Mike M.

Rachell E.

Scott C.

Dave G.

pbarp M.

margo f.

Richard F.

Tony S.

Mary F.

P B.

Took the wife last night and our experience was great. Brett the bartender/server really knows his beer. Great service, especially considering he was making everyone's drinks as well as serving. We had the tasting menu, I thought the dishes had a nice flow. Everything was really well balanced. The butternut squash soup is out of this world. I will be putting forth all my efforts to try and re - create this at home. The cod was good as well, the gentle heat from the Spanish chorizo was a nice touch. The braised beef was tender, and the sauce with the sweet potato mash worked really well together. I had the molten chocolate as others have. It was not molten, but it was really moist and the chocolate cake itself had good flavor. Dessert took longer than the other courses, but it gave us time to order an espresso to help wake our senses from the ensuing food coma. All things considered, we enjoyed ourselves too much not to give amaury's 5 stars.

Lochin S.

five stars for the food. tonight will be our third wine or beer dinner evening. At first these dinners threw me off, I hate being late so got there early. so we stand around forever, nothing in hand waiting for the event to start. we sit (at long communal table) and the education talk starts, more waiting and then food, no wine. once you get our entree, you cant start to eat because the rest of the table does not have thier food yet. it was pretty strange. so now we know what to expect. CHEF AMAURY, YOU HAVE TRAINED US TO BE LATE. so now, third time, we say "why be on time, they never start on time". start on time and your customers will respect you and they will be on time. I have recommeded ths place to many of my friends and I would return again and again. They have a cozy bar with a good selection of brown spirts, and the staff takes the time to engage you. I wish it was closer to home, no maybe not because I would be here all the time.

Susanne D.

I just realized I've never written a review for Amaury! I hope the punishment I receive isn't nearly as bad as the one that should be doled out to Mark P for giving a one-star rating below. Is he out of his mind??? Chef Amaury 33 West is the dining crown jewel of Aurora's recharging downtown area... with regard to quality and creativity, the restaurant belongs in Chicago proper alongside the likes of Purple Pig. Food is locally sourced, innovative and always delicious! The wine list isn't extensive, but has a broad array of offerings -- all of which are minimally marked up (unlike it's fancy counterparts in the fine dining world that love to price gouge in this area) You can choose the kind of dining experience you want to have here, too, which is really nice. There are amazing prefixe menus, you can order ala carte or you can sit in the lounge with a cheese plate and wine. Very chill and laid back. If you have the opportunity to enjoy a conversation with Chef Amaury (and/or his beautiful better half, Trisha) you'll see clearly the passion that this place was built upon. He oozes excitement about the growth of downtown Aurora and the food he creates...it's contagious. It's really a shame that more people don't know about this place, but that will likely change as word spreads...and this Naperville magazine article drops. napervillemagazine.com/?… All hail 33 West! So glad I discovered you in 2011!

Rick N.

Eric H.

Teresa B.

Tom P.

Kate R.

Colleen M.

My husband and I had dinner there on a Friday night. The owner/chef stopped by our table while we were looking over the menu and answered some of our questions. He was very friendly and described the ingredients he uses to make his dishes - - only the best quality! We had the 5 course fixed menu and enjoyed ever course. Every thing was cooked to perfection, juicy, tasty, steamy hot (which you don't get often!). For desert, my husband ordered a delicious chocolate squash creme brûlée. I can't eat sweet deserts and when I told them that, I was offered a cheese plate instead - - it was such a treat! We will definitely return and bring some friends to enjoy the restaurant with us next time!

Tony S.

Amazing culinary experience brought to you by a professional, knowledgable staff in a warm atmosphere. Chef Amaury's care for his customers shows in his food.

Mary F.

We went on a busy Saturday night after the 4PM Paramont show. It was obviously challenging to handle the people finishing dinner before the 8PM show and the people coming in after the 4PM show. The staff made the appropriate priorities to get people to the theater while still handling the new people arrriving and acknowledging they were a bit over whelmed. The food and service were delightful. We had scallops, tuna, soup (excellent parsnip soup), and we shared a rack of lamb plus a molten chocolate - well worth the 15 minute wait.

Rachell E.

This was a legendary meal for me! My honey and I attended for my birthday and WOW, the food was amazing! It was the oddest thing when he pulled into a 'dinky' strip mall next to Ponderosa and said to me, 'you ready?' Of course I thought that he was joking, seeing as though there didn't appear to be anything in the strip mall worth getting out of the car for! I AM SO GLAD that he wasn't joking. The meal was so delicious that I asked the Chef if I could take a copy of the menu home with me as a keepsake. My favorite course was the soup course, a butternut squash soup make from local ingredients. Chef Amaury and his Wife were fantastic hosts and the bottle of Bordeaux that she suggested for us was a perfect compliment to the meal! Chef Amaury creates his menu weekly based upon what the local farmers have available and he only uses sustainable ingredients. For the two of us the meal was about $190 and worth every penny. Chef Amaury, if you read this, I'd like to commend you on turning a 'dinky little strip mall' into a destination!!! Great food, great ambiance, and a great concept.

Hayley H.

I went with Hilary, see the review below back in January, though regretfully have not yet been back! She hit it on the head when she wrote it was WORTH it! THe tasting menu was fun and delish and the service was elevated. Truly a nice, white tablecloth kind of dinner. The room, with its exposed brick, lends to a past time in downtown Aurora. When fancy was the norm...

Katharine W.

What a delight! A perfect location to eat before a show at the Paramount Theater. Ample free parking is available in the lots behind the restaurant and it is within walking distance to the theater. We had the 5 course meal which was fabulous--every course!--and well spaced. The staff was knowledgeable and did a wonderful job making us feel welcome. Will return!

Patrick H.

I want to preface this review with, I've only ever been here for events. So, I don't know what happens normally. I found this place to be very hot in the summer. I don't know if they have AC. It's so hot. The bar is very cool looking, but the menu was very limited. The food seemed extremely over priced, and they cut off the kitchen at some point at night. So, if you get there after that you'll just be getting drinks. The server didn't seem like he even wanted to talk to me. Let alone take my order. There are literally only 2 other businesses on their side of the street. Every other business has up and left. Leaving downtown Aurora looking almost deserted, minus BallyDoyle's and the Casino. I think this place has it's fans.... and they frequent the place enought to keep it going. But unless there is something going on it never looks lively. And the seating is horrible.

Anne E.

Chef Amaury is not only a great, innovative chef, he's a delight too. At his restaurant, he personally greets and chats with the patrons. The man can work the room. And he LOVES to talk food. Speaking of food... We have eaten at this restaurant five or more times. It is consistently well done. The menu changes and farm to table ingredients are common. Pre fixe menu is typical. Salad, soup (always a highlight for us), fish (always good), meat course, and of course - dessert! The vegan cheesecake is exceptional (and we're not vegan). The Venezuelan chocolate lava cake seems to be his specialty for dessert and it is very good. Ambiance is exceptional here. It's cozy and inviting. This is the perfect date restaurant. Local artists' creations adorn the walls and the bar area is lovely. The bartenders know what they're doing and they're supremely attentive. This restaurant is a BARGAIN. $65 for a pre fixe menu of this caliber is outstandingly affordable. The wine list isn't over priced and there are great selections. This restaurant is walking distance to the Paramount theater. Go here for dinner before or after a show. Or, just to enjoy a cocktail. Amaury, if he's there, will surely chat you up. We love this place.

Lindsey G.

Wonderful, unpretentious experience. Our server was phenomenal, not to mention the food was absolutely perfect. We had the 3 course Paramount Theater special, which was plenty of food, especially for $42/person. The braised short ribs were spectacular! I'm 9 months pregnant so was unable to have any alcohol, but my husband loved his (two) old fashioneds. We will definitely be back.

Charles W.

Bitter. That is one word describing our most recent experience here. We received an email announcing a truffle-themed dinner a few nights later and organized a group of eight. Five courses for $75. One of our group has a dairy allergy,and when the reservation was made we asked if they could accommodate. They said yes they could accommodate and went so far as to explain the substitution for each course. No dairy is no problem...excellent. We arrived and ordered cocktails, which were very good. Craft cocktails take time, so I will not knock the score here for the wait on our drinks. However, the restaurant was sold out for this dinner with 35 reservations (and a wait list for the event), and you have only one bartender who fell behind quickly. For failing to staff correctly, you FAIL. We ordered two additional drinks and received only one...i guess I wasn't thirsty after all...but in the end we did not get charged for the drink so no real harm. After the 35 were seated, Chef came out and talked about the courses we would be served. During his speech, he spoke of some tragic events in his life, which while very sad, were just out of place and seemed very odd. Chef also mentioned that he envisioned a maximum of 20 patrons for this event, but stretched portions and changed things to accommodate 35. Very odd that he even said this as it seems like a money grab in plain terms. Why even say that?!?! First course arrives...salmon. Nice presentation. To this point it has been 20 minutes or so since we had been seated, and we have nothing but water in front of us (and salmon). At no point did either server think to offer us the wine list or another cocktail! We finally had to track her down and get some wine glasses. Luckily I brought a bottle and intended to pay corkage, otherwise we may well have gone thirsty. Sadly, we had to remind the staff of the dairy allergy, as they never asked which person in our party required substitutions. Fail. On every level except the salmon itself. Second course- soup. The staff could not decide whether they would give us soup spoons or if we would be fine using our dessert spoons- yes, this was contemplated in front of us. Fail. We needed to remind the servers of the dairy problem, and they had to exchange the soup. Fail. Soup was good though, but nothing special. Third course- fish. We felt the need to ask the servers again about the dairy issue. They disappeared and came back out and removed the fish presented- sure enough, it contained dairy. Seriously? We need to remind you after each course is presented? It took almost ten minutes for a new dairy-free dish to be made. I will remind you that we asked about this when the reservation was made, and it wasn't going to be a problem. Wrong. EPIC FAILURE ON EVERY LEVEL for a restaurant holding itself out to be a fine dining establishment. Fourth course- steak. Excellent course, though some plates were medium rare and others very rare. Again we had to ask and be certain there was no dairy. Fifth course, a dessert- berry and truffle creme brûlée, and we were told our dairy-free friend would be served fresh berries. Problem- they have no berries. What!?!? Okay, they can make a vegan cheesecake...um, okay. And what of the blueberry and truffle creme brûlée? Soup- for half of us. Thin and watery- epic failure. When the servers finally cleared dessert, i waited until they took all four UNEATEN desserts, at which point I had to tell our server the deserts were bad. He clearly should have noticed and asked. Failure. Their credit card machine was broken so we had to pay via check or cash,obtained from the ATM in the bar across the street. As i walked to the ATM, our friend spoke to Chef, who was now sitting on a sofa in the lounge, chef coat removed. Our friend told chef of the multitude of issues, and not once did chef offer an apology. The sous chef came out as our friend discussed the awful creme brûlée, and the sous explained that they knew some were off because they ran out of yolks. How the hell do you run out of eggs? Truffles yes, but freaking eggs?!?!? And to then knowingly serve a flawed dish???? Unforgivable. I was informed that Chef's feelings were hurt because he received a not-so-favorable review from a Check Please diner. I can see why the review was not good. This was an awful experience. In Chef's "pity speech" he mentioned the recent loss of his father and also the loss of a valued employee...terrible things, but if you are not emotionally stable enough to give an event your best effort, then DON'T DO IT! Those events, while tragic, are no excuse. The Wednesday event was announced on Monday, so you knew damn well that perhaps you weren't ready for this. It felt like it was hastily thrown together and poorly planned. You order ingredients for 20, and then accept 35. Your sous sent flawed plates out of the kitchen, which is on you. Chef Amaury, you failed. Your team failed.

Robert D.

Great Meal! The Chef here is big on using local produce and meats. The fish fresh here. We started off the meal with a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay for $55. Great wine list reasonably priced. The butternut squash soup that was finished with a chive olive oil and crispy chorizo bits. Silky smooth and made by someone that knows what he is doing. We split an order of the seared scallops that were done nicely as well. The entrees were wonderful. I had the Acorn Fed Berkshire Pork Chop from southern IL with a Vanilla Bean Rutabaga puree, Kale, with an Apple compote.Wish I had more of the puree! It was great. The wife had the Risotto with shrimp, mushrooms kale bell peppers.The vegetables were cut so not to overpower the rice. Great flavor on the risotto nice. Desserts were good I liked the Earl Gray infused Creme Brulee with white chocolate and the Peanut butter ice cream with a Concord Grape filled soft pastry. Not a big fan of that one. Caught Larry the Cable Guy @ the Paramount. Great meal after the show.We will come for the wine and the food, The menu changes so give it a shot. The bill was $112 for dinner and $55 of that was the wine. If you don't like what is put in front of you than say something to them! If you don't and post a rant then your penny wise and pound foolish. .

Elizabeth W.

After reading several reviews we decided to give this place a try before attending a production at Paramount Theatre. I was hesitant at first, based on the location, but I'm so glad we went. We had the 4 course meal and it was outstanding. I won't go into all of the food details since the menu changes frequently, but the flavors and presentation were amazing. Service was almost impeccable. The only issues we encountered were: 1. My husband's plate was cleared before I finished the first course. 2. They did not have the first beer my husband ordered in stock (previous posters lamented about drinks not being available). 3. My husband had to ask for his water to be refilled after nearly 20 minutes with an empty glass. These are obviously very minor issues and should not dissuade anyone from dining here. Plus, the food was OUTSTANDING. I have dined all over, including Michelin-starred restaurants, and this place is truly a gem. If for nothing else, go for the food.

Holly L.

Amazing food and cocktails. You need to try one of their beer or wine dinners! Can't wait for the Blood Orange season because the Blood Orange Martini is my fav!

Suburban M.

Went there for my birthday, it was pretty disappointing. Their AC wasn't working properly (or they cheaped out and kept it at 78), it was uncomfortably warm sitting there, which made me not hungry. I ordered wine from a list of only 12 sold by the glass, they didn't have it. I chose a different one, they came back 5 min later and said they only had 1/2 glass of that! By now, it was 20+ min since we were seated. We got passed off to a different server and nothing was communicated in the transfer. Terrible service! They were out of the only soup listed in the menu, and ran out of scallops -1 of only 4 dinner options that weren't an appetizer or dessert. I don't like grouper, so it was either beef stew (not a seasonal dish), their premium steak dish or I could pay $20 for chicken and beans. Bad service, food was good but nothing special, not going back.

John G.

