Great food and realy nice service! Wide variety of salads and appetizers. There are a lot of main course options. Amazing deserts! read more

Aura - Aura restourant. - Mediterranean Near Me - Island Park, New York

I really wanted to like Aura, the location is close to me, the interior is beautiful, the menu looked great, the seating was cozy and dim, the drinks were lovely. We went the first time for restaurant week and ordered: Zucchini chips: large portion, was a good start! could have used salt but that's easy enough for us to add. Whipped ricotta crostini: perhaps because of restaurant week the portion was much smaller than in photos and of the 3 crostini, 1 was badly burnt and the other 2 must have sat in the pass for a bit too long as they were soggy. Branzino: this was an uncharge on the restaurant week menu, the fish portion was large and cooked well but it was very unseasoned, there was no carb, just over broccolini, which was surprising there wasn't a grain, potato, anything given the upcharge. Seafood linguini: this was the most disappointing because it doesn't have a description on the menu but the name matches the 'linguine al mare'. It's an identical dish except they omit the scallops without noting that on the menu, it was very bland, didn't come with lemon, were 2 slices of pickled chili which were great when you got them but more were needed. Personally, I would go for drinks and vibes - albeit the drinks are expensive, cocktails are $19. read more

5 stars- Not sure why there are so few reviews and photos considering that they are open for more than a year. 3.5 stars overall?? Come on....its just not possible. This is a beautiful restaurant, beautiful bar, great lighting fixtures. It's located at the former location for "Pearl" restaurant. It has a sheik look, cool vibe, valet parking, very spacious, private bathrooms, fair prices, great food and the service was amazing! Leo our waiter was informative, polite, and made great suggestions. He was engaging and told me he had worked at Pearl previously. We were not rushed at all. There were four of us and we had a blast. All of our dishes were great, nice portions, served at the proper temperature and we had time between our appetizers and entrees to digest our food. We had a few glasses of wine, other half IPA beer, and several apps to start. Everything was great! We had the tuna tarte, crab cake, lamb kebob and the zucchini chips. Plenty of flavor, and we needed to take a break before our entrees. For entrees we had the salmon, the boulibaisse which had clams, shrimps mussels and cod fish. We also had the scallops which had a pea risotto. Everything was awesome! There are plenty of choices whether it's an app, entree, desert. Nice wine list and the bar can make you almost anything you want. For desert we had the chocolate mousse and the passion fruit sorbet. It was really a wonderful experience and one of the best restaurants in the area. I highly recommend you go to Aura if you would like to have a great experience. read more

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Our third time here and have not gotten past happy hour!! Great big bar and dining room with cool decor. Emily our bartender was funnym cute and on point with food and drinks. The HH menu is great, best oysters I've had in a while and only 1$ each. Grilled chicken skewers, and three Mediterranian dips and we were stuffed! The drink menu is crazy, they were trying out a Martini that tastes like Key Lime Pie, and it did!! We'll be back! read more

$19.00 for a Cocktail? That's INSANE , The last time we were there it was $16.00 That's quite a big difference. read more

Good food. Nice staff. Loud but lovely place. It gets packed & things can get chaotic ... like running out of featured dishes & very slow service. read more

It was fine. $300 average for two not bad. Menu isn't large and the food was all good. Would have liked more seafood options. Tuna tartare could suffice with crackers instead of bread. Bartender should let customers sit where they want. It would have been 2 stars but the owner was kind and is doing his absolute best here so I left it at 3. read more

Food was excellent; on point. The place was packed so the service took longer than we would have liked; only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5. read more

Every experience here is better than the next! Aura's team is one of the best- from the incredible drinks, weekly specials/themed menus, to the food itself- I always walk away so impressed. Their zucchini chips were outstanding as well as their gelato topped with sea salt and olive oil. Perfect for date night, girls night, or a boozy brunch. Aura's space is beautiful. The service is always attentive and professional as well. read more

We were just here to celebrate our anniversary-Aura did not disappoint! We were greeted with a "happy anniversary " and champagne toast. The atmosphere was beautiful from the decor to the lighting and the staff so welcoming. The burrata appetizer with roasted red peppers, balsamic and arugula was delicious and the portion was definitely enough for two people. We had the burger (cooked perfectly) and the pappardelle with short rib...so rich and savory. The drinks were great but we were too full for dessert...next time. We will definitely be back to try out more of this really interesting menu! Great addition to Island Park. read more

