Aura Restaurant & Lounge

Review summary

1. J

   James VIP

   Chicago11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our first visit. The wait staff was exceptional, and the food was excellent. The owners came over to answer any questions and were always checking in. They have a tremendous bar with just about every taste you would like. This place is at the top of our list.
   

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2. E

   Elizabeth

   Des Moines6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Love the new menu. Aura has always been a favorite of ours but the recent changes continue to elevate it in our book.
   

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3. J

   Jennifer VIP

   Des Moines7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Perfect for date night , great evening with my husband
   

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4. N

   Nancy

   Des Moines9 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The meal was fantastic! Grace was our server & was delightful!!
   

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5. K

   Kaitlyn

   Des Moines1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food! Everything was extremely good, the lighting, service, drinks all the way down to the last sip. First time coming and will definitely be back again. Only thing I wish that would change was their sides. You can only order sides for the table, not your own. Makes it a bit more pricey, but atleast it was good. I had their Jumbo Shrimp Diablo pasta for the main course, it was divine. But small portion! Hence me stating I wish the sides had an individual option. We ordered their mushrooms for the side and they were so buttery, full of garlic and each one bursted with so much flavor. There was a ton of them! Overall, recommend this place! 10/10. We also ordered their elote dip, which came with homemade tortilla chips. It was cheesy, and delish. Their croquettes were our other tapas (appetizer) & those were so good!! Just some food recommendations!!
   

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6. J

   Jane

   San Francisco2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was terrible. I literally went somewhere else to eat after. Breading for the chicken piccatta was weird, bland and had an overcooked souffle texture. Lamb ragu was mediocre. Wendge salad was very good. The three very mini beef wellingtons were not even close to a beef wellington and certainly not worth the price. Host introduced himself by saying, "Let me get you someone more competent to help you." We then observed him walking around chatting up the staff. Not sure what this guys job is? We were told when we sat down that we could not stay for more than an hour and a half, which we wouldn't anyway, so no problem, but then it took them 15 minutes to take our order. You don't give people a time limit and then provide slow service. Server was nice. Atmosphere good. Just really bad taking food especially for the money you're paying for it.
   

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7. JB

   JeffB

   Des Moines1 review

   1.0

   Dined on February 9, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Fish had dried out crust much like freezer burn. What were were called truffle fries would guarantee weren't prepared in truffle oil.
   

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8. C

   Crystal

   New York City2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on February 9, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Such a hidden gem. Fantastic, flavorful, and consistent food, good drinks, good service and a beautiful, sleek interior hiding behind a very unassuming exterior. Great place for a cocktail or two, apps and drinks, or a full meal. It's also lovely that, even when busy and there's a lot of energy in the space, you can still hear your companions' conversations without shouting.
   

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9. M

   Marla

   Des Moines1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   So, both owners managed to stop by our table during the evening to make sure the food and service were on par. Everything was great, and I had no doubt that anything that was NOT addressed would have been done immediately. These 2 gentlemen clearly want to see their venture succeed and are involved in every aspect of this restaurant from the beverages to the food and service. We will definitely be back.
   

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10. S

    Susan

    Des Moines3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 2, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Great food, excellent service, nice ambiance and the best espresso martini in DM area! Makes for a very enjoyable evening!
    

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