I have been dining at Chef Amaury's since it was at it's old location, so it's been over 5 years. I loved this place and visited several times a year for special occasions such as birthday and anniversary dinners. However the last two times it has been a terrible experience enough that I will not return. On my 2nd to last visit: My steak dish was okay however the pork dish my girlfriend ordered was 50% fat. The chef should have never allowed this out of the kitchen. The chocolate cake for desert was something I would expect to unwrap out of a vending machine... totally ridiculous to even serve such an abomination! I expected much better for a meal for two that was around $150. On my last visit: (8/30/14): I called the day before to talk to Amaury to let him know about my last sub-par dinning experience, inquire about the menu for the next evening and to make reservations for my girlfriend's birthday dinner. He assured me everything would be wonderful and I was excited that they had scallops on the menu. Here's where it all went downhill. 1) It was around 80 degrees and we were sweating just sitting there. 2) Our female server that we had last time as well was not knowledgeable about the menu and slightly annoying. 3) We ordered drinks.... 10 minutes later (no joke) she brought out my wine and said they were out of the wine my girlfriend ordered. 4) She pawned us off to another server after a table of 4 was seated. (Not bad, because the guy was very knowledgeable and good at his job, the only positive of the evening! We felt bad for him... he was covered in sweat beads the entire night!)) 5) In the transfer of servers our soup order was never placed... 20 minutes later we inquired about that.... oops! They were out of the soup on the menu and offered another one in it's place. Not a huge deal. The alternative soup was great when we finally received it. 6) Finally we were served water! Isn't this supposed to happen right away? Even cheap chain restaurants knows this! Since it was so warm in there, we drank our waters very quickly....and then my glass was empty for about 15 minutes until Amaury's wife came around and refilled it. Nice attention to your customers!!! 7) At this point we should have just left, however, there aren't that many choices for upscale dinning in this area, so we decided we would stick it out and make the best of our sauna dinning experience. 8) When ordering, they were out of the scallops!!! Really? There were around three other filled tables there, about 10 people total. There were way more empty tables than filled ones. How are you out of this too??? 9) We ordered the sirloin and the stew. The sirloin was okay, I've made much better myself. The potatoes were very dry and the sauce was just mediocre. This was what I would expect for around $12 at a chain restaurant. The stew was decent and had a great taste.... but it's a stew, not our first choice for a birthday dinner. 10) Not a single thing was done for my girlfriend's birthday! Nothing was even offered to make this disastrous experience more tolerable.... like dessert on the house. Heck, I was at Monterra Grill in Algonquin last night and the waitress came and said she screwed up and placed a fillet order instead of my rib-eye and offered to buy our desserts.... a $16 peace offering. This is what a real restaurant does for its customers! I know Amaury is going to try and defend his restaurant and comment on this review, but there is truly no excusing this experience at a pricey establishment. In summary: I really liked this restaurant and it's a shame I will be taking it off of my list of places to frequent. Hopefully when this place closes something new and exciting will take it's place.

John B.

I have never thought about a Yelp review as much as I have thought about this one. I should say that I will splurge on a meal, however with three kids, my wife and two jobs, we rarely have time alone to enjoy an establishment like this and tend to be cautious with how much we spend as we prefer to do something for/with our kids, rather than ourselves. Our visit here was a rare celebration of 2 things, one was a late Valentine's Day gift to my wife(this is more of an excuse really) and the other was spending time with each other while not worrying about the kids for a night, something that had not happened in a very long time. My expectations were rather high, as I wanted something special for the both of us. Let me start by saying that despite some items that I will be critical over, I have wholeheartedly given a five star rating. Nothing in the immediate area can even come close. The Chef takes great care in the preparation of his craft and every bite will remind you of this. We chose to have an 8 course meal with wine. I won't go into great detail over every dish as they change and I do not want to set a specific expectation. All I will say is that you will not be disappointed. Your expectations should be for perfectly prepared selections, with flavorful accompaniments. The dishes are not overly complicated or attempting to break new ground such as MOTO does. They are focused on rich flavors and perfect execution. Anyone would be comfortable with the flavors and enjoy the experience. My rating is based on the food, with less focus on following, since I do not wish for it to dissuade anyone from going. I am a service oriented person, the Chef has said himself in a Chicago Tribune article "I don't believe in ninja service, they come up to the table and disappear so quick you don't even know who was there. I'd rather go up and talk to you, make sure you're comfortable." I could not agree more. That said, I cannot help but feel that the front of the house training is not a priority here. The staff was very friendly/non-pretentious and I do want to feel like family, but keep in mind we are paying to get away from normal life and day to day challenges. I am here to experience something I cannot readily do everyday, it would not be special otherwise. I simply do not want a running dialog on everything the staff is thinking, every problem they have, every action they take and why they are doing it, because in the end, I am not your family, I am a Guest that is there to forget about life if only for a moment and focus on in my case, the love of my life who is sitting across from me and whom rarely ever I get to connect with properly. In my opinion, great staff will talk with you and are very much a huge part of the experience, by talking about the food, recommending good wine, giving insights to the sourcing of food and the cooking process, as well as answering questions. But it needs to stop there. Throughout the night we learned more about the problems of the servers, all be it one more than the other, than I really cared to. In looking around the room, I got the impression that others felt the same way. Given the overall acoustics, it is rather easy to hear nearby conversation (not in an obtrusive way, but you can hear people talk). If there is a challenge, the solution should come without the guest knowing there was a challenge to begin with. I do not require an explanation, if I never know an issue existed in the first place. This is not an issue with the staff themselves, they are very friendly and nice folks, I feel they have just never been trained on high level service standards. I'm having a moment of sounding like a snob and let me tell you I am far from it, so I apologize for that, I just enjoy being made to feel special when the occasion is special and think that spending around $300 on a nice dinner is sufficient regardless of you knowing/not knowing why I'm there. We just felt more like house guests rather than a high end restaurant guests. Here are a few front of the house items that made us feel that it needs some attention. Paper covers on every table. Not lighting the table candles in advance of the guests, the constant clicking of the lighter all night was really annoying. Not changing the silverware throughout the 8 course meal (maybe once would be nice even). Missing paint on the ceiling where a light used to be. A dirty clipboard/A clipboard for the wine list. No beer/cocktail list provided. Stacking dirty dishes on the table before clearing. Removing one guests plate before both guests were finished with the dish. That said, there were very good moments and our main server was very attentive. Ultimately, Go! Just read what I have said and expect that. To be clear, no one was rude, the staff was nice, the food superb and we very much enjoyed our night!

Hilary H.

Incredible. Fantastic. Radical, DUDE! Really, I have no idea what else to say. This place is GOOD. DAMN good. ohemgee. My sister took me here for my birthday, we've both been wanting to go for quite awhile. We decided on the tasting menu - the $65.00 per may seem daunting if you're not an amateur foodie as the two of us, but let me assure you, it is WORTH IT. Each and every penny. The first course was a baby arugula salad, buttery & yummy as all salads of this variety should be. Great palate cleanser to start. Course #2 was a beet soup - something I would never dream of ordering normally, but tasting menus don't always give choice, so to the table it came. It was neon red, and I was nervous. BUT THEN, I put it in my mouth (haha). And OH man, wonderful. It was carroty, earthy, buttery, yumminess. The bacon at the bottom was a great treat, too. Halfway for our Third course, we were served Escolar. Honestly, I didn't know WTF that was until I googled at the table. Deerrrr. Anyway, shoulda known, fish course. Now, I cannot stand/hate/despise/eeeew seafood. It's either rubbery, or dry, or tastes/smells like rotten crotch. This fish? To. DIE. for. Light crunch outside, tender inside. Had the RIGHT kind of fish taste, clean yet salty. If I was told I had to each fish every day for the rest of my life, THIS dish is it. On to #4 - braised short rib over goat cheese truffle mash. I was not intrigued at the menu listing, seemed ho-hum, but now I will remember to never overlook the traditional done well. The meat was melty, smooth, tender, beauty. Paired with the mash, I almost cried at the flavor profile. No, really. I NEARLY CRIED. Over food, yes. But trust you, there is a chance you will do the same at this place. Final course, dessert, has 3 options- molten cake (been there, done that), vegan cake wtih berries (kthnx no bye), and S'more Creme brulee with homemade graham cracker. Do I even NEED to review this one? Didn't think so. I will say courses 2-4 were my FAVES, not that 1 & 5 weren't also great, but because the level of cuisine was SO high. This joint is going to be TOUGH to top, both on my palette and most others. GO HERE NOW.

TB H.

Let's start the evening with a cocktail. The Old Fashion is done lovely. Ask for the "special cherries". The lobster bisque was fantastic. The broth was flavorful, seasoned nicely not overly salty, might actually be best I have had. The skate was nicely done took an average not well known fish and elevated it so another level. The beef course was over done and a bit disappointing. The dessert was delicious but I'm over the chocolate cake with molten chocolate center. It was delicious. but not innovative or new. You can get that at Chili's.

Eric S.

Thought the dining experience might be a bit pretentious but were pleasantly surprised by the warm greeting, attentive service and delicious food. We went before a show at the Paramount Theater and had the 3-course meal. Nice dining experience. We'll be back.

Chris M.

Went here with my Wife for Valentine's day and it was very bad. Place was not put together for a nice restaurant! Was more like a hack job where we had to wait for table service even though there was no one in the restaurant, and they set up our table with us waiting right next to it! They also had a special menu that was not good. We didn't finish our food. Also we ordered some martinis and I had to get a different one because the Gin tasted old and sour. Thought they made it wrong so got another one, and it was bad as well. Said to waitress that I didn't like it could I get another, they didn't take it off my check made me pay for it. Didn't bitch or anything because was more about my Wife having a good time but wouldn't go there again. Could hear them yelling at each other in the back kitchen from the front of the restaurant. Also when we left they where all hanging out up front having cocktails, well 3 of the staff that is. Had a bad experience there for such an expensive place. Was more like going to a dive bar or something. Even the desert tasted dried out like the made it the day before and left it to get a little stale.Shoulda went to Two Brothers instead if we wanted to stay in Aurora. If not go to Napervile! Check out Charles W. review below me....this is how it was in better detail!

Ozzie T.

Chef Amaury is quite delusional about his food quality & food operation execution. The meals & food are way overpriced & I finds Chef Amaury's justifications, explanations, excuses & oversharing a bit troubling & to try & gain credibility. I met with Chef Amaury for a group dinner which he priced insanely ridiculous for fruit, cheese & meats & wine?!? Ridiculous!!! I booked my event at a local owners restaurant & got a full course meal for half of what Chef Amaury proposed. I give him one star for providing an possibility to experience something beyond a 2-3 start experience in Aurora, but this place is hit & miss bipolar. The establishment has a bit of a pretentious following that thinks they know a thing or two about fine wine, fine dining & food snobbery, but that's it. Stop in for a glass of wine & gamble on on some food, but I've given this place 3 times to hit the mark and it just doesn't happen in all areas. If I'm totally sick of the lack of the restaurant & bar scene in Aurora, I'll stop in for a glass of their adequate wine selection & questionable appetizers & cuisine for the night. Good luck with the unicorn search for fine dining in Aurora.

Kelly W.

After a very disappointing first visit here, I went with a local friend who insisted I should give it another shot. I thought the food was okay (I'm being generous, my friend liked it far better than me), not great and not terrible but average for what you should expect for such high prices. I was surprised by the decor and ambiance...very poor in my opinion. It surprised me because the restaurant is located in a blighted downtown Aurora so one would think you should have to overcome the area with an incredible ambiance inside. Service was very poor the first time, better the second time, but it seems there are customers who have low expectations because they are so desperate to say they have fine dining in downtown Aurora. For those not familiar, Aurora is run by a very corrupt mayor who has repeatedly failed with economic development and rewards contributors with contracts. It's a small town even though the population is second largest in Illinois. So, I thought about giving Chef Amaury 2 stars to be nice but then I heard him trashing people who criticize him and other bizarre statements. This was all before I read the reviews on Yelp where it's clear there is a massive ego problem. I don't wish the guy bad but when you locate in an area like downtown Aurora under the current business climate, it means you are likely trying to cut costs and corners. That's great for fast food, not fine dining. He should try locating in a competitive area and see if he can survive. If not, maybe he's an okay chef but not so good businessman.

Gary S.

Wonderful experience with both service and food. No course in the many course meal was not excellent. Scallops were my favorite

Kath M.

First off, let me say that the food was AWESOME. But before we even ordered any, our server experience was not good. We had a reservation for 4, but the staff seemed surprised that we were there and scrambled to set up our table. Then, our waiter came to the table, did not introduce himself, and when my husband attempted to small talk and asked how he was doing (he didnt ask us), he said, "fine I guess, just too busy"! WHAT? We'd heard so much about this place, the level of service, the food, and THESE were the first words we were greeted with? Not to mention that the place wasnt even busy, at 7:30. That was the tone of the whole meal...we ordered the cheese plate to start, he set it down and started to walk away, and we asked if he could tell us what was on the board, and he was put out. THEN we got no bread, and had to ask twice . Took 10 minutes, while we sat and looked at the cheese. Finally, when we complimented th fish I'd ordered and asked where it had come from, he did give us the story. We were just sort of taken aback. Seemed more like the service you'd get at Applebees from an emo teenager, not a fine dining experience. Again, the food was really good. Everyone liked everything they ordered. Wine list is great with lots of inexpensive options. Sadly, the waiter (we found out his name was Jon, or at least thats what it said on our check) made a 4-5 star experience more of a 3. Will probably give it a second chance, based on all of the good reviews, AND the really good food.

P B.

Took the wife last night and our experience was great. Brett the bartender/server really knows his beer. Great service, especially considering he was making everyone's drinks as well as serving. We had the tasting menu, I thought the dishes had a nice flow. Everything was really well balanced. The butternut squash soup is out of this world. I will be putting forth all my efforts to try and re - create this at home. The cod was good as well, the gentle heat from the Spanish chorizo was a nice touch. The braised beef was tender, and the sauce with the sweet potato mash worked really well together. I had the molten chocolate as others have. It was not molten, but it was really moist and the chocolate cake itself had good flavor. Dessert took longer than the other courses, but it gave us time to order an espresso to help wake our senses from the ensuing food coma. All things considered, we enjoyed ourselves too much not to give amaury's 5 stars.

Lochin S.

five stars for the food. tonight will be our third wine or beer dinner evening. At first these dinners threw me off, I hate being late so got there early. so we stand around forever, nothing in hand waiting for the event to start. we sit (at long communal table) and the education talk starts, more waiting and then food, no wine. once you get our entree, you cant start to eat because the rest of the table does not have thier food yet. it was pretty strange. so now we know what to expect. CHEF AMAURY, YOU HAVE TRAINED US TO BE LATE. so now, third time, we say "why be on time, they never start on time". start on time and your customers will respect you and they will be on time. I have recommeded ths place to many of my friends and I would return again and again. They have a cozy bar with a good selection of brown spirts, and the staff takes the time to engage you. I wish it was closer to home, no maybe not because I would be here all the time.

Susanne D.

I just realized I've never written a review for Amaury! I hope the punishment I receive isn't nearly as bad as the one that should be doled out to Mark P for giving a one-star rating below. Is he out of his mind??? Chef Amaury 33 West is the dining crown jewel of Aurora's recharging downtown area... with regard to quality and creativity, the restaurant belongs in Chicago proper alongside the likes of Purple Pig. Food is locally sourced, innovative and always delicious! The wine list isn't extensive, but has a broad array of offerings -- all of which are minimally marked up (unlike it's fancy counterparts in the fine dining world that love to price gouge in this area) You can choose the kind of dining experience you want to have here, too, which is really nice. There are amazing prefixe menus, you can order ala carte or you can sit in the lounge with a cheese plate and wine. Very chill and laid back. If you have the opportunity to enjoy a conversation with Chef Amaury (and/or his beautiful better half, Trisha) you'll see clearly the passion that this place was built upon. He oozes excitement about the growth of downtown Aurora and the food he creates...it's contagious. It's really a shame that more people don't know about this place, but that will likely change as word spreads...and this Naperville magazine article drops. napervillemagazine.com/?… All hail 33 West! So glad I discovered you in 2011!

Amy V.

Amazing food!! I was in love with the roast corn chowder soup with lime and chorizo. Oh my god, it was delicious! The food and drinks did not disappoint at all! The location was in Aurora, which isn't my favorite neighborhood, but it's ok. The inside of the restaurant was old fashioned looking with the exposed brick, open bar and jazz type decorations. Our server was very informative and helpful. Chef Amaury and his wife came to our table to check up on us to see how everything was going and I thought that was a very nice touch.

Cliff S.

Kevin B.

Michael D.

Matthew W.

Chris H.

Colleen M.

Mark J.

Hector C.

George S.

Kate P.