Ended the workday with a dozen oysters and a cold Martini at the bar. AAA+!!! Happy Hour prices.... Oysters were fresh, cold and just a buck each!!! Great atmosphere and service.... read more

Awesome food and vibe at Aura! Fast and wonderful service. Will definitely return soon! read more

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We had a 7:30 reservation on a Saturday night, and had to wait over an hour for a table. The staff was rude and never even apologized. Their excuse was, 'Well, it is Saturday night.' The maitre'd lied and said he offered us a table in the back room after 25 minutes which we wouldn't take, when what actually happened after 45 minutes of waiting we said we would prefer the main room. We were never offered the other table. Sorry, but if you don't know how to run your business well enough to respect your customers, you won't be getting my business anymore. read more

Nice looking place, but to many problems! Yes the place is attractive, but the bar-maids seem to have an attitude, and the prices for drinks are out of sight as for h the food, what wasn't salty was had to find, the election was sparse, and the prices again were very high . They will have to do without us. read more

Not sure what all of these bad reviews are about. Just dined here and had a great experience .. it's a beautiful restaurant with fast service and the food was delicious. I got the branzino and my husband got the burrata rigatoni. Appetizer we got the dips and the colossal crab. All was wonderful! read more

My wife and i sat at the bar for drinks and a lite bite. Food was very good drinks were excellent and Eric and the girls were very friendly and attentive. Will definitely do that again. read more

Excellent atmosphere, prompt service, delicious food. Manager Jessica rocks! Waiters, servers and bar staff are all top notch.

I was so excited when I heard DaNicola was opening a sister restaurant. I watched and waited for months and finally dined there yesterday. I'm not going to lie, I had very high expectations and they did not disappoint. We arrived a little earlier than our reservation so we could check out the ambiance and have a cocktail. We arrived to 3 hostesses that were so adorable and friendly with big smiles. The decor is warm, cozy and beautiful. We sat at the bar and Gavin our bartender/mixologist whipped up delicious cocktails and great conversation. The menu has a wide variety of options so if you like a lot of different foods you might have a hard time deciding. We opted for the tuna tartare, octopus and zucchini chips appetizers. Each one was better than the other but the zucchini chips were light and crispy with a delicious yogurt dill sauce that was so good they should bottle it. For main courses we had lamb chops, skirt steak and scallops, all cooked to perfection but those scallops couldn't be beat. The brussel sprouts for a side were the best I ever had. For dessert we had the limoncello panna cotta and chocolate mousse with coffee/cappuccinos which were the perfect ending to an epic meal. Our server Ann was delightful, accommodating and very knowledgeable. I would request her again. We never had to ask for water, our glasses were constantly being filled. We can't wait to return and bring our family and friends. read more

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Service was excellent. Love the decor. Food order was on time, staff very friendly. Food was prepared to perfection

Totally shocked that this restaurant isn't rated higher because it is DELICIOUS! All around great restaurant from the vibe/atmosphere, the service, and the food is so tasty. One of the best spicy rig with burrata, the lamb kofta is so good, and the whipped ricotta is yummm. Everything is so flavorful! read more

I am a regular here sometimes even once a week and I can say everytime I come the food and service is always spot on and delicious!!!!! They have great specials doing the week for both food and drinks! The food is delicious and fresh not to mention it's one of the more classier establishments in the area. People complain about prices but look around. The diner costs the same. If you haven't been here I definitely recommend! read more

We were very Disappointed in the Food, the Service, and the very HIGH Prices here, There are much better choices in this aera

The prices are sky high here with only fair food, and very slow service. I'm surer that you can do better in Long beach. We will not be returning. read more

8:15 pm, reservations sat down at 8:50 pm two wine list choices are not available I asked for steak med raw of course well done Chicken special no more arugula so we will substitute with mushy sweet potato and plain lettuce " excuse me this is not our bill " ok sorry let me bring it back to you wrong again I give any restaurant a free pass at any dinner but 5 mistakes? expected better read more

