Dining at AVRA Restaurant in Rockefeller New York was an experience beyond compare. From the moment we walked in, it was evident that this establishment was a cut above the rest. The outstanding service provided by Shane Jardine, the manager and host, and the impeccable care from our server, Hugo, elevated the entire evening.
Shane Jardine's management prowess was truly commendable. His warm welcome set the tone for the evening, making us feel like cherished guests from the start. His attention to detail was apparent as he ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless. From accommodating our preferences to ensuring prompt service, Shane's professionalism and genuine enthusiasm for his role were remarkable. He orchestrated the evening with finesse, making us feel like we were part of an exclusive culinary journey.
Hugo, our server, was the epitome of exceptional service. He guided us through the menu with expertise, offering insightful recommendations that catered perfectly to our tastes. His knowledge of the ingredients, preparation methods, and even the history behind certain dishes enhanced our dining adventure. Hugo's attentiveness was evident without being intrusive, always present when needed and seamlessly disappearing when we wanted privacy. His impeccable timing ensured that our glasses were never empty and our courses flowed smoothly.
And then, there was the food. Oh, the food! It's not an exaggeration to say that the dishes served at AVRA Restaurant were the most amazing we've ever tasted. Each plate was a masterpiece, showcasing the finest ingredients and artful presentation. The flavors were a symphony of taste, expertly composed by a talented culinary team. From the first bite to the last, every dish was a revelation, leaving us awestruck and eager for more.
The ambiance of AVRA Restaurant was equally captivating. The sophisticated yet inviting decor, coupled with the mesmerizing view of Rockefeller Center, created an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. The attention to detail in every aspect of the restaurant's design was a testament to their commitment to creating an unforgettable experience for their patrons.
In conclusion, our dining experience at AVRA Restaurant in Rockefeller New York was nothing short of extraordinary. Shane Jardine's managerial finesse, Hugo's exceptional service, and the breathtakingly delectable food combined to create a symphony of excellence. This establishment is a true gem in the culinary landscape, and it's an experience we will fondly reminisce about for years to come. If you're seeking an unparalleled dining experience that transcends expectations, AVRA Restaurant is an...
Read moreIt's difficult to know where to start, as I truly wish I had not had this experience. I came to this Restaurant on a Sunday with my friends and family, a party of eight in total. We had ordered the pre fixe lunch menu. One of the dishes I had was the fish soup. Unfortunately, I only noticed it when I was about 75% finished, but there was a black hair in my fish soup that resembled a tentacle from a large water bug. I brought this to the manager's attention, who apologized and took the soup back to the kitchen, stating she would investigate. However, she never returned with a resolutionor a follow up. To make things worse, a line of waiters and waitresses started coming from the back room, awkwardly staring at me and my family, which was quite unpleasant and uncomfortable. One of the waitresses, who I imagine was also a bit uncomfortable and did her best, returned with a rather ill-received joke, stating, "It was a clean hair." She also mentioned that the chef was either off or on vacation, which I did not understand the relevance of. If the head chef is the only person responsible for quality control in the kitchen, then they should just close when the chef is unavailable. The remainder of the meal proceeded without anyone addressing me or my family about this issue, or even checking to see if everything else was OK. For dessert, the next part of this unfortunate meal, they brought out everything we had ordered. As fate would have it, I took a bite of some cake that they had recommended and felt something unusual in my mouth. I reached in and pulled out what could only be described as a whisker or a piece of fabric, about an inch and a half long and white. I called over another manager, who took it from me and apologized, then walked away. Having never experienced anything like this before, I was unsure what to expect. However, there was no expression of empathy or any attempt to do something about the situation to make it feel less awkward. In the end, they removed two of the eight meals from the final bill. I was most surprised by the lack of empathy and how the first manager did not return to follow up, instead proceeding with housekeeping tasks to prepare for closing or an inventory check. I am extremely disappointed and would not consider returning to here. With so many other options available in the area, I would suggest choosing a place where they genuinely care about their food quality and handle such matters with a more...
Read moreOur experience was so bad that I’m currently hungover writing this review. I don’t usually do reviews but I’m very disappointed! Went with a party of 10 to celebrate a birthday dinner. Our appetizers took 50 minutes to come out..when we kindly approached the waiter, we received a passive aggressive answer. He kept repeating that this is the “normal wait time” and asked us if we are visiting…(a table of New Yorkers). He also proceeded to tell us we put the food in 15 minutes ago, that’s when I almost spit out my drink in disbelief. Not once did we get an apology or anything that closely resembled one. When the food finally arrived it was absolutely terrible. I have eaten at the other locations and I was looking forward to everything we ordered. Oysters were not fresh, avra chips were drenched in oil and not even fried properly (no crisp), Portuguese sardines were simply NOT good, I’ve had better salmon tartare at local restaurants in Brooklyn… my friend received the wrong appetizer after nearly waiting an hour and the waiters response was “oops, so do you want the other one or is this good”. 20 minutes later her mediocre over boiled shrimp cocktail arrived. The only decent thing I ate the entire night were the lamp chops which were delicious and a generous portion. We then waited over another hour for our entrees and that’s when we started inquiring more, since you know we were all “visiting”. Again kept getting told this is the normal wait time. Oh wait did I mention that the restaurant was empty??? At this point we were extremely disappointed and regretted coming here for a bday celebration. Staff also brought over two desserts for the birthday boys and decided to light the candles in the middle of everyone singing happy birthday then proceeded to give one identical twin a dessert, and the second one landed in front of the wrong person. At that point we just laughed. We have had such good experiences at the other location so this is very disappointing. The only thing that came at the speed of lightning was the check. The waiter came back approximately 30 seconds later and stood over us with a card reader, not even giving us a second to look at our bill or reach for our wallets. That’s when I told him he can come back that we weren’t ready. This whole place needs to be taught proper service etiquette. The only good thing is the ambiance but I can take pretty pictures anywhere else lol. If you know good seafood, and service, do....
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