I had a really blah experience at Amaury's a few months ago, and I think that it deserves an update in my rating. We went back right before his downtown Aurora 33 West Trattoria opened (a few months before the main restaurant moved to the downtown location). The menu was almost an exact replica of the one we had on our very first visit. I was hoping for something a little new. The execution wasn't as tight as it had been on our other visits to the restaurant, and the few menu differences between our first visit and our most recent one were not favorable. The dessert was particularly disappointing. This was also the first time when Chef Amaury didn't check in during or after most of the courses to make sure that we were enjoying the meal. That was too bad, since this was the first time that I ever had cuisine that wasn't outstanding. The kicker, though, was the atmosphere. I haven't been to Amaury's new digs in downtown Aurora, but the original restaurant was very intimate and cozy. For the most part, the diners keep to themselves. During a wine dinner, there was a bit more interaction between the tables, but in a very pleasant way. On my last visit, there was a table of really obnoxious people. They weren't drunk, they were just loud. And pretentious. And LOUD. From across the restaurant, I could hear every ridiculous opinion that man had about the restaurant business, specific restaurants in the Aurora-Naperville area, wine, beer, and music. After their desserts were finished, I was hoping they would leave. Unfortunately, finishing dessert merely freed up the man's two dinner companions so they could offer their own commentary on each of the subjects he discussed. I toyed with mentioning to Chef Amaury that they were really interfering with my experience so that he would ask them to lower the volume a bit. I'm sort of glad I didn't have the stones to do so, though, as the Chef sat down with them to chat during our last two courses. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. We stopped elsewhere for dessert on the way home. I'm really hoping that we were there on an off night, and that the opening of the new restaurant was impacting the quality of the experience. I will definitely check out the new restaurant downtown to give them another chance!

Jorge G. M.

My wife and I have been joined by friends now for over a half-dozen wonderful dinners at this outstanding and dependable restaurant. Not only is there a good variety of appetizers and entrees but each is skillfully, inventively prepared and presented. The four-to-six of us dinning together normally order a variety of items and exchange tasting portions. Yesterday evening the four of us, at a table outside in the back, shared a good bottle of wine (New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc) and ordered steak, pasta, pork chop and salmon, each served with a wonderful complementary side. After tasting we remarked that, even though a wide range of tastes, we each enjoyed everything we tried. This restaurant is highly recommended - you won't be disappointed!

Richard F.

2nd time to dine at this new Aurora Restaurant Row hidden gem! Fantastic fixed priced menu, 5 courses $65. Only the finest locally accessed ingredients, great wine pairings. The Chef personally visited our table 3 times during the presentation to check on the courses. What a find for the Fox Valley, especially the new Aurora Restaurant Row area on West New York Street. Each time I have gone I have been more impressed! Try it, you won't regret it.

Pati F.

This restaurant was amazing...in downtown Aurora! I felt like I was in Italy. The freshest ingredients, outstanding service and wine list. It's worth a trip from the city...enjoy.

pbarp M.

We went here on a slow Friday night and tried the five course dinner menu. We relished every single bite - the salad, the tasty celery root soup, the excellent red snapper with carrot puree, the duck breast with squash puree (also the braised veal with the chevre mashed potato) and the molten chocolate cake (also the goat cheese cake). This restaurant gets 5-stars for the incredibly great tasting food and the attentive service. We recommend the five course dinner, and we definitely will come back to this place soon.

margo f.

Went on a Friday night with my husband and I have to say that we loved it! Came here on the recommendations of Yelp and once again fellow Yelpers, you have chosen a winner. Everything was cooked perfectly and came out to us immediately. This is such an amazing, intimate restaurant that serves such incredibly delicious, and concise food. As other reviewers have mentioned, this restaurant is in a very unassuming location. ( It is easy to pass by this small place unless you are searching for it!) But it is so worth the effort. This restaurant isn't just a meal, it is an experience ...one you will talk about to friends and coworkers on Monday morning because you just can't forget about what an incredible meal you had. And honestly, how often does that happen?. Chef came by personally to our table to introduce himself and to talk about the menu for the night. We chose the five course meal and loved it. I think that one of our favorite items was a sweet corn chowder with drizzled cilantro oil. In Chef Amaury's hands this humble dish is elevated to Top Chef quality. Speaking of Top Chef, if you are a fan of the show, you will love this restaurant! Some of the same terms, methods, and dishes that you've seen on the show are also featured at Chef Amaury's. Very fun! Pricewise, I think that some people may experience a bit of sticker shock, but if you are a reader of Gourmet magazine, a watcher of Top Chef, and can appreciate cooking as an art, then Chef Amaury's is the restaurant for you. Quality and precision come at a price and it is worth it!

Kevin B.

Most amazing Meal and Service. The Chef took the time to come to every table and greet the desk and get feedback. This is a must for Naperville. Did I mention the Service....A must in South Naperville. We wish you continued success...

Hector C.

By far the best fine restaurant in Aurora. Must visit for any out of toweners and locals. Best service in town and the food is excellent. Thank you for opening this restaurant, it gives me great hope for the rest of the downtown area. Best 5 course meals in the west burbs

George S.

After 5 visits, I must say Chef Amaury offers a great menu, attentive service and the nicest food for many miles around.

Rick N.

Excellent experience the food was outstanding, the service was top notch and they don't mark up their wine. Loved it!!!

Mike M.

My wife and I don't get out for a nice dinner very often. Last time was two years ago, so wee made some birthday reservations at Amaury's. Now downtown Aurora has some restaurants, but nothing even compares. This is a Chicago caliber dining experience. The setting is nice, the ingredients are fresh and the price is a bit higher than your standard Aurora eatery. These are all compliments because the food was great. I have been wanting to check out this place since it was in a strip mall behind Ponderosa. We went for the tasting menu. We started with a poached pear salad. It had a little dab of honey and blue cheese. It was a nice sweet/stinky balance. Next was this butternut squash soup that was awesome. I could have eaten four bowls of this stuff. It had this Spanish chorizo "jerky" in it that was awesome. Third was a striped bass that was good but not great. It had a little vanilla taste to it and it put me off. That could be me because I really do not like vanilla in any other form than ice cream. Next I had the lamb with farro, blueberries, and English peas. This was amazing. it was cooked rare and if there weren't other people around I would have chewed every bite of meat off of the bones. Lets be honest, I did gnaw the bones a bit. My wife went for the NY strip with a truffle goat cheese mash and wild mushrooms. This was pretty amazing also. We finished up with a concord grape tart with peanut butter ice cream and an apple napoleon. They were good, but a little on the sweet side after such a rich and savory meal. Chef Amaury's is a great find dining experience in Aurora. Personally, I was a little intimidated by the "Epicurean Affair" and the tasting menu. Once you get there the staff was good, the menu was great and we had a really nice time. I can't wait until we have a time away from the kids to go back.

Matthew W.

You really should receive the email response from the Chef on my blog at talesfromtheroad-mwalno.… Rating 8.2 630-375-0426 It is hidden in a strip mall across from the Aurora Post Office (east of it). Very intimate, but when we went on a Friday night there were only 2 other couples there. We had a party of 6, and it would probably seat 20 at the most. I have driven by the place many times and never knew it was there. We went with our Chef neighbors who knew the chef. What is an Epicurean Affair???????????? It was pretty good although I did not like beer price of $10 per!!!!!!! We had the six course meal for $65 each - first course was some little thing, second was some carrot soup/something else that was pretty good, third was halibut - which I LOVED, fourth was a steak (I didn't eat since it was Good Friday), fifth was cheese plate (very good) and last was desert (I had the chocolate explosion and it was little like at the trump, but very good). Chef was there and introduced the menu and thanked us for dining there (that was a great touch), but then I am not sure what he did. I don't think he cooked (the kitchen is open, its like eating in someones home), and our Chef's said the kids cooking had worked there for years. The Chef/owner also teaches at some local colleges. Service was very good (it should be with no one there), and his wife is one of the waitresses. Katie would go back for sure, I think I would. I heard the depressing news that my FAVORITE place closed (Capri) and Chef Amaury is thinking of taking that space. Won't work if he keeps his menu the same. 6 Dinner - Five course $390.00 2 Rhone - Cotes Delas 64.00 2 Cabernet - Conn Creek 80.00 5 Beer - Erdinger Hefe 50.00 (this is me, a great beer, but $10 PLEASE) Tip 116.80 (automatic for parties of six) Total $759.20

Michael D.

My friend and I had dinner there last night during a WInter snow storm to celebrate another successful one week seminar that we give this time of year. We were the only diners in the dining room although there were a few imbibers at the bar. The food and the service were very enjoyable. My friend had the pork tenderloin and I had the wild mushroom, root vegetable, and shrimp risotto. We preceded this with the cheese and meat appetizer plate with a glass of wine. My friend had the brulée dessert. The ambience is very warm and this was enhanced by the snow falling outside the window in front of which we were seated to watch it fall. We commented to each other at the taste of each new dish that the food is very good. The chef came out to greet us and told of using as many organic ingredients as locally procured as he can. He spoke of local sources of vegetables, including greens during the Winter, and pastured poultry and other meats. The chef is clearly current with the times and I encourage his continued search for local ingredients. The prices were quite reasonable, so I am wondering why the $$$$ in the profile. The $ assessment is silly unless it is for restaurants in the same class. My risotto dish was $17. A glass of a French white was $8 and our bottle of a Qupe Syrah was $30. Both are reasonable. I give them 4 stars because I seldom give anyone 5 stars unless they set the bar for a cuisine. The two recommendations which we gave them and I reiterate here are to have the cheese closer to room temperature on serving, and to lower the salt in the dish, giving the diners the option of adding salt if they chose. A little, more or less depending on the dish, salt is needed for flavor but these dishes were salted in the old style. My comment to my friend regarding the wild mushrooms in the risotto was that I would have liked to see more characteristically wild mushrooms of the season but this would be expensive and not local in Illinois in January. The dish was delicious nevertheless. I should note that I am a mushroomer and have high expectations in this regard. Would we go there again? We might when I visit my friend again. He has already asked for reservations for Valentines Day for he and his wife.

Kate R.

I took my family here to celebrate birthdays. We all ordered the prix fixe menu. Chef Amaury himself took 15minutes to walk through the menu with us. The service was impeccable. Our favorite dish was duck, but the fish of the day, opakapaka from Hawaii, was also outstanding. Also, we had some unusual drink requests all of which were graciously accommodated By the batender who looked things up for us. The ambience was very low-key and warm. I felt very at home here. I would recommend this restaurant to all of my friends and family for a special occasion. Outstanding find in Aurora.

Chris H.

I took my wife to dinner at Chef Amaury's for her birthday. I took a leap of faith based on the reviews from my fellow "Yelpers" and was so pleased with the outcome. First of all, make sure you understand that Chef Amaury's is not your typical restaurant experience. You won't be seated by a 17 year old hostess with zero personality, you won't be served the customary bread and butter with water by a bus boy, and you won't have the generic waitstaff service you'd find at your typical establishment. At Chef Amaury's it is a "family" affair. In fact, we were seated by the Chef's wife, Tricia! What you will expect to find at Chef Amaury's is a personalize fine dining experience similar to what you may expect from Trotter's or French Laundry but without the stuffiness. And that my friends is the bonus! Because Chef Amaury will personally review and discuss his menu with you, answer any questions, and explain each course with a passion that really captivates and makes you appreciate his creations even more. What's there to like: 1. Chef sources most of his ingredients from local farms 2. Chef's ingredients are 70-80% organic...i.e. no hormones in the beef/chicken/game and wild shellfish and fish! 3. The wine list! There are no wines by the glass but they do offer half bottles. And Chef does not mark up his wines so you don't pay the 50% mark up you may find elsewhere. 4. Personal attention to detail. Each of the 5 courses has been meticulously created. The fusion of flavors and ingredients is where Chef Amaury's skills rival those of some of the greats! He definitely knows his stuff. 5. The atmosphere - It's not stuffy and stiff. You don't feel like you're "unqualified" to be eating such decadent creations. Chef and his wife Tricia really go out of their way to make sure you get the most of your dining experience. What I didn't like: (There really isn't anything that I found worth noting here. But for the sake of a solid review I'll name a few things that may help in your decision to check out Chef Amaury's): 1. Option of wine by the glass would be a nice to have so you can pair wines with the different courses. 2. Some may find the location a bit odd. It is, as others say, in a strip mall. But it's really not a big deal in my opinion. It's not in a crowed strip mall where you're competing with minivans and pick-up trucks. It's tucked away in a business park and I really didn't find it to detract from my experience. 3. Keep in mind you will need a solid 3 hours if you really want to enjoy this dinner experience. So if you're pressed for time you may want to reconsider. This is a 5 course prix fixe menu and you'll want to get every ounce of that meal. So it's worth the time investment! 4. Only open for Friday and Saturday night. But again that's not a big deal. Just worth mentioning. Overall I think this is an outstanding find in the western suburbs. Sure it's nice to drive into the city from time to time but to have an establishment like Chef Amaury's here in the Fox Valley is a gem! I've already told some friends of ours and will plan on another visit soon!!

Mark J.

We really, really wanted to like this place. We are huge supporters of downtown Aurora and would love to see it grow, but this was a dining disaster. The service was awful. The host didn't appear to know what to do, and seemed to lose his cool when one of the guests left to go to the bathroom while we were being seated. It took three attempts for the guys to get their drink orders while the ladies were ordering their wine. When we finally did get our waitress, she couldn't tell us what scotch they had . We ordered the cheese plate appetizer and the waitress didn't know what the cheeses were. She tried explaining them off a cheat sheet she carried in her apron and still got them mixed up. One of the diners ordered the prix fix menu and the beef entry was inedible. When we complained, we were told by someone whom we assume was the maitre de that he had tried it and there was nothing wrong with it, but we were of course entitled to our own opinion. He then insinuated that perhaps we didn't know what braised beef was supposed to taste like. To be fair, they did comp us that dish and two glasses of scotch: $13 off a $300 bill. Aside from the wagyu steak (which was delicious) and the cheese plate almost everything was mediocre at best and downright tasteless at worst. The celery root soup had as much flavor as, well.., as a stick of celery. Neither of the two who ordered the salmon thought it was anything spectacular, and and one of the two diners thought it was too salty. The 15 year scotch they sold us was awful. It was nearly clear in color with overtones of turpentine. My initial thought was that they'd accidentally poured well tequila. For our second round we tried to order Glenlivet, but they were out and asked if Chivas Regal would be okay. Seriously? Chivas? The chocolate desert and the creme brulee was passable, but nothing spectacular. Frankly, by that point in the evening we just wanted to get the hell out. This was truly a disappointing dining experience. We'd heard such great things and it's a beautiful space, but the experience turned sour very quickly.

Cliff S.

Amaury's is really the only fine dining in the Naperville area as far as I am concerned. I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. You won't believe that such a memorable dining experience would be located in a small strip on Commons drive in Aurora behind the Fox Valley Mall...do not be fooled. Amaury is a real foodie whose passion for food comes across-- great ingredients prepared to perfection. He gives Charlie Trotter a run for his money!

Eric H.