Came here a couple times with friends. Reservation system was easy to navigate Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly hostess. Food and drink orders were taken promptly. The space is well lit and feels cozy and upscale. Cocktails appetizers and mains were all fantastic. We had the arugula salad, which was 10 out of 10 and the Bronzino, which was one of the best dishes I've had locally. Didn't even have room for dessert, so will have to do that next time :) Our server checked on us a few times and was very attentive. Will definitely be coming back!! read more

We found Aura to be Over=Rated, and much to expensive for the quality and service given her. Also there seems to be a women that works here and writes these constant 5 stare reviews on Face book, and Google on a regular bases. As for their bar the drinks are highly over priced, and the bartender(s) need a lesson in friendliness. read more

Loved Aura in Island Park. Wonderful menu, unique food items with friendly attentive service. From the moment we walked in and were greeted by a friendly hostess to our great server and the person walking around making sure no one's water glass was more than half empty we were treated with five star service. Food was absolutely amazing. My Halibut was tender and juicy with clams and chorizo. So different so delicious. My wife's squid ink linquini and seafood was delicious as was my son's streak which came cut as is done at the finer steakhouses. My only regret was not sharing our appetizers cause we did not have room for dessert. Drinks came with a generous poor. We will return soon. read more

The experience at Aura brunch is memorable for sure. My wife and I really walked away impressed by the food, service, and atmosphere. Upon entering we were greeted and walked into a lively environment. A DJ was spinning and the dining room was awash with natural light. Though busy, we did not feel pressed for space - the seating in particular was very comfortable. The cocktails were expertly crafted. We indulged in some seasonal drinks that were a bargain at $12. The Alpine Bliss was a particular favorite of mine. The drinks paired well with our Mediterranean dips appetizer. Our three dips were hummus, and olive tapanade, and a delicious, slightly spicy, baba ganoush. The only downside was having to chose just one entree. My wife and I chose to go light - I had the Nicoise Salad and my wife had the Harvest Salad with a generous portion of salmon. The dish was dressed with a delectable champagne vinegarette. Of course, we balanced out these healthy choices with an ample well-seasoned side of truffle fries. Neither dish disappointed on portion nor flavor. Though the price was more than what you might want to spend, I came away feeling that we got more than our money's worth. Staff was attentive and accommodating. Though we chose not to bring our bundle of joy, we saw a number of parents with their children. This is an easy 5 star rating in our books. We look forward to returning for dinner. read more

We were extremely disappointed here That I just had to write a review. I want to say that it was not worth my trip here to be treated this way. First off, the food was not so good, much of it was too salty, also we felt to be rushed by our waiter, , The Tuna Tartare app. was also salty, the Skirt Stake was over priced for what ir was. the mushrooms tasted like store bought, The drinks were much too expensive And as I already said it just was not worth the trip her. And we would not be coming back again. read more

No a Fan, We were a party of 5 and everyone was unhappy. The food was either to salty, or fatty. The service was very slow. Only very small amount of bread was offered. The drinks were very small and very expensive Bar Maid was noy at all friendly, ,And on top of all that the prices were much to high. We will not be returning here again. That's for SURE, read more

I was looking forward to Aura and was so disappointed. Went for brunch with 6 girls and everything I tried was very salty. I had a salad that was full of oregano not good at all. Then when we got the check they charged us for 11 bottomless drinks when only 3 people ordered them. Thank goodness we looked closey at the bill. Not a fan company was good but can't say I was impressed. read more

Went with 7 friends. All the food was delicious. Service was excellent. Great selection of dishes. Will definitely come back.

Great new restaurant had dinner there last night. The staff was amazing. Food was spot on. read more

Food was great, place is beautiful and staff was so friendly and accommodating. Will definitely be back!

The food is very good. The people that work there are so cool and it was just an enjoyable experience one day at once a few weeks back and visited again soon after. read more

A fairly new place with only so-so food but a very attractive place with beautiful atmosphere and high prices. I suggest you come here for "Special Occasions'" because of the high prices. Look out for the Barkeeps that make lots of mistakes with your Check. read more

Was just here and found Aura to be very nice visually, and the food and service was also good, as was the atmosphere, as were the staff . BUT the real problem was the extremely high prices on the food and drinks .I w as the one to suggest this place and I felt terrible when the check arrived. I would definitely think twice about returning again. read more