Cafe Aura — Restaurant in Manchester

I wish I could give this outstanding restaurant 100 stars. Have you ever eaten somewhere so phenomenal and delicious that you actually felt more and more sad as the meal went on because you live hundreds of miles of away and can’t eat there all the time? We were in route to Boston and running late to our reservation, unsure on what time we would make it. We called to make sure it would be alright to arrive a little late. The kind lady who answered was so sweet and assured us not to rush, just be sure and drive safely, she would keep our table open no matter what. She was just as delightful when we arrived and was happy we had found our way and made it safely. Then our lovely server appeared. Kelly was so full of spunk, warm and friendly as well. She helped make some suggestions as the menu was full of variety that we were having trouble deciding. I started with the best created cocktail I’ve had in a while (Fig Martini). I tried to glean the recipe from her, as it was so remarkable. My husband always chooses meatballs for a starter. I’m usually not a big meatball fan, but these were the best I’ve had. I wanted my fair share of them and that phenomenal sauce. Meanwhile, he normally won’t touch the bread that is brought to the table, but he also wanted his share of that. Then we shared a watermelon salad that was so refreshing with an amazing flavor profile. Our main courses were also out of this world delicious, not to mention beautifully presented. My husband said it was maybe the best piece of fish he’s ever had. Along the way the manager came and spoke with us and was so very friendly and engaging. We were asking about the history of the restaurant and he informed my sports obsessed husband of who the celebrity owner was, that was a real fun fact for him! I wasn’t aware of that name, but as soon as we got in the car he made sure and find me some clips to listen to. Ha. After the manager checked in on us, the chef came over as well to see if we enjoyed everything. That was a resounding-YES. He also, was just so friendly and seemed to genuinely want to know his diners and make sure they were happy. At this point we were almost pinching ourselves wondering if we had stumbled into another dimension. Everything was so perfect and everyone was above and beyond friendly and welcoming. We dine out a lot and my husband travels extensively for work and has eaten at many, many restaurants. This is top notch, top of the list, one of the very best dining experiences we have ever had. If you live in the Manchester area, I’m extremely jealous as you have this gem to enjoy. We will be talking about this meal for a long time, and will for sure be back anytime we are...

As longtime patrons of Cavey's, we were heartbroken when they announced their closing in May 2019. But when Geno Auriemma (head coach of UCONN women's basketball and part-time restaurateur) bought the restaurant, I remember thinking, "If anybody can pull off a second act for this venerable instutution, it's Geno." With a redesigned menu and redecorated interior, Cafe Aura opened phoenix-like later that December.

My wife and I eagerly tried out the new restaurant, and I have to confess that we felt that they weren't quite hitting the mark in their first few years of operation. It certainly didn't help that they opened right into the onslaught of COVID, although they did resume a limited take-out operation as soon as they could. But a few more years later, Cafe Aura appears to have hit their stride and be on top of the game, and have earned their status as a fitting heir to their legendary predecessor.

Although we've dined at Cafe Aura 3 to 4 times per year, this review will specifically cover our Mother's Day 2024 meal. Appetizers included calamari and Caesar salad. The calamari was crunchy and sweet with a clean, clear flavor, and accompanied by a nicely spicy marinara dipping sauce. The Caesar was highlighted by crisp romaine coated with a classic creamy dressing, crunchy garlic-infused croutons, and topped with generous shaved Parmesan. Entrees were lasagna bolognese (a generous slice, the sauce a flawless balance of creamy and meaty), grilled sea bass (firm yet flaky fish grilled to perfection and seasoned nicely), and a 12 oz. NY strip (aged beef done textbook medium rare with sides of fingerling potatoes and grilled baby carrots). Desserts encompassed tiramisu, creme brulee, and canollis. All in all a great meal, executed and served with excellence.

I should mention that during the main course, executive chef Erminio Conte stopped by the table. When I replied, "Wonderful" to him asking me what I thought of the lasagna, he responded, "Of course it is," and then added, "You know, it's the simple dishes that are the most difficult to get just right."

If I can find any fault, it may be that Cafe Aura ain't cheap. But the old adage that you get what you pay for is amply illustrated here. As was Cavey's before it, Cafe Aura is our go-to for...

(Last visited 9/23/2021.) A friend of ours highly recommended this place to us so we had to check it out! It's owned by Geno Auriemma who is the basketball coach of the Women's U-Conn basketball teams. How cool is that?! So of course it adds a coolness factor to this place. Let's see how it went!

Atmosphere/Appearance: Set outside of "downtown" Manchester on East Center Street is this gem. There is some private parking right behind the building, but of course there's some street parking scattered around. Once inside the restaurant you're just... relaxed. The vibe is SO CHILL, low-key, slow-pace and subtle. It makes you just wanna breathe easy and breathe deep. I loved the atmosphere. The restaurant felt very open as well and we hung out by the bar to take advantage of happy hour.

Service: Kimberly took great care of us. We had no complaints.

Food: We came for happy hour so we stuck tightly to that menu. I had an order of their happy hour shrimp tacos and they were pretty decent! They come with sauteed shrimp, tomatoes, cilantro, leafy greens, onions and a zesty sauce to pour on top. I also had an order of their happy hour kettle chips which were thinly sliced potato chips covered in a deliciously cheesy light sauce. These were EXCELLENT. I loved how the chips worked so well and had a nice crunch to them.

Value: My 2 happy hour tacos were $8.00. Not a bad value, but that's about the price of shrimp tacos at a Mexican spot that's not on happy hour. Lol. My kettle chips were $6.00. Those were pricy, but I'm sure it's the cheese sauce that upped the price of this appetizer.

In conclusion, this place was cool, but I don't see myself returning. I don't have a real reason to not return, it just doesn't draw me back. You know? It felt a little "too mature" for me. Lol. Does that make sense? No worries, this place is good, just come prepared to spend and you'll honestly get what you've paid for. Solid food.

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