Aura — Restaurant in Boston

We came to celebrate Easter at Aura with our 3 year old daughter. The restaurant had advertised an Easter egg hunt and visits with the Easter bunny. Our entire experience was such a disappointment. I had called in advance to see if we could add two family members to our party, which would make us a party of 4 plus a small child. I was told very brusquely this was not possible and then was warned not to be more than 15 minutes late or the reservation would be dropped. We got to the restaurant 15 minutes early and were seated immediately at a large 4 person table. There were 4 tables immediately around us which were empty and three of those stayed that way for our entire visit. We were then told that the last Easter egg hunt would occur in 30 minutes. (I had also called to ask when the Easter egg hunt would be, as we were planning on it being the main entertainment for our daughter and didn't want to miss it. I was told, "There are lots of them. You aren't the only ones attending the brunch.")?? In fact, we had to leave the table just a little while after we had received our drinks to go upstairs and line up for the hunt. The Easter egg hunt lasted for about 5 minutes in which all the older children ran and grabbed all the eggs, leaving none for the little ones. The organizer of the event later came to the tables that had small children (after the lady seated next to me had words with the manager), handing out a couple of eggs. Nice, but the whole point is to have fun finding them. The food was uninspired and rather dull. The standard eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, and then lunch items such as baked salmon and cocktail shrimp, a carving station with sirloin. The service was rough and hurried. Then a 20% gratuity was automatically added by the restaurant (for a buffet??) and we were also then told that the restaurant no longer validates parking. $27 to park for brunch. In the end I'm glad our other family members weren't allowed to join us. They would have been as...

We called this morning Christmas morning looking for a last-minute reservation for their Christmas brunch we were told it was sold out by the operator who answered we asked to get put through anyways and Christopher J Keating the food and beverage manager answered the phone and lo and behold he found a table for us. Christopher was absolutely outstanding in his manner his professionalism his courtesy he’s a charming young man and the consummate professional. This was our first experience at their Christmas buffet my goodness it was delicious they had everything from breakfast eggs Benedict bacon eggs ham frittatas and so on...They also had prime rib ham oysters shrimp you name it they have it any excellent vegetarian selection as well. Worth every penny of the $70 per person. Our waiter was absolutely outstanding as was everybody we came in contact with at the Seaport Hotel and the restaurant. Very impressed with the food and the service the staff so impressive that I have to try to stay at this hotel sometime soon. Again two thumbs way up to Chris Keating food and beverage manager you helped make our Christmas that much better...

We came here after purchasing a Google Offer deal - $69 for a three-course dinner for 2 ($175 value). Great way to be introduced to new restaurants we have not been to. In our case this was not a good introduction, we did feel intentionally deceived.

While food was great and service were fine, we did feel cheated as the deal we have purchased with $175 value was totally deceiving. There is absolutely no way with Aura's limited menue a dining couple can order a three course dinned up to that amount. We were not allowed to order lobster ?! (the most expensive item @ market value) and we do not eat meat. However even if you ordered the lamb @ $38 (the second highest priced item after lobster) plus the $15 appetizer and a $10 dessert for each of two people you would still stay far below the $175 value of the coupon.

Did not feel like a fair proposition and left a bad "aftertaste" :(

There are too many great restaurants in Boston, with great food, great service and great atmosphere - in this case unfortunately we will...