This is the best kept secret in Naperville. I had heard about this place a few times, but I never got around to trying it. This evening, I had dinner here with a group. And it was amazing. Prix fixe menu. You don't know what you are getting until a few days before you get there. Chef Amary Rosado offers a selection of the highest quality fresh ingredients that he can find from his local organic suppliers. The restaurant is only open to the general public on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are essential. The rest of the week Chef Amaury does private functions. The maximum seating is 26. He typically has no more than 7 tables for dining. The food? I cannot accurately describe the menu. Before the meal we started with a wonderful sampling of exotic cheese and fresh baked bread. Our first course was a puff pastry with a delicate blue cheese and white wine poached pairs, served with a bed of fresh greens and huckleberry and pumpkin seed oil dressing. The soup was a spicy butternut squash with wild boar bacon. We had grilled snapper with mushroom flan and Israeli couscous. This was followed by a grilled wagyu flat-iron steak with tiny potatoes. Desert was molten chocolate cake with freshly made vanilla ice cream. Does that sound good? It was even better than that! I cannot do the menu justice. It was outstanding. The wine list is excellent and priced very fairly. Corkage is $15, but why bother. His prices are $10 to $15 over retail. Plus, you want wine that is paired with your meal. My only negative comments: 1) The place is in a little strip mall next to a dry cleaners and dance studio. The exterior looks like it might be a pizzeria. Aesthetically, it could use some improvement. The interior is cozy, but the exterior does not impress. 2) We had five different wines with our meal, but kept the same glasses. Not such a big deal, but it might have been nice to have a new glass. (Although, with 26 people dining that would mean he needs at least 130 glasses. That's a lot of glasses for such a small place.) 3) The night that we were their the exhaust fan broke and for about 10 minutes the place got a little smoky. Not such a big deal, but it did take away from the experience. The amazing food makes up for any short comings listed above. Every dish was perfect and better than the one before. Service? The service was not typical. We were served by Chef Amaury himself and the kitchen staff. There were no waiters, per se. Service was attentive and good, but different than a typical restaurant. Better, I would say, if you are interested in how your food was prepared. This restaurant is ideal for any special occasion (birthday or anniversary) or for a midweek company function. If you really want to impress a group of clients (with 14 people or more), you need to come here. Plan on $60 per person plus tax, gratuity and wine. Chef Amaury's has made it onto my list of favorite places. I guarantee you will be pleased if you chose to come here.

Teresa B.

The food was phenomenal. We ordered 3 entrees and a salad, and it was all delicious. They are ironing out a few issues (the fans are on the same power line as the lights and music?) But the food does not suffer from any technical difficulties. Would definitely go back.

Tom P.

This is the type of small gourmet restaurant where the chef actually walks to your table and describes everything on that night's menu. Overall, the service, food, and preparation are phenomenal. This is definitely my favorite "fancy" restaurant outside of Chicago. Another nice thing about it is that, for gourmet food, the prices are very good.

Scott C.

My wife Annie and I discovered this place in mid-2008, and have probably been been there 8-10 times since. We often come as a couple, and sit at the bar - we enjoy the additional interaction with Amaury and are actually kind of interested in what his line cooks are doing. As others have attested, this is a special and unique place. The quality and sophistication (without being too extreme or overdone) of the food rivals the finest restaurants in the city. Besides the price - which is a great value for those who appreciate fine dining - two things make Amaury's unique. First, it is the only place I have ever discovered where one can enjoy food of this caliber without the traditional attitude, formality, parade of waitstaff, and stuffy atmosphere that too often accompany fine dining. Second, the passion the chef has for what he does, and the personal touch one receives from him and his family, makes for an intimate and warm experience. If you are frightened by a strip mall and expect the format and ambiance that one typically associates with a high-end restaurant, you might want to rethink coming here. If you want a very different and unique experience with world-class food, however, give it a try.

Dave G.

I have only been there once so far, but will certainly go again. Food was exceptional, cooked by the owner and served by his wife and sister-in-law with additional commentary by the chef. Menu changes almost daily based on chef's whim and what is fresh. It is an unremarkable strip mall outside, but nice inside, rather small so lots of personal attention. Prices on food are high, but justified by the quality. Wine prices are very low for the quality since the chef puts a smaller than average mark-up on each bottle, which means you can afford to drink a wine of similar quality to the dinner.

Misty S.

Fine dining in Aurora? I HAD to come try with my own taste buds. **spoiler alert** They, and my bum, left a bit disappointed. The 8 course tasting menu is $95 and the 4 course is $55. They also offer a 3 course meal between 5p-630p for $42. The décor was cozy and inviting. It was like dining at someone's house. Looking around the restaurant, most of the diners were well dressed, but I spotted a few in jeans. Has the cost of fine dining gone up so high that this restaurant was just a casual place for some? Boy, I need a raise. Then I sat down and noticed it was a wicker chair, not because I'm a chair snob or anything, but because it gave me a splinter! For some reason, I was looking forward to checking out the bathroom, so this seemed like as good a reason as any to go. Disappointment #1 - it was quite ordinary. Or maybe it was #2 since I was expecting a nice comfy soft non-biting chair. Back to the bathroom...the hallway to the bathroom actually reminded me of a scene from The Shining. No fancy sink. No fancy napkins. There was a creepy chair in there. Luckily, I found the splinter lodged in my dress and was able to remove it without further incident. Anyway, who cares about the bathroom, I came for the food. The waiter, I found out, was the son of Chef Amaury himself. He was super nice and helpful. Midway through my meal, I saw the chef talking to a talk of either regulars or friends that he knew. As he walked by our table, it was like a last minute decision that he swung around and stopped to asked how we were doing and how we heard of the restaurant. He was very nice and pleasant. Ok, on to the food. Great craft beer and wine menu. I went with the 4 course tasting menu, which was a wise choice because I was so stuffed I couldn't even finish my meal. The 4 course menu gave the following options: 1st Course -Potato Soup -Baby Greens 2nd Course -Duck -Escolar 3rd Course -Berkshire pork -Beef short rib 4th Course -Chocolate cake -Artisanal cheese -Vegan cheesecake -Vanilla panna cotta The potato soup with cured egg yolk, salmon roe, sour cream, red onion was the most creative and my favorite of the evening. The duck was just ok. The short ribs were good, but not spectacular. The vanilla panna cotta was excellent. It started and ended well, but it lacked that "fine dining" feel.

Marc F.

The place is the definition of dining perfection. Its cozy, everyone is sticky/sweet polite, and the service was over the top perfect. The food was awesome, that was the tasiest and most tender new york strip I ever had. Unique and incredible dessert and coffee topped off the evening. Once again, this was dining perfection in downtown Aurora.

Paul G.

Absolutely amazing food, can be very disorganized and aloof in the restaurant. Food is a 5, Customer service is about a 1.5. We've been there twice and I cannot say enough positive things about the food. Both times we did the tasting menu and couldn't have been more satisfied with what we were food we were served. My problem is with the customer service and it's multi-fold. Our first visit, they were out of several drinks. They said their bartender got out of town and hadn't prepared anything. Several other types of liquor was out of stock as well on a Saturday night. That' no big deal, it happens. However, our initial sever was unable to describe several of the menu items. Luckily we had a second waiter come over who was wonderful and could explain things. However was unable to pair wines with the tasting menu. Luckily Chef Amaury came over and pointed us to a great bottle. The food, especially in regards to the immediate area, is without peer. The second time we went in (4 months later), we ran into the same problem in the bar. Several drinks couldn't be made (same excuse was used) and several ingredients were missing. We also waited (with only about 10 people in the place), almost 20 minutes before anyone asked what we wanted. Again however the food ended up being truly spectacular, but we again ran into problems again with the server not knowing the menu. The food again was superb. The final straw was this last week. We made reservations for my 40th two weeks before the Saturday we were celebrating. We got a call 2 days before the reservation to let us know it couldn't be accommodated. They offered us a seat on a Wednesday and said that's all that they could do. The only apology came in a "Well we're sorry Wednesday doesn't work fo you". When my fiancee fired off a somewhat terse email, they blamed a new reservation system, but no offers to find us another date outside of that Wednesday night or anything else was offered.. As getting a reservation at great place for a Saturday 2 days out is difficult, it pretty much killed the weekend. A friend of mine also had a problem with his credit card being triple charged by them He was initially met with the same aloof attitude from an employee until, on the second phone call, Chef Amaury stepped up and took care of the problem. Even with his involvement, It ended up being a giant pain thought getting the charges reversed and took a week's worth of phone calls to the bank. It's really too bad that stuff like this has to taint what should be one of the gems of the area. The customer service though is so sub par that I won't go back. That makes really a shame because the food is fabulous. I hope they get it together.

Jessica D.

5 course meal was great! Service was grreat.... The chef and his wife were very friendly

Tomi O.

So I have been here before and I will say the food was so delicious that we wanted to come back. However, we made reservations for my birthday for 10 people and it took them over a week to call back to confirm the reservation which was scary when having a "nice night out planned". So we were fully expecting the evening to be a long night tasting & drinking cocktails but wow was the service so slow and bad. To make things worse our waiter was the chefs son, does he not know the menu or how to add a check? We made reservations at 6:30 only an hour or so after the open. When we started ordering drinks and small plates they started telling us how they were out of scallops which is what I really wanted! They served one drink at a time so by the time the last out of 10 received their drink it was time for the first to order again. Ordered cheese plate and cheese was very good but didn't give us plates and there was literally 5 nuts a smear of honey & 3 berries with it ( for $17 really)! The entrees came & those who received beef & short ribs were not dissatisfied plenty of food, but because there were no scallops had to get seafood stew. It was average but left very hungry, when I think stew I think hearty and filling not broth with 2 shrimp, tiny piece of sea bass and 1 scallop. Overall for the bill being as hefty as it was I want to be impressed with service and taste of the food, I was not! We probably will not be back.

Mike M.

Tasting menu is what you want if you're going for 'the experience' - if you're looking to fill your belly you might be happier with an entree. Nice atmosphere, casual, dress up if you want but you won't stand out in jeans. I didn't realize they have a bar, may pop in for a drink sometime soon.

James C.

Gourmet Food in a Suburban Strip Mall??? Yeah, weird. Went out to Chef Amaury's with a group of close friends on a Saturday night. Don't judge a book by it's cover because this place is located in a dingy strip mall and is flanked by both a Citgo and what must be the world's last remaining Ponderosa. The location is a positive for Amaury's because less overhead means unique, delicious, and quality food at a great price. Personally I would eat Thomas Keller's food in a port-o-potty if I could do it at reasonable cost. Maybe that's overstating it a bit. The menu is set up as a 5 course prie frix for $65 and can be downgraded to a 3 course for $20 less. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles without the usual exhorbinant markups. The chef comes out and explains all the items on the menu to you in detail and answers any questions, this is a great personal touch. I felt the wine could have come out a bit quicker as we waited a bit and by the time it was being poured the salad was out. My favorite course was the sablefish over lentils. The fish was cooked perfectly. The sauce and lentils complimented the fish very well without overpowering. The braised short rib was fork tender but I felt it could have used more flavor. All in all the food was delicious. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and care in preparation. This place is a great value for a legitimately unique gourmet meal.

Tim R.

I have been many times to Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair many times both in his original location on Commons and new location in downtown Aurora. I admit I am biased in my review because I really like Chef and his family/friend that work there. But that is not the only reason I love this place. Typically chef has a pre-fix menu and individual dishes open. The prix-fix is I salad, soup, fish, meat, dessert. He always picks fresh ingredients and interesting cuts or types of fish. Often he uses his anti-griddle to make a flavored ice-cream butter to flavor a salad or fish. My favorite is the butterscotch medallions. I have never had anything I did not enjoy. My favorites have been salmon, barramundi, venison, and wagyu dishes. Each time they are fun. Chef or his staff take the time to discuss the meal and take care in mixing some interesting flavor combinations. The staff and bar tenders are friendly and keep trying different things. There is a good and growing variety of drinks, beers and wines, and they are reasonable in price and vary in styles for all types. I miss the old place, but I enjoy the new location even more. Like its surrounding downtown Aurora location, the location is on the rise and has character and charm. We love sitting outside weather permitting, but inside it is comfortable. We have had meals well dressed up as well as in jeans. We go for the prix-fix some days, or a salad and cheese plate others. (I love his cheese selections). I had attended corporate functions for lunch and dinner there, and I have used Amaury's as the location for my events several times and it was always a hit. For the price, this place is the pound for pound champ in the area for my book. In a world of chains or stuffy high end places, this place has great food prepared and served by nice peopl

Silvia F.

My husband and I love this place. The restaurant is very intimate. The server was extremely knowledgeable about each dish. The ingredients are from local growers. The fusion of ingredients (from local growers) was surprising but delicious. We went for a special dinner and drink and thoroughly enjoyed it. We've been back a few times for appetizers and drinks.

Howard L.

We found Chef Amaury's on a list of fine dining restaurants in and around the western suburbs. This is a prix fixe menu. The food was excellent, and served by Chef Amaury himself, and his wife Tricia. This is in the category of a special occasion restaurant, as it will cost about $60 per person, but you will not be disappointed in the food or the unique dining experience - the food and presentation of formal, fine dining but in an intimate, yet casual environment. With interesting presentations and tastiness for the appetizer, soup, entrees, and dessert, our meal lasted about 2 and a half hours, but we enjoyed watching Chef Amaury go back to the visible kitchen area and prepare the next course while we were working on the current course. Restaurant setting is very intimate and Chef Amaury is very approachable (actually he approaches you), casual, and down to earth. Don't be surprised by the strip mall location or unimpressive exterior - we've never let appearance interfere with a restaurant's reputation, and it was well earned in this case. Reservation is a must.

Christina H.

This wonderful, beautiful place does not offer dining. It offers an experience. The staff (more like friends) engage you with their expansive knowledge of the food, the drink, and everything in between, including other local fare and happenings. This is an upscale place for special experiences that remains humble and true: Be good to your guests.. I have been there for a casual Tuesday night small plate situation (reasonably priced), a few fantastic special dinners that will remain memorable for years to come (Wednesday night food and drink pairings), and special nights out where I have my pick of anywhere I want to go. I always choose Amuary's. I must give a special thank you to Jon. When you go, you will most likely be fortunate enough to meet him and be completely engaged by his knowledge, passion, and appreciation of all things tasty and complex. He REALLY knows his stuff and it is a delight and pleasure to receive a well-thought-out cocktail from him. Best Berkshire Pork in life. Shrimp with black beans was ridiculously delicious. Cheese plate is best value. Chef's soup creation never disappoints. Come to this wonderful experience!! You will be SO satisfied that you did!

Walt B.

Aurora is not known for great dining. But it certainly should be. Chef Amaury Rosado has created a "Chicago-class" dining experience and anyone in the Western Burbs that loves good food prepared well and served in a friendly almost family atmosphere should come and eat at Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair. One of the biggest differences between Chef Amaury's and the Chicago restaurants is cost...the big fancy places in Chicago are more than three times the cost of dinner at Amaury's -- not to say that Amaury's is cheap...dinner for two, with drinks and wine (Amaury has an excellent wine list with really good wines from California and Chile and Australia among others)-- sets me back around $150 when I go there. It is the only reason I don't eat there more often. Amaury has a great "beer list" and an inventive wine list (where else can you get Benziger wines?). His menu changes with the seasons, and all the food is locally grown organics, except for the meats, which can come from places like Alaska for fish, and Montana for beef. His meats are naturally grown, not feedlot produced, and the tastes show. He makes a couple of duck dishes that I love-- and I hate duck. Now that the Paramount Theater in Aurora (about a block away) is doing a "Broadway at the Paramount" series, a lot of people do theater and dinner at Amaury's. I ate there last Saturday night on my way to see "A Chorus Line" and the place was jammed-- we had to eat at the bar. This is really a great restaurant. It is the equal of any in St Charles or Geneva or Naperville in the burbs, and compares well with many restaurants in downtown Chicago. Go eat there.

Pascal M.

Anyone who rates this place less than 4 stars is a fool. Amaury is an inspiration for any entreprenuer. For what he has been able to accomplish in suburbs, is utterly remarkable. He provides close to fine dining cusines at approachabel prices.His food is fantastic, the menu is always changing, and does a superb job at treating his customers like royalty. This is a perfect date spot, first or 1000th. Try this place as soon as you can.

Kenny A.

Great food and atmosphere. I like having dinner in the bar. Staff is very friendly and always makes for good conversation.

Arlene C.

Another great meal! Adults loved the cheese and salumi (kids ate the bread). Adults loved the lamb and the squash ravioli entrees, kids split the ocean trout. My 4 year old proclaimed "this is the best fish I've ever had" while our 6 year old finished hers and waited for the opportunity to compliment Amaury in person. Their highlight was the molten chocolate cake. They even slept the whole way home. Great meal, atmosphere and craft beer list!!!

