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and creme brulee. The desserts were just okay: the creme brulee was watery, the cheesecake seemed dry, and the chocolate in the mousse was too overpowering (even for THIS chocoholic!).
The one thing that really stood out was the service. Our waiter was extremely attentive, professional and pleasant. He really helped to make our entire night very special. I think the ambiance of the restaurant was "nice" and very clean, but certainly not overwhelming.
Overall, I would give Aura 4 stars out of 5. I thought the menu was much better than the reviews made it out to be, and although overall it seemed slightly overpriced for what was actually served, I would definitely go back during their regular dinner hour and order off their menu. -
Review from Anne J.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2010
The Seaport Hotel public area is so tastefully decorated. The menus at their restaurants - The Aura and Tamo - bode well with creative combinations of ingredients. The food does not deliver the flavors of the menu descriptions. There's a disconnect between the person preparing the menu and the person preparing the food.
We ate twice at the restaurants. I don't usually order pizza at fine dining establishments but was lured in by the creamed-corn-tarragon-lobster description. The nicely crisped crust bore way too much cheese, overwhelming the other ingredients, if they were there. We found no evidence of tarragon or creamed corn. The dish presented as a traditional cheese pizza with occasional chunks of lobster.
'Unremarkable' is the word that consistently describes our appetizers, entrees, and desserts, from tomato soup to skate to flan. The pork tenderloin was flavorless as were the potatoes that surrounded it. The one vegetarian entree - sweet pea ravioli - was colorful. We need to say something positive!
The obligatory 18% service fee is not appreciated, especially for the performance of the unpolished, curt server.
Sorry to say that the loveliness of the lobby does not carry over into the restaurant. -
Review from Steph K.
New Hope, PA
9/17/2009
Not bad, but I think they are confused about what they are really trying to be in a restaurant. The food is all across the map and their new menu just doesn't hold up. The service is very friendly; however, the atmosphere is not welcoming (it is set up more like a cold hotel lobby then a restaurant). If you do end up at Aura, try some of their staples (chowder, turkey club) and avoid some of their Asian inspired dishes.
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Review from kathy m.
Medford, MA
5/3/2011
Holy Easter Bunny, what a disappointment this restaurant was. I brought my son, his girlfriend, whom I had only me once and my husband to this embarrasment. First off set up so confusing you don't know where to go to let them know your party is there. Once your are seated,a waiter comes by ONCE, sais"your here for the brunch right, just go up and get your own food" It was ok not great, the lamb could of used a chain saw to cut, the salmon very good, salad,shrimp good. So after my husband bused the table 4x because there was no waiter in site I really was getting irritated, a waiter walked by I asked if he could bus the table flew up his hand and said he would be back, of course we never laid eyes on him again. The check came and 20% tip added to the bill of 208.00 no alcahol, I thought was extreemly pricey. I could do nothing about this at the time left and went home. I steemed the entire time in on the car ride. I did call spoke with a female manager at the restaurant and she graciously removed the tip from my charge card. She did ask if there was something I did want to leave the waiter and all I could think of was yes give him his pink slip and show him the door, but bit my tongue I can tell you I will never return, and I must say others must have thought the same as i do now becaue this brunch was sull of empty tables and no one in sight to be seated.
Kathy M. -
Review from danielle m.
Seattle, WA
1/26/2006
pricey but excellent...the presentation was beautiful: for example, the bread came out in a big vasey metal thing and it looked more like a center piece than a food. the 3 different sauces for the crab cakes arrived in modern art cubes with little spoons. it was so posh it almost hurt...almost...except the food was truly wonderful. i'll definitely go back...once i save up enough to splurge.
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Review from Arianna G.
Modesto, CA
4/22/2010
I went to this restaurant in August of 2009. *so this is what is left with me as an impression* I remember making a reservation 5 minutes before getting to the establishment and we were treated to excellent service the entire time my companion and I were there. We started with a parmasean gnocchi that was excellent. Then we had a soup that reminded my companion of vietnam with the heat in the back of the throat that is simply a presence and flavor on the palate. Delicious. They stole the show. The rest of our meal was good, but not better then the earlier dishes. It was a quiet atmosphere, but while we were there we saw some people there for a birthday and that encouraged me. How often do you go to a restaurant that you aren't sure you like for your birthday? Overall a wonderful experience.