A M.

Great Dinner. Great place for a night out.

Tomi O.

So I have been here before and I will say the food was so delicious that we wanted to come back. However, we made reservations for my birthday for 10 people and it took them over a week to call back to confirm the reservation which was scary when having a "nice night out planned". So we were fully expecting the evening to be a long night tasting & drinking cocktails but wow was the service so slow and bad. To make things worse our waiter was the chefs son, does he not know the menu or how to add a check? We made reservations at 6:30 only an hour or so after the open. When we started ordering drinks and small plates they started telling us how they were out of scallops which is what I really wanted! They served one drink at a time so by the time the last out of 10 received their drink it was time for the first to order again. Ordered cheese plate and cheese was very good but didn't give us plates and there was literally 5 nuts a smear of honey & 3 berries with it ( for $17 really)! The entrees came & those who received beef & short ribs were not dissatisfied plenty of food, but because there were no scallops had to get seafood stew. It was average but left very hungry, when I think stew I think hearty and filling not broth with 2 shrimp, tiny piece of sea bass and 1 scallop. Overall for the bill being as hefty as it was I want to be impressed with service and taste of the food, I was not! We probably will not be back.

Mike M.

Tasting menu is what you want if you're going for 'the experience' - if you're looking to fill your belly you might be happier with an entree. Nice atmosphere, casual, dress up if you want but you won't stand out in jeans. I didn't realize they have a bar, may pop in for a drink sometime soon.

Silvia F.

My husband and I love this place. The restaurant is very intimate. The server was extremely knowledgeable about each dish. The ingredients are from local growers. The fusion of ingredients (from local growers) was surprising but delicious. We went for a special dinner and drink and thoroughly enjoyed it. We've been back a few times for appetizers and drinks.

Marc F.

The place is the definition of dining perfection. Its cozy, everyone is sticky/sweet polite, and the service was over the top perfect. The food was awesome, that was the tasiest and most tender new york strip I ever had. Unique and incredible dessert and coffee topped off the evening. Once again, this was dining perfection in downtown Aurora.

Katharine W.

What a delight! A perfect location to eat before a show at the Paramount Theater. Ample free parking is available in the lots behind the restaurant and it is within walking distance to the theater. We had the 5 course meal which was fabulous--every course!--and well spaced. The staff was knowledgeable and did a wonderful job making us feel welcome. Will return!

Hayley H.

I went with Hilary, see the review below back in January, though regretfully have not yet been back! She hit it on the head when she wrote it was WORTH it! THe tasting menu was fun and delish and the service was elevated. Truly a nice, white tablecloth kind of dinner. The room, with its exposed brick, lends to a past time in downtown Aurora. When fancy was the norm...

Patrick H.

I want to preface this review with, I've only ever been here for events. So, I don't know what happens normally. I found this place to be very hot in the summer. I don't know if they have AC. It's so hot. The bar is very cool looking, but the menu was very limited. The food seemed extremely over priced, and they cut off the kitchen at some point at night. So, if you get there after that you'll just be getting drinks. The server didn't seem like he even wanted to talk to me. Let alone take my order. There are literally only 2 other businesses on their side of the street. Every other business has up and left. Leaving downtown Aurora looking almost deserted, minus BallyDoyle's and the Casino. I think this place has it's fans.... and they frequent the place enought to keep it going. But unless there is something going on it never looks lively. And the seating is horrible.

Anne E.

Chef Amaury is not only a great, innovative chef, he's a delight too. At his restaurant, he personally greets and chats with the patrons. The man can work the room. And he LOVES to talk food. Speaking of food... We have eaten at this restaurant five or more times. It is consistently well done. The menu changes and farm to table ingredients are common. Pre fixe menu is typical. Salad, soup (always a highlight for us), fish (always good), meat course, and of course - dessert! The vegan cheesecake is exceptional (and we're not vegan). The Venezuelan chocolate lava cake seems to be his specialty for dessert and it is very good. Ambiance is exceptional here. It's cozy and inviting. This is the perfect date restaurant. Local artists' creations adorn the walls and the bar area is lovely. The bartenders know what they're doing and they're supremely attentive. This restaurant is a BARGAIN. $65 for a pre fixe menu of this caliber is outstandingly affordable. The wine list isn't over priced and there are great selections. This restaurant is walking distance to the Paramount theater. Go here for dinner before or after a show. Or, just to enjoy a cocktail. Amaury, if he's there, will surely chat you up. We love this place.

Lindsey G.

Wonderful, unpretentious experience. Our server was phenomenal, not to mention the food was absolutely perfect. We had the 3 course Paramount Theater special, which was plenty of food, especially for $42/person. The braised short ribs were spectacular! I'm 9 months pregnant so was unable to have any alcohol, but my husband loved his (two) old fashioneds. We will definitely be back.

Charles W.

Bitter. That is one word describing our most recent experience here. We received an email announcing a truffle-themed dinner a few nights later and organized a group of eight. Five courses for $75. One of our group has a dairy allergy,and when the reservation was made we asked if they could accommodate. They said yes they could accommodate and went so far as to explain the substitution for each course. No dairy is no problem...excellent. We arrived and ordered cocktails, which were very good. Craft cocktails take time, so I will not knock the score here for the wait on our drinks. However, the restaurant was sold out for this dinner with 35 reservations (and a wait list for the event), and you have only one bartender who fell behind quickly. For failing to staff correctly, you FAIL. We ordered two additional drinks and received only one...i guess I wasn't thirsty after all...but in the end we did not get charged for the drink so no real harm. After the 35 were seated, Chef came out and talked about the courses we would be served. During his speech, he spoke of some tragic events in his life, which while very sad, were just out of place and seemed very odd. Chef also mentioned that he envisioned a maximum of 20 patrons for this event, but stretched portions and changed things to accommodate 35. Very odd that he even said this as it seems like a money grab in plain terms. Why even say that?!?! First course arrives...salmon. Nice presentation. To this point it has been 20 minutes or so since we had been seated, and we have nothing but water in front of us (and salmon). At no point did either server think to offer us the wine list or another cocktail! We finally had to track her down and get some wine glasses. Luckily I brought a bottle and intended to pay corkage, otherwise we may well have gone thirsty. Sadly, we had to remind the staff of the dairy allergy, as they never asked which person in our party required substitutions. Fail. On every level except the salmon itself. Second course- soup. The staff could not decide whether they would give us soup spoons or if we would be fine using our dessert spoons- yes, this was contemplated in front of us. Fail. We needed to remind the servers of the dairy problem, and they had to exchange the soup. Fail. Soup was good though, but nothing special. Third course- fish. We felt the need to ask the servers again about the dairy issue. They disappeared and came back out and removed the fish presented- sure enough, it contained dairy. Seriously? We need to remind you after each course is presented? It took almost ten minutes for a new dairy-free dish to be made. I will remind you that we asked about this when the reservation was made, and it wasn't going to be a problem. Wrong. EPIC FAILURE ON EVERY LEVEL for a restaurant holding itself out to be a fine dining establishment. Fourth course- steak. Excellent course, though some plates were medium rare and others very rare. Again we had to ask and be certain there was no dairy. Fifth course, a dessert- berry and truffle creme brûlée, and we were told our dairy-free friend would be served fresh berries. Problem- they have no berries. What!?!? Okay, they can make a vegan cheesecake...um, okay. And what of the blueberry and truffle creme brûlée? Soup- for half of us. Thin and watery- epic failure. When the servers finally cleared dessert, i waited until they took all four UNEATEN desserts, at which point I had to tell our server the deserts were bad. He clearly should have noticed and asked. Failure. Their credit card machine was broken so we had to pay via check or cash,obtained from the ATM in the bar across the street. As i walked to the ATM, our friend spoke to Chef, who was now sitting on a sofa in the lounge, chef coat removed. Our friend told chef of the multitude of issues, and not once did chef offer an apology. The sous chef came out as our friend discussed the awful creme brûlée, and the sous explained that they knew some were off because they ran out of yolks. How the hell do you run out of eggs? Truffles yes, but freaking eggs?!?!? And to then knowingly serve a flawed dish???? Unforgivable. I was informed that Chef's feelings were hurt because he received a not-so-favorable review from a Check Please diner. I can see why the review was not good. This was an awful experience. In Chef's "pity speech" he mentioned the recent loss of his father and also the loss of a valued employee...terrible things, but if you are not emotionally stable enough to give an event your best effort, then DON'T DO IT! Those events, while tragic, are no excuse. The Wednesday event was announced on Monday, so you knew damn well that perhaps you weren't ready for this. It felt like it was hastily thrown together and poorly planned. You order ingredients for 20, and then accept 35. Your sous sent flawed plates out of the kitchen, which is on you. Chef Amaury, you failed. Your team failed.

Elizabeth W.

After reading several reviews we decided to give this place a try before attending a production at Paramount Theatre. I was hesitant at first, based on the location, but I'm so glad we went. We had the 4 course meal and it was outstanding. I won't go into all of the food details since the menu changes frequently, but the flavors and presentation were amazing. Service was almost impeccable. The only issues we encountered were: 1. My husband's plate was cleared before I finished the first course. 2. They did not have the first beer my husband ordered in stock (previous posters lamented about drinks not being available). 3. My husband had to ask for his water to be refilled after nearly 20 minutes with an empty glass. These are obviously very minor issues and should not dissuade anyone from dining here. Plus, the food was OUTSTANDING. I have dined all over, including Michelin-starred restaurants, and this place is truly a gem. If for nothing else, go for the food.

Holly L.

Amazing food and cocktails. You need to try one of their beer or wine dinners! Can't wait for the Blood Orange season because the Blood Orange Martini is my fav!

Suburban M.

Went there for my birthday, it was pretty disappointing. Their AC wasn't working properly (or they cheaped out and kept it at 78), it was uncomfortably warm sitting there, which made me not hungry. I ordered wine from a list of only 12 sold by the glass, they didn't have it. I chose a different one, they came back 5 min later and said they only had 1/2 glass of that! By now, it was 20+ min since we were seated. We got passed off to a different server and nothing was communicated in the transfer. Terrible service! They were out of the only soup listed in the menu, and ran out of scallops -1 of only 4 dinner options that weren't an appetizer or dessert. I don't like grouper, so it was either beef stew (not a seasonal dish), their premium steak dish or I could pay $20 for chicken and beans. Bad service, food was good but nothing special, not going back.

Amy V.

Amazing food!! I was in love with the roast corn chowder soup with lime and chorizo. Oh my god, it was delicious! The food and drinks did not disappoint at all! The location was in Aurora, which isn't my favorite neighborhood, but it's ok. The inside of the restaurant was old fashioned looking with the exposed brick, open bar and jazz type decorations. Our server was very informative and helpful. Chef Amaury and his wife came to our table to check up on us to see how everything was going and I thought that was a very nice touch.

Hayley H.

I went with Hilary, see the review below back in January, though regretfully have not yet been back! She hit it on the head when she wrote it was WORTH it! THe tasting menu was fun and delish and the service was elevated. Truly a nice, white tablecloth kind of dinner. The room, with its exposed brick, lends to a past time in downtown Aurora. When fancy was the norm...

Elizabeth W.

After reading several reviews we decided to give this place a try before attending a production at Paramount Theatre. I was hesitant at first, based on the location, but I'm so glad we went. We had the 4 course meal and it was outstanding. I won't go into all of the food details since the menu changes frequently, but the flavors and presentation were amazing. Service was almost impeccable. The only issues we encountered were: 1. My husband's plate was cleared before I finished the first course. 2. They did not have the first beer my husband ordered in stock (previous posters lamented about drinks not being available). 3. My husband had to ask for his water to be refilled after nearly 20 minutes with an empty glass. These are obviously very minor issues and should not dissuade anyone from dining here. Plus, the food was OUTSTANDING. I have dined all over, including Michelin-starred restaurants, and this place is truly a gem. If for nothing else, go for the food.

Holly L.

Amazing food and cocktails. You need to try one of their beer or wine dinners! Can't wait for the Blood Orange season because the Blood Orange Martini is my fav!

John G.

I have been dining at Chef Amaury's since it was at it's old location, so it's been over 5 years. I loved this place and visited several times a year for special occasions such as birthday and anniversary dinners. However the last two times it has been a terrible experience enough that I will not return. On my 2nd to last visit: My steak dish was okay however the pork dish my girlfriend ordered was 50% fat. The chef should have never allowed this out of the kitchen. The chocolate cake for desert was something I would expect to unwrap out of a vending machine... totally ridiculous to even serve such an abomination! I expected much better for a meal for two that was around $150. On my last visit: (8/30/14): I called the day before to talk to Amaury to let him know about my last sub-par dinning experience, inquire about the menu for the next evening and to make reservations for my girlfriend's birthday dinner. He assured me everything would be wonderful and I was excited that they had scallops on the menu. Here's where it all went downhill. 1) It was around 80 degrees and we were sweating just sitting there. 2) Our female server that we had last time as well was not knowledgeable about the menu and slightly annoying. 3) We ordered drinks.... 10 minutes later (no joke) she brought out my wine and said they were out of the wine my girlfriend ordered. 4) She pawned us off to another server after a table of 4 was seated. (Not bad, because the guy was very knowledgeable and good at his job, the only positive of the evening! We felt bad for him... he was covered in sweat beads the entire night!)) 5) In the transfer of servers our soup order was never placed... 20 minutes later we inquired about that.... oops! They were out of the soup on the menu and offered another one in it's place. Not a huge deal. The alternative soup was great when we finally received it. 6) Finally we were served water! Isn't this supposed to happen right away? Even cheap chain restaurants knows this! Since it was so warm in there, we drank our waters very quickly....and then my glass was empty for about 15 minutes until Amaury's wife came around and refilled it. Nice attention to your customers!!! 7) At this point we should have just left, however, there aren't that many choices for upscale dinning in this area, so we decided we would stick it out and make the best of our sauna dinning experience. 8) When ordering, they were out of the scallops!!! Really? There were around three other filled tables there, about 10 people total. There were way more empty tables than filled ones. How are you out of this too??? 9) We ordered the sirloin and the stew. The sirloin was okay, I've made much better myself. The potatoes were very dry and the sauce was just mediocre. This was what I would expect for around $12 at a chain restaurant. The stew was decent and had a great taste.... but it's a stew, not our first choice for a birthday dinner. 10) Not a single thing was done for my girlfriend's birthday! Nothing was even offered to make this disastrous experience more tolerable.... like dessert on the house. Heck, I was at Monterra Grill in Algonquin last night and the waitress came and said she screwed up and placed a fillet order instead of my rib-eye and offered to buy our desserts.... a $16 peace offering. This is what a real restaurant does for its customers! I know Amaury is going to try and defend his restaurant and comment on this review, but there is truly no excusing this experience at a pricey establishment. In summary: I really liked this restaurant and it's a shame I will be taking it off of my list of places to frequent. Hopefully when this place closes something new and exciting will take it's place.

John B.

I have never thought about a Yelp review as much as I have thought about this one. I should say that I will splurge on a meal, however with three kids, my wife and two jobs, we rarely have time alone to enjoy an establishment like this and tend to be cautious with how much we spend as we prefer to do something for/with our kids, rather than ourselves. Our visit here was a rare celebration of 2 things, one was a late Valentine's Day gift to my wife(this is more of an excuse really) and the other was spending time with each other while not worrying about the kids for a night, something that had not happened in a very long time. My expectations were rather high, as I wanted something special for the both of us. Let me start by saying that despite some items that I will be critical over, I have wholeheartedly given a five star rating. Nothing in the immediate area can even come close. The Chef takes great care in the preparation of his craft and every bite will remind you of this. We chose to have an 8 course meal with wine. I won't go into great detail over every dish as they change and I do not want to set a specific expectation. All I will say is that you will not be disappointed. Your expectations should be for perfectly prepared selections, with flavorful accompaniments. The dishes are not overly complicated or attempting to break new ground such as MOTO does. They are focused on rich flavors and perfect execution. Anyone would be comfortable with the flavors and enjoy the experience. My rating is based on the food, with less focus on following, since I do not wish for it to dissuade anyone from going. I am a service oriented person, the Chef has said himself in a Chicago Tribune article "I don't believe in ninja service, they come up to the table and disappear so quick you don't even know who was there. I'd rather go up and talk to you, make sure you're comfortable." I could not agree more. That said, I cannot help but feel that the front of the house training is not a priority here. The staff was very friendly/non-pretentious and I do want to feel like family, but keep in mind we are paying to get away from normal life and day to day challenges. I am here to experience something I cannot readily do everyday, it would not be special otherwise. I simply do not want a running dialog on everything the staff is thinking, every problem they have, every action they take and why they are doing it, because in the end, I am not your family, I am a Guest that is there to forget about life if only for a moment and focus on in my case, the love of my life who is sitting across from me and whom rarely ever I get to connect with properly. In my opinion, great staff will talk with you and are very much a huge part of the experience, by talking about the food, recommending good wine, giving insights to the sourcing of food and the cooking process, as well as answering questions. But it needs to stop there. Throughout the night we learned more about the problems of the servers, all be it one more than the other, than I really cared to. In looking around the room, I got the impression that others felt the same way. Given the overall acoustics, it is rather easy to hear nearby conversation (not in an obtrusive way, but you can hear people talk). If there is a challenge, the solution should come without the guest knowing there was a challenge to begin with. I do not require an explanation, if I never know an issue existed in the first place. This is not an issue with the staff themselves, they are very friendly and nice folks, I feel they have just never been trained on high level service standards. I'm having a moment of sounding like a snob and let me tell you I am far from it, so I apologize for that, I just enjoy being made to feel special when the occasion is special and think that spending around $300 on a nice dinner is sufficient regardless of you knowing/not knowing why I'm there. We just felt more like house guests rather than a high end restaurant guests. Here are a few front of the house items that made us feel that it needs some attention. Paper covers on every table. Not lighting the table candles in advance of the guests, the constant clicking of the lighter all night was really annoying. Not changing the silverware throughout the 8 course meal (maybe once would be nice even). Missing paint on the ceiling where a light used to be. A dirty clipboard/A clipboard for the wine list. No beer/cocktail list provided. Stacking dirty dishes on the table before clearing. Removing one guests plate before both guests were finished with the dish. That said, there were very good moments and our main server was very attentive. Ultimately, Go! Just read what I have said and expect that. To be clear, no one was rude, the staff was nice, the food superb and we very much enjoyed our night!

Eric S.

Thought the dining experience might be a bit pretentious but were pleasantly surprised by the warm greeting, attentive service and delicious food. We went before a show at the Paramount Theater and had the 3-course meal. Nice dining experience. We'll be back.

Hilary H.

Incredible. Fantastic. Radical, DUDE! Really, I have no idea what else to say. This place is GOOD. DAMN good. ohemgee. My sister took me here for my birthday, we've both been wanting to go for quite awhile. We decided on the tasting menu - the $65.00 per may seem daunting if you're not an amateur foodie as the two of us, but let me assure you, it is WORTH IT. Each and every penny. The first course was a baby arugula salad, buttery & yummy as all salads of this variety should be. Great palate cleanser to start. Course #2 was a beet soup - something I would never dream of ordering normally, but tasting menus don't always give choice, so to the table it came. It was neon red, and I was nervous. BUT THEN, I put it in my mouth (haha). And OH man, wonderful. It was carroty, earthy, buttery, yumminess. The bacon at the bottom was a great treat, too. Halfway for our Third course, we were served Escolar. Honestly, I didn't know WTF that was until I googled at the table. Deerrrr. Anyway, shoulda known, fish course. Now, I cannot stand/hate/despise/eeeew seafood. It's either rubbery, or dry, or tastes/smells like rotten crotch. This fish? To. DIE. for. Light crunch outside, tender inside. Had the RIGHT kind of fish taste, clean yet salty. If I was told I had to each fish every day for the rest of my life, THIS dish is it. On to #4 - braised short rib over goat cheese truffle mash. I was not intrigued at the menu listing, seemed ho-hum, but now I will remember to never overlook the traditional done well. The meat was melty, smooth, tender, beauty. Paired with the mash, I almost cried at the flavor profile. No, really. I NEARLY CRIED. Over food, yes. But trust you, there is a chance you will do the same at this place. Final course, dessert, has 3 options- molten cake (been there, done that), vegan cake wtih berries (kthnx no bye), and S'more Creme brulee with homemade graham cracker. Do I even NEED to review this one? Didn't think so. I will say courses 2-4 were my FAVES, not that 1 & 5 weren't also great, but because the level of cuisine was SO high. This joint is going to be TOUGH to top, both on my palette and most others. GO HERE NOW.

Chris M.

Went here with my Wife for Valentine's day and it was very bad. Place was not put together for a nice restaurant! Was more like a hack job where we had to wait for table service even though there was no one in the restaurant, and they set up our table with us waiting right next to it! They also had a special menu that was not good. We didn't finish our food. Also we ordered some martinis and I had to get a different one because the Gin tasted old and sour. Thought they made it wrong so got another one, and it was bad as well. Said to waitress that I didn't like it could I get another, they didn't take it off my check made me pay for it. Didn't bitch or anything because was more about my Wife having a good time but wouldn't go there again. Could hear them yelling at each other in the back kitchen from the front of the restaurant. Also when we left they where all hanging out up front having cocktails, well 3 of the staff that is. Had a bad experience there for such an expensive place. Was more like going to a dive bar or something. Even the desert tasted dried out like the made it the day before and left it to get a little stale.Shoulda went to Two Brothers instead if we wanted to stay in Aurora. If not go to Napervile! Check out Charles W. review below me....this is how it was in better detail!

Kelly W.

After a very disappointing first visit here, I went with a local friend who insisted I should give it another shot. I thought the food was okay (I'm being generous, my friend liked it far better than me), not great and not terrible but average for what you should expect for such high prices. I was surprised by the decor and ambiance...very poor in my opinion. It surprised me because the restaurant is located in a blighted downtown Aurora so one would think you should have to overcome the area with an incredible ambiance inside. Service was very poor the first time, better the second time, but it seems there are customers who have low expectations because they are so desperate to say they have fine dining in downtown Aurora. For those not familiar, Aurora is run by a very corrupt mayor who has repeatedly failed with economic development and rewards contributors with contracts. It's a small town even though the population is second largest in Illinois. So, I thought about giving Chef Amaury 2 stars to be nice but then I heard him trashing people who criticize him and other bizarre statements. This was all before I read the reviews on Yelp where it's clear there is a massive ego problem. I don't wish the guy bad but when you locate in an area like downtown Aurora under the current business climate, it means you are likely trying to cut costs and corners. That's great for fast food, not fine dining. He should try locating in a competitive area and see if he can survive. If not, maybe he's an okay chef but not so good businessman.

Gary S.

Wonderful experience with both service and food. No course in the many course meal was not excellent. Scallops were my favorite

Kath M.

First off, let me say that the food was AWESOME. But before we even ordered any, our server experience was not good. We had a reservation for 4, but the staff seemed surprised that we were there and scrambled to set up our table. Then, our waiter came to the table, did not introduce himself, and when my husband attempted to small talk and asked how he was doing (he didnt ask us), he said, "fine I guess, just too busy"! WHAT? We'd heard so much about this place, the level of service, the food, and THESE were the first words we were greeted with? Not to mention that the place wasnt even busy, at 7:30. That was the tone of the whole meal...we ordered the cheese plate to start, he set it down and started to walk away, and we asked if he could tell us what was on the board, and he was put out. THEN we got no bread, and had to ask twice . Took 10 minutes, while we sat and looked at the cheese. Finally, when we complimented th fish I'd ordered and asked where it had come from, he did give us the story. We were just sort of taken aback. Seemed more like the service you'd get at Applebees from an emo teenager, not a fine dining experience. Again, the food was really good. Everyone liked everything they ordered. Wine list is great with lots of inexpensive options. Sadly, the waiter (we found out his name was Jon, or at least thats what it said on our check) made a 4-5 star experience more of a 3. Will probably give it a second chance, based on all of the good reviews, AND the really good food.

P B.

Took the wife last night and our experience was great. Brett the bartender/server really knows his beer. Great service, especially considering he was making everyone's drinks as well as serving. We had the tasting menu, I thought the dishes had a nice flow. Everything was really well balanced. The butternut squash soup is out of this world. I will be putting forth all my efforts to try and re - create this at home. The cod was good as well, the gentle heat from the Spanish chorizo was a nice touch. The braised beef was tender, and the sauce with the sweet potato mash worked really well together. I had the molten chocolate as others have. It was not molten, but it was really moist and the chocolate cake itself had good flavor. Dessert took longer than the other courses, but it gave us time to order an espresso to help wake our senses from the ensuing food coma. All things considered, we enjoyed ourselves too much not to give amaury's 5 stars.

Lochin S.

five stars for the food. tonight will be our third wine or beer dinner evening. At first these dinners threw me off, I hate being late so got there early. so we stand around forever, nothing in hand waiting for the event to start. we sit (at long communal table) and the education talk starts, more waiting and then food, no wine. once you get our entree, you cant start to eat because the rest of the table does not have thier food yet. it was pretty strange. so now we know what to expect. CHEF AMAURY, YOU HAVE TRAINED US TO BE LATE. so now, third time, we say "why be on time, they never start on time". start on time and your customers will respect you and they will be on time. I have recommeded ths place to many of my friends and I would return again and again. They have a cozy bar with a good selection of brown spirts, and the staff takes the time to engage you. I wish it was closer to home, no maybe not because I would be here all the time.

Susanne D.

I just realized I've never written a review for Amaury! I hope the punishment I receive isn't nearly as bad as the one that should be doled out to Mark P for giving a one-star rating below. Is he out of his mind??? Chef Amaury 33 West is the dining crown jewel of Aurora's recharging downtown area... with regard to quality and creativity, the restaurant belongs in Chicago proper alongside the likes of Purple Pig. Food is locally sourced, innovative and always delicious! The wine list isn't extensive, but has a broad array of offerings -- all of which are minimally marked up (unlike it's fancy counterparts in the fine dining world that love to price gouge in this area) You can choose the kind of dining experience you want to have here, too, which is really nice. There are amazing prefixe menus, you can order ala carte or you can sit in the lounge with a cheese plate and wine. Very chill and laid back. If you have the opportunity to enjoy a conversation with Chef Amaury (and/or his beautiful better half, Trisha) you'll see clearly the passion that this place was built upon. He oozes excitement about the growth of downtown Aurora and the food he creates...it's contagious. It's really a shame that more people don't know about this place, but that will likely change as word spreads...and this Naperville magazine article drops. napervillemagazine.com/?… All hail 33 West! So glad I discovered you in 2011!

Ozzie T.

Chef Amaury is quite delusional about his food quality & food operation execution. The meals & food are way overpriced & I finds Chef Amaury's justifications, explanations, excuses & oversharing a bit troubling & to try & gain credibility. I met with Chef Amaury for a group dinner which he priced insanely ridiculous for fruit, cheese & meats & wine?!? Ridiculous!!! I booked my event at a local owners restaurant & got a full course meal for half of what Chef Amaury proposed. I give him one star for providing an possibility to experience something beyond a 2-3 start experience in Aurora, but this place is hit & miss bipolar. The establishment has a bit of a pretentious following that thinks they know a thing or two about fine wine, fine dining & food snobbery, but that's it. Stop in for a glass of wine & gamble on on some food, but I've given this place 3 times to hit the mark and it just doesn't happen in all areas. If I'm totally sick of the lack of the restaurant & bar scene in Aurora, I'll stop in for a glass of their adequate wine selection & questionable appetizers & cuisine for the night. Good luck with the unicorn search for fine dining in Aurora.

TB H.

Let's start the evening with a cocktail. The Old Fashion is done lovely. Ask for the "special cherries". The lobster bisque was fantastic. The broth was flavorful, seasoned nicely not overly salty, might actually be best I have had. The skate was nicely done took an average not well known fish and elevated it so another level. The beef course was over done and a bit disappointing. The dessert was delicious but I'm over the chocolate cake with molten chocolate center. It was delicious. but not innovative or new. You can get that at Chili's.

Howard L.

We found Chef Amaury's on a list of fine dining restaurants in and around the western suburbs. This is a prix fixe menu. The food was excellent, and served by Chef Amaury himself, and his wife Tricia. This is in the category of a special occasion restaurant, as it will cost about $60 per person, but you will not be disappointed in the food or the unique dining experience - the food and presentation of formal, fine dining but in an intimate, yet casual environment. With interesting presentations and tastiness for the appetizer, soup, entrees, and dessert, our meal lasted about 2 and a half hours, but we enjoyed watching Chef Amaury go back to the visible kitchen area and prepare the next course while we were working on the current course. Restaurant setting is very intimate and Chef Amaury is very approachable (actually he approaches you), casual, and down to earth. Don't be surprised by the strip mall location or unimpressive exterior - we've never let appearance interfere with a restaurant's reputation, and it was well earned in this case. Reservation is a must.

Amy V.

Amazing food!! I was in love with the roast corn chowder soup with lime and chorizo. Oh my god, it was delicious! The food and drinks did not disappoint at all! The location was in Aurora, which isn't my favorite neighborhood, but it's ok. The inside of the restaurant was old fashioned looking with the exposed brick, open bar and jazz type decorations. Our server was very informative and helpful. Chef Amaury and his wife came to our table to check up on us to see how everything was going and I thought that was a very nice touch.

Christina H.

This wonderful, beautiful place does not offer dining. It offers an experience. The staff (more like friends) engage you with their expansive knowledge of the food, the drink, and everything in between, including other local fare and happenings. This is an upscale place for special experiences that remains humble and true: Be good to your guests.. I have been there for a casual Tuesday night small plate situation (reasonably priced), a few fantastic special dinners that will remain memorable for years to come (Wednesday night food and drink pairings), and special nights out where I have my pick of anywhere I want to go. I always choose Amuary's. I must give a special thank you to Jon. When you go, you will most likely be fortunate enough to meet him and be completely engaged by his knowledge, passion, and appreciation of all things tasty and complex. He REALLY knows his stuff and it is a delight and pleasure to receive a well-thought-out cocktail from him. Best Berkshire Pork in life. Shrimp with black beans was ridiculously delicious. Cheese plate is best value. Chef's soup creation never disappoints. Come to this wonderful experience!! You will be SO satisfied that you did!

margo f.

Went on a Friday night with my husband and I have to say that we loved it! Came here on the recommendations of Yelp and once again fellow Yelpers, you have chosen a winner. Everything was cooked perfectly and came out to us immediately. This is such an amazing, intimate restaurant that serves such incredibly delicious, and concise food. As other reviewers have mentioned, this restaurant is in a very unassuming location. ( It is easy to pass by this small place unless you are searching for it!) But it is so worth the effort. This restaurant isn't just a meal, it is an experience ...one you will talk about to friends and coworkers on Monday morning because you just can't forget about what an incredible meal you had. And honestly, how often does that happen?. Chef came by personally to our table to introduce himself and to talk about the menu for the night. We chose the five course meal and loved it. I think that one of our favorite items was a sweet corn chowder with drizzled cilantro oil. In Chef Amaury's hands this humble dish is elevated to Top Chef quality. Speaking of Top Chef, if you are a fan of the show, you will love this restaurant! Some of the same terms, methods, and dishes that you've seen on the show are also featured at Chef Amaury's. Very fun! Pricewise, I think that some people may experience a bit of sticker shock, but if you are a reader of Gourmet magazine, a watcher of Top Chef, and can appreciate cooking as an art, then Chef Amaury's is the restaurant for you. Quality and precision come at a price and it is worth it!

Kevin B.

Most amazing Meal and Service. The Chef took the time to come to every table and greet the desk and get feedback. This is a must for Naperville. Did I mention the Service....A must in South Naperville. We wish you continued success...

pbarp M.

We went here on a slow Friday night and tried the five course dinner menu. We relished every single bite - the salad, the tasty celery root soup, the excellent red snapper with carrot puree, the duck breast with squash puree (also the braised veal with the chevre mashed potato) and the molten chocolate cake (also the goat cheese cake). This restaurant gets 5-stars for the incredibly great tasting food and the attentive service. We recommend the five course dinner, and we definitely will come back to this place soon.

Walt B.

Aurora is not known for great dining. But it certainly should be. Chef Amaury Rosado has created a "Chicago-class" dining experience and anyone in the Western Burbs that loves good food prepared well and served in a friendly almost family atmosphere should come and eat at Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair. One of the biggest differences between Chef Amaury's and the Chicago restaurants is cost...the big fancy places in Chicago are more than three times the cost of dinner at Amaury's -- not to say that Amaury's is cheap...dinner for two, with drinks and wine (Amaury has an excellent wine list with really good wines from California and Chile and Australia among others)-- sets me back around $150 when I go there. It is the only reason I don't eat there more often. Amaury has a great "beer list" and an inventive wine list (where else can you get Benziger wines?). His menu changes with the seasons, and all the food is locally grown organics, except for the meats, which can come from places like Alaska for fish, and Montana for beef. His meats are naturally grown, not feedlot produced, and the tastes show. He makes a couple of duck dishes that I love-- and I hate duck. Now that the Paramount Theater in Aurora (about a block away) is doing a "Broadway at the Paramount" series, a lot of people do theater and dinner at Amaury's. I ate there last Saturday night on my way to see "A Chorus Line" and the place was jammed-- we had to eat at the bar. This is really a great restaurant. It is the equal of any in St Charles or Geneva or Naperville in the burbs, and compares well with many restaurants in downtown Chicago. Go eat there.

James C.

Gourmet Food in a Suburban Strip Mall??? Yeah, weird. Went out to Chef Amaury's with a group of close friends on a Saturday night. Don't judge a book by it's cover because this place is located in a dingy strip mall and is flanked by both a Citgo and what must be the world's last remaining Ponderosa. The location is a positive for Amaury's because less overhead means unique, delicious, and quality food at a great price. Personally I would eat Thomas Keller's food in a port-o-potty if I could do it at reasonable cost. Maybe that's overstating it a bit. The menu is set up as a 5 course prie frix for $65 and can be downgraded to a 3 course for $20 less. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles without the usual exhorbinant markups. The chef comes out and explains all the items on the menu to you in detail and answers any questions, this is a great personal touch. I felt the wine could have come out a bit quicker as we waited a bit and by the time it was being poured the salad was out. My favorite course was the sablefish over lentils. The fish was cooked perfectly. The sauce and lentils complimented the fish very well without overpowering. The braised short rib was fork tender but I felt it could have used more flavor. All in all the food was delicious. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and care in preparation. This place is a great value for a legitimately unique gourmet meal.

Paul G.

Absolutely amazing food, can be very disorganized and aloof in the restaurant. Food is a 5, Customer service is about a 1.5. We've been there twice and I cannot say enough positive things about the food. Both times we did the tasting menu and couldn't have been more satisfied with what we were food we were served. My problem is with the customer service and it's multi-fold. Our first visit, they were out of several drinks. They said their bartender got out of town and hadn't prepared anything. Several other types of liquor was out of stock as well on a Saturday night. That' no big deal, it happens. However, our initial sever was unable to describe several of the menu items. Luckily we had a second waiter come over who was wonderful and could explain things. However was unable to pair wines with the tasting menu. Luckily Chef Amaury came over and pointed us to a great bottle. The food, especially in regards to the immediate area, is without peer. The second time we went in (4 months later), we ran into the same problem in the bar. Several drinks couldn't be made (same excuse was used) and several ingredients were missing. We also waited (with only about 10 people in the place), almost 20 minutes before anyone asked what we wanted. Again however the food ended up being truly spectacular, but we again ran into problems again with the server not knowing the menu. The food again was superb. The final straw was this last week. We made reservations for my 40th two weeks before the Saturday we were celebrating. We got a call 2 days before the reservation to let us know it couldn't be accommodated. They offered us a seat on a Wednesday and said that's all that they could do. The only apology came in a "Well we're sorry Wednesday doesn't work fo you". When my fiancee fired off a somewhat terse email, they blamed a new reservation system, but no offers to find us another date outside of that Wednesday night or anything else was offered.. As getting a reservation at great place for a Saturday 2 days out is difficult, it pretty much killed the weekend. A friend of mine also had a problem with his credit card being triple charged by them He was initially met with the same aloof attitude from an employee until, on the second phone call, Chef Amaury stepped up and took care of the problem. Even with his involvement, It ended up being a giant pain thought getting the charges reversed and took a week's worth of phone calls to the bank. It's really too bad that stuff like this has to taint what should be one of the gems of the area. The customer service though is so sub par that I won't go back. That makes really a shame because the food is fabulous. I hope they get it together.

Jessica D.

5 course meal was great! Service was grreat.... The chef and his wife were very friendly

Pascal M.

Anyone who rates this place less than 4 stars is a fool. Amaury is an inspiration for any entreprenuer. For what he has been able to accomplish in suburbs, is utterly remarkable. He provides close to fine dining cusines at approachabel prices.His food is fantastic, the menu is always changing, and does a superb job at treating his customers like royalty. This is a perfect date spot, first or 1000th. Try this place as soon as you can.

Kenny A.

Great food and atmosphere. I like having dinner in the bar. Staff is very friendly and always makes for good conversation.

Tim R.

I have been many times to Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair many times both in his original location on Commons and new location in downtown Aurora. I admit I am biased in my review because I really like Chef and his family/friend that work there. But that is not the only reason I love this place. Typically chef has a pre-fix menu and individual dishes open. The prix-fix is I salad, soup, fish, meat, dessert. He always picks fresh ingredients and interesting cuts or types of fish. Often he uses his anti-griddle to make a flavored ice-cream butter to flavor a salad or fish. My favorite is the butterscotch medallions. I have never had anything I did not enjoy. My favorites have been salmon, barramundi, venison, and wagyu dishes. Each time they are fun. Chef or his staff take the time to discuss the meal and take care in mixing some interesting flavor combinations. The staff and bar tenders are friendly and keep trying different things. There is a good and growing variety of drinks, beers and wines, and they are reasonable in price and vary in styles for all types. I miss the old place, but I enjoy the new location even more. Like its surrounding downtown Aurora location, the location is on the rise and has character and charm. We love sitting outside weather permitting, but inside it is comfortable. We have had meals well dressed up as well as in jeans. We go for the prix-fix some days, or a salad and cheese plate others. (I love his cheese selections). I had attended corporate functions for lunch and dinner there, and I have used Amaury's as the location for my events several times and it was always a hit. For the price, this place is the pound for pound champ in the area for my book. In a world of chains or stuffy high end places, this place has great food prepared and served by nice peopl

Arlene C.

Another great meal! Adults loved the cheese and salumi (kids ate the bread). Adults loved the lamb and the squash ravioli entrees, kids split the ocean trout. My 4 year old proclaimed "this is the best fish I've ever had" while our 6 year old finished hers and waited for the opportunity to compliment Amaury in person. Their highlight was the molten chocolate cake. They even slept the whole way home. Great meal, atmosphere and craft beer list!!!

A M.

Great Dinner. Great place for a night out.

Richard F.

2nd time to dine at this new Aurora Restaurant Row hidden gem! Fantastic fixed priced menu, 5 courses $65. Only the finest locally accessed ingredients, great wine pairings. The Chef personally visited our table 3 times during the presentation to check on the courses. What a find for the Fox Valley, especially the new Aurora Restaurant Row area on West New York Street. Each time I have gone I have been more impressed! Try it, you won't regret it.

Pati F.

This restaurant was amazing...in downtown Aurora! I felt like I was in Italy. The freshest ingredients, outstanding service and wine list. It's worth a trip from the city...enjoy.

Mike M.

My wife and I don't get out for a nice dinner very often. Last time was two years ago, so wee made some birthday reservations at Amaury's. Now downtown Aurora has some restaurants, but nothing even compares. This is a Chicago caliber dining experience. The setting is nice, the ingredients are fresh and the price is a bit higher than your standard Aurora eatery. These are all compliments because the food was great. I have been wanting to check out this place since it was in a strip mall behind Ponderosa. We went for the tasting menu. We started with a poached pear salad. It had a little dab of honey and blue cheese. It was a nice sweet/stinky balance. Next was this butternut squash soup that was awesome. I could have eaten four bowls of this stuff. It had this Spanish chorizo "jerky" in it that was awesome. Third was a striped bass that was good but not great. It had a little vanilla taste to it and it put me off. That could be me because I really do not like vanilla in any other form than ice cream. Next I had the lamb with farro, blueberries, and English peas. This was amazing. it was cooked rare and if there weren't other people around I would have chewed every bite of meat off of the bones. Lets be honest, I did gnaw the bones a bit. My wife went for the NY strip with a truffle goat cheese mash and wild mushrooms. This was pretty amazing also. We finished up with a concord grape tart with peanut butter ice cream and an apple napoleon. They were good, but a little on the sweet side after such a rich and savory meal. Chef Amaury's is a great find dining experience in Aurora. Personally, I was a little intimidated by the "Epicurean Affair" and the tasting menu. Once you get there the staff was good, the menu was great and we had a really nice time. I can't wait until we have a time away from the kids to go back.

Michael D.

My friend and I had dinner there last night during a WInter snow storm to celebrate another successful one week seminar that we give this time of year. We were the only diners in the dining room although there were a few imbibers at the bar. The food and the service were very enjoyable. My friend had the pork tenderloin and I had the wild mushroom, root vegetable, and shrimp risotto. We preceded this with the cheese and meat appetizer plate with a glass of wine. My friend had the brulée dessert. The ambience is very warm and this was enhanced by the snow falling outside the window in front of which we were seated to watch it fall. We commented to each other at the taste of each new dish that the food is very good. The chef came out to greet us and told of using as many organic ingredients as locally procured as he can. He spoke of local sources of vegetables, including greens during the Winter, and pastured poultry and other meats. The chef is clearly current with the times and I encourage his continued search for local ingredients. The prices were quite reasonable, so I am wondering why the $$$$ in the profile. The $ assessment is silly unless it is for restaurants in the same class. My risotto dish was $17. A glass of a French white was $8 and our bottle of a Qupe Syrah was $30. Both are reasonable. I give them 4 stars because I seldom give anyone 5 stars unless they set the bar for a cuisine. The two recommendations which we gave them and I reiterate here are to have the cheese closer to room temperature on serving, and to lower the salt in the dish, giving the diners the option of adding salt if they chose. A little, more or less depending on the dish, salt is needed for flavor but these dishes were salted in the old style. My comment to my friend regarding the wild mushrooms in the risotto was that I would have liked to see more characteristically wild mushrooms of the season but this would be expensive and not local in Illinois in January. The dish was delicious nevertheless. I should note that I am a mushroomer and have high expectations in this regard. Would we go there again? We might when I visit my friend again. He has already asked for reservations for Valentines Day for he and his wife.

Matthew W.

You really should receive the email response from the Chef on my blog at talesfromtheroad-mwalno.… Rating 8.2 630-375-0426 It is hidden in a strip mall across from the Aurora Post Office (east of it). Very intimate, but when we went on a Friday night there were only 2 other couples there. We had a party of 6, and it would probably seat 20 at the most. I have driven by the place many times and never knew it was there. We went with our Chef neighbors who knew the chef. What is an Epicurean Affair???????????? It was pretty good although I did not like beer price of $10 per!!!!!!! We had the six course meal for $65 each - first course was some little thing, second was some carrot soup/something else that was pretty good, third was halibut - which I LOVED, fourth was a steak (I didn't eat since it was Good Friday), fifth was cheese plate (very good) and last was desert (I had the chocolate explosion and it was little like at the trump, but very good). Chef was there and introduced the menu and thanked us for dining there (that was a great touch), but then I am not sure what he did. I don't think he cooked (the kitchen is open, its like eating in someones home), and our Chef's said the kids cooking had worked there for years. The Chef/owner also teaches at some local colleges. Service was very good (it should be with no one there), and his wife is one of the waitresses. Katie would go back for sure, I think I would. I heard the depressing news that my FAVORITE place closed (Capri) and Chef Amaury is thinking of taking that space. Won't work if he keeps his menu the same. 6 Dinner - Five course $390.00 2 Rhone - Cotes Delas 64.00 2 Cabernet - Conn Creek 80.00 5 Beer - Erdinger Hefe 50.00 (this is me, a great beer, but $10 PLEASE) Tip 116.80 (automatic for parties of six) Total $759.20

Colleen M.

My husband and I had dinner there on a Friday night. The owner/chef stopped by our table while we were looking over the menu and answered some of our questions. He was very friendly and described the ingredients he uses to make his dishes - - only the best quality! We had the 5 course fixed menu and enjoyed ever course. Every thing was cooked to perfection, juicy, tasty, steamy hot (which you don't get often!). For desert, my husband ordered a delicious chocolate squash creme brûlée. I can't eat sweet deserts and when I told them that, I was offered a cheese plate instead - - it was such a treat! We will definitely return and bring some friends to enjoy the restaurant with us next time!

Tony S.

Amazing culinary experience brought to you by a professional, knowledgable staff in a warm atmosphere. Chef Amaury's care for his customers shows in his food.

Mary F.

We went on a busy Saturday night after the 4PM Paramont show. It was obviously challenging to handle the people finishing dinner before the 8PM show and the people coming in after the 4PM show. The staff made the appropriate priorities to get people to the theater while still handling the new people arrriving and acknowledging they were a bit over whelmed. The food and service were delightful. We had scallops, tuna, soup (excellent parsnip soup), and we shared a rack of lamb plus a molten chocolate - well worth the 15 minute wait.

Chris H.

I took my wife to dinner at Chef Amaury's for her birthday. I took a leap of faith based on the reviews from my fellow "Yelpers" and was so pleased with the outcome. First of all, make sure you understand that Chef Amaury's is not your typical restaurant experience. You won't be seated by a 17 year old hostess with zero personality, you won't be served the customary bread and butter with water by a bus boy, and you won't have the generic waitstaff service you'd find at your typical establishment. At Chef Amaury's it is a "family" affair. In fact, we were seated by the Chef's wife, Tricia! What you will expect to find at Chef Amaury's is a personalize fine dining experience similar to what you may expect from Trotter's or French Laundry but without the stuffiness. And that my friends is the bonus! Because Chef Amaury will personally review and discuss his menu with you, answer any questions, and explain each course with a passion that really captivates and makes you appreciate his creations even more. What's there to like: 1. Chef sources most of his ingredients from local farms 2. Chef's ingredients are 70-80% organic...i.e. no hormones in the beef/chicken/game and wild shellfish and fish! 3. The wine list! There are no wines by the glass but they do offer half bottles. And Chef does not mark up his wines so you don't pay the 50% mark up you may find elsewhere. 4. Personal attention to detail. Each of the 5 courses has been meticulously created. The fusion of flavors and ingredients is where Chef Amaury's skills rival those of some of the greats! He definitely knows his stuff. 5. The atmosphere - It's not stuffy and stiff. You don't feel like you're "unqualified" to be eating such decadent creations. Chef and his wife Tricia really go out of their way to make sure you get the most of your dining experience. What I didn't like: (There really isn't anything that I found worth noting here. But for the sake of a solid review I'll name a few things that may help in your decision to check out Chef Amaury's): 1. Option of wine by the glass would be a nice to have so you can pair wines with the different courses. 2. Some may find the location a bit odd. It is, as others say, in a strip mall. But it's really not a big deal in my opinion. It's not in a crowed strip mall where you're competing with minivans and pick-up trucks. It's tucked away in a business park and I really didn't find it to detract from my experience. 3. Keep in mind you will need a solid 3 hours if you really want to enjoy this dinner experience. So if you're pressed for time you may want to reconsider. This is a 5 course prix fixe menu and you'll want to get every ounce of that meal. So it's worth the time investment! 4. Only open for Friday and Saturday night. But again that's not a big deal. Just worth mentioning. Overall I think this is an outstanding find in the western suburbs. Sure it's nice to drive into the city from time to time but to have an establishment like Chef Amaury's here in the Fox Valley is a gem! I've already told some friends of ours and will plan on another visit soon!!

Mark J.

We really, really wanted to like this place. We are huge supporters of downtown Aurora and would love to see it grow, but this was a dining disaster. The service was awful. The host didn't appear to know what to do, and seemed to lose his cool when one of the guests left to go to the bathroom while we were being seated. It took three attempts for the guys to get their drink orders while the ladies were ordering their wine. When we finally did get our waitress, she couldn't tell us what scotch they had . We ordered the cheese plate appetizer and the waitress didn't know what the cheeses were. She tried explaining them off a cheat sheet she carried in her apron and still got them mixed up. One of the diners ordered the prix fix menu and the beef entry was inedible. When we complained, we were told by someone whom we assume was the maitre de that he had tried it and there was nothing wrong with it, but we were of course entitled to our own opinion. He then insinuated that perhaps we didn't know what braised beef was supposed to taste like. To be fair, they did comp us that dish and two glasses of scotch: $13 off a $300 bill. Aside from the wagyu steak (which was delicious) and the cheese plate almost everything was mediocre at best and downright tasteless at worst. The celery root soup had as much flavor as, well.., as a stick of celery. Neither of the two who ordered the salmon thought it was anything spectacular, and and one of the two diners thought it was too salty. The 15 year scotch they sold us was awful. It was nearly clear in color with overtones of turpentine. My initial thought was that they'd accidentally poured well tequila. For our second round we tried to order Glenlivet, but they were out and asked if Chivas Regal would be okay. Seriously? Chivas? The chocolate desert and the creme brulee was passable, but nothing spectacular. Frankly, by that point in the evening we just wanted to get the hell out. This was truly a disappointing dining experience. We'd heard such great things and it's a beautiful space, but the experience turned sour very quickly.

Hector C.

By far the best fine restaurant in Aurora. Must visit for any out of toweners and locals. Best service in town and the food is excellent. Thank you for opening this restaurant, it gives me great hope for the rest of the downtown area. Best 5 course meals in the west burbs

George S.

After 5 visits, I must say Chef Amaury offers a great menu, attentive service and the nicest food for many miles around.

Rick N.

Excellent experience the food was outstanding, the service was top notch and they don't mark up their wine. Loved it!!!

Kate R.

I took my family here to celebrate birthdays. We all ordered the prix fixe menu. Chef Amaury himself took 15minutes to walk through the menu with us. The service was impeccable. Our favorite dish was duck, but the fish of the day, opakapaka from Hawaii, was also outstanding. Also, we had some unusual drink requests all of which were graciously accommodated By the batender who looked things up for us. The ambience was very low-key and warm. I felt very at home here. I would recommend this restaurant to all of my friends and family for a special occasion. Outstanding find in Aurora.

Eric H.

This is the best kept secret in Naperville. I had heard about this place a few times, but I never got around to trying it. This evening, I had dinner here with a group. And it was amazing. Prix fixe menu. You don't know what you are getting until a few days before you get there. Chef Amary Rosado offers a selection of the highest quality fresh ingredients that he can find from his local organic suppliers. The restaurant is only open to the general public on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are essential. The rest of the week Chef Amaury does private functions. The maximum seating is 26. He typically has no more than 7 tables for dining. The food? I cannot accurately describe the menu. Before the meal we started with a wonderful sampling of exotic cheese and fresh baked bread. Our first course was a puff pastry with a delicate blue cheese and white wine poached pairs, served with a bed of fresh greens and huckleberry and pumpkin seed oil dressing. The soup was a spicy butternut squash with wild boar bacon. We had grilled snapper with mushroom flan and Israeli couscous. This was followed by a grilled wagyu flat-iron steak with tiny potatoes. Desert was molten chocolate cake with freshly made vanilla ice cream. Does that sound good? It was even better than that! I cannot do the menu justice. It was outstanding. The wine list is excellent and priced very fairly. Corkage is $15, but why bother. His prices are $10 to $15 over retail. Plus, you want wine that is paired with your meal. My only negative comments: 1) The place is in a little strip mall next to a dry cleaners and dance studio. The exterior looks like it might be a pizzeria. Aesthetically, it could use some improvement. The interior is cozy, but the exterior does not impress. 2) We had five different wines with our meal, but kept the same glasses. Not such a big deal, but it might have been nice to have a new glass. (Although, with 26 people dining that would mean he needs at least 130 glasses. That's a lot of glasses for such a small place.) 3) The night that we were their the exhaust fan broke and for about 10 minutes the place got a little smoky. Not such a big deal, but it did take away from the experience. The amazing food makes up for any short comings listed above. Every dish was perfect and better than the one before. Service? The service was not typical. We were served by Chef Amaury himself and the kitchen staff. There were no waiters, per se. Service was attentive and good, but different than a typical restaurant. Better, I would say, if you are interested in how your food was prepared. This restaurant is ideal for any special occasion (birthday or anniversary) or for a midweek company function. If you really want to impress a group of clients (with 14 people or more), you need to come here. Plan on $60 per person plus tax, gratuity and wine. Chef Amaury's has made it onto my list of favorite places. I guarantee you will be pleased if you chose to come here.

Teresa B.

The food was phenomenal. We ordered 3 entrees and a salad, and it was all delicious. They are ironing out a few issues (the fans are on the same power line as the lights and music?) But the food does not suffer from any technical difficulties. Would definitely go back.

Tom P.

This is the type of small gourmet restaurant where the chef actually walks to your table and describes everything on that night's menu. Overall, the service, food, and preparation are phenomenal. This is definitely my favorite "fancy" restaurant outside of Chicago. Another nice thing about it is that, for gourmet food, the prices are very good.

Rachell E.

This was a legendary meal for me! My honey and I attended for my birthday and WOW, the food was amazing! It was the oddest thing when he pulled into a 'dinky' strip mall next to Ponderosa and said to me, 'you ready?' Of course I thought that he was joking, seeing as though there didn't appear to be anything in the strip mall worth getting out of the car for! I AM SO GLAD that he wasn't joking. The meal was so delicious that I asked the Chef if I could take a copy of the menu home with me as a keepsake. My favorite course was the soup course, a butternut squash soup make from local ingredients. Chef Amaury and his Wife were fantastic hosts and the bottle of Bordeaux that she suggested for us was a perfect compliment to the meal! Chef Amaury creates his menu weekly based upon what the local farmers have available and he only uses sustainable ingredients. For the two of us the meal was about $190 and worth every penny. Chef Amaury, if you read this, I'd like to commend you on turning a 'dinky little strip mall' into a destination!!! Great food, great ambiance, and a great concept.

Scott C.

My wife Annie and I discovered this place in mid-2008, and have probably been been there 8-10 times since. We often come as a couple, and sit at the bar - we enjoy the additional interaction with Amaury and are actually kind of interested in what his line cooks are doing. As others have attested, this is a special and unique place. The quality and sophistication (without being too extreme or overdone) of the food rivals the finest restaurants in the city. Besides the price - which is a great value for those who appreciate fine dining - two things make Amaury's unique. First, it is the only place I have ever discovered where one can enjoy food of this caliber without the traditional attitude, formality, parade of waitstaff, and stuffy atmosphere that too often accompany fine dining. Second, the passion the chef has for what he does, and the personal touch one receives from him and his family, makes for an intimate and warm experience. If you are frightened by a strip mall and expect the format and ambiance that one typically associates with a high-end restaurant, you might want to rethink coming here. If you want a very different and unique experience with world-class food, however, give it a try.

Dave G.

I have only been there once so far, but will certainly go again. Food was exceptional, cooked by the owner and served by his wife and sister-in-law with additional commentary by the chef. Menu changes almost daily based on chef's whim and what is fresh. It is an unremarkable strip mall outside, but nice inside, rather small so lots of personal attention. Prices on food are high, but justified by the quality. Wine prices are very low for the quality since the chef puts a smaller than average mark-up on each bottle, which means you can afford to drink a wine of similar quality to the dinner.

Kate P.

I had a really blah experience at Amaury's a few months ago, and I think that it deserves an update in my rating. We went back right before his downtown Aurora 33 West Trattoria opened (a few months before the main restaurant moved to the downtown location). The menu was almost an exact replica of the one we had on our very first visit. I was hoping for something a little new. The execution wasn't as tight as it had been on our other visits to the restaurant, and the few menu differences between our first visit and our most recent one were not favorable. The dessert was particularly disappointing. This was also the first time when Chef Amaury didn't check in during or after most of the courses to make sure that we were enjoying the meal. That was too bad, since this was the first time that I ever had cuisine that wasn't outstanding. The kicker, though, was the atmosphere. I haven't been to Amaury's new digs in downtown Aurora, but the original restaurant was very intimate and cozy. For the most part, the diners keep to themselves. During a wine dinner, there was a bit more interaction between the tables, but in a very pleasant way. On my last visit, there was a table of really obnoxious people. They weren't drunk, they were just loud. And pretentious. And LOUD. From across the restaurant, I could hear every ridiculous opinion that man had about the restaurant business, specific restaurants in the Aurora-Naperville area, wine, beer, and music. After their desserts were finished, I was hoping they would leave. Unfortunately, finishing dessert merely freed up the man's two dinner companions so they could offer their own commentary on each of the subjects he discussed. I toyed with mentioning to Chef Amaury that they were really interfering with my experience so that he would ask them to lower the volume a bit. I'm sort of glad I didn't have the stones to do so, though, as the Chef sat down with them to chat during our last two courses. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. We stopped elsewhere for dessert on the way home. I'm really hoping that we were there on an off night, and that the opening of the new restaurant was impacting the quality of the experience. I will definitely check out the new restaurant downtown to give them another chance!

Jorge G. M.

My wife and I have been joined by friends now for over a half-dozen wonderful dinners at this outstanding and dependable restaurant. Not only is there a good variety of appetizers and entrees but each is skillfully, inventively prepared and presented. The four-to-six of us dinning together normally order a variety of items and exchange tasting portions. Yesterday evening the four of us, at a table outside in the back, shared a good bottle of wine (New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc) and ordered steak, pasta, pork chop and salmon, each served with a wonderful complementary side. After tasting we remarked that, even though a wide range of tastes, we each enjoyed everything we tried. This restaurant is highly recommended - you won't be disappointed!

Cliff S.

Amaury's is really the only fine dining in the Naperville area as far as I am concerned. I have been there several times and have never been disappointed. You won't believe that such a memorable dining experience would be located in a small strip on Commons drive in Aurora behind the Fox Valley Mall...do not be fooled. Amaury is a real foodie whose passion for food comes across-- great ingredients prepared to perfection. He gives Charlie Trotter a run for his money!

Chris M.

Went here with my Wife for Valentine's day and it was very bad. Place was not put together for a nice restaurant! Was more like a hack job where we had to wait for table service even though there was no one in the restaurant, and they set up our table with us waiting right next to it! They also had a special menu that was not good. We didn't finish our food. Also we ordered some martinis and I had to get a different one because the Gin tasted old and sour. Thought they made it wrong so got another one, and it was bad as well. Said to waitress that I didn't like it could I get another, they didn't take it off my check made me pay for it. Didn't bitch or anything because was more about my Wife having a good time but wouldn't go there again. Could hear them yelling at each other in the back kitchen from the front of the restaurant. Also when we left they where all hanging out up front having cocktails, well 3 of the staff that is. Had a bad experience there for such an expensive place. Was more like going to a dive bar or something. Even the desert tasted dried out like the made it the day before and left it to get a little stale.Shoulda went to Two Brothers instead if we wanted to stay in Aurora. If not go to Napervile! Check out Charles W. review below me....this is how it was in better detail!

Ozzie T.

Chef Amaury is quite delusional about his food quality & food operation execution. The meals & food are way overpriced & I finds Chef Amaury's justifications, explanations, excuses & oversharing a bit troubling & to try & gain credibility. I met with Chef Amaury for a group dinner which he priced insanely ridiculous for fruit, cheese & meats & wine?!? Ridiculous!!! I booked my event at a local owners restaurant & got a full course meal for half of what Chef Amaury proposed. I give him one star for providing an possibility to experience something beyond a 2-3 start experience in Aurora, but this place is hit & miss bipolar. The establishment has a bit of a pretentious following that thinks they know a thing or two about fine wine, fine dining & food snobbery, but that's it. Stop in for a glass of wine & gamble on on some food, but I've given this place 3 times to hit the mark and it just doesn't happen in all areas. If I'm totally sick of the lack of the restaurant & bar scene in Aurora, I'll stop in for a glass of their adequate wine selection & questionable appetizers & cuisine for the night. Good luck with the unicorn search for fine dining in Aurora.

Howard L.

We found Chef Amaury's on a list of fine dining restaurants in and around the western suburbs. This is a prix fixe menu. The food was excellent, and served by Chef Amaury himself, and his wife Tricia. This is in the category of a special occasion restaurant, as it will cost about $60 per person, but you will not be disappointed in the food or the unique dining experience - the food and presentation of formal, fine dining but in an intimate, yet casual environment. With interesting presentations and tastiness for the appetizer, soup, entrees, and dessert, our meal lasted about 2 and a half hours, but we enjoyed watching Chef Amaury go back to the visible kitchen area and prepare the next course while we were working on the current course. Restaurant setting is very intimate and Chef Amaury is very approachable (actually he approaches you), casual, and down to earth. Don't be surprised by the strip mall location or unimpressive exterior - we've never let appearance interfere with a restaurant's reputation, and it was well earned in this case. Reservation is a must.

Christina H.

This wonderful, beautiful place does not offer dining. It offers an experience. The staff (more like friends) engage you with their expansive knowledge of the food, the drink, and everything in between, including other local fare and happenings. This is an upscale place for special experiences that remains humble and true: Be good to your guests.. I have been there for a casual Tuesday night small plate situation (reasonably priced), a few fantastic special dinners that will remain memorable for years to come (Wednesday night food and drink pairings), and special nights out where I have my pick of anywhere I want to go. I always choose Amuary's. I must give a special thank you to Jon. When you go, you will most likely be fortunate enough to meet him and be completely engaged by his knowledge, passion, and appreciation of all things tasty and complex. He REALLY knows his stuff and it is a delight and pleasure to receive a well-thought-out cocktail from him. Best Berkshire Pork in life. Shrimp with black beans was ridiculously delicious. Cheese plate is best value. Chef's soup creation never disappoints. Come to this wonderful experience!! You will be SO satisfied that you did!

Mike M.

Tasting menu is what you want if you're going for 'the experience' - if you're looking to fill your belly you might be happier with an entree. Nice atmosphere, casual, dress up if you want but you won't stand out in jeans. I didn't realize they have a bar, may pop in for a drink sometime soon.

Silvia F.

My husband and I love this place. The restaurant is very intimate. The server was extremely knowledgeable about each dish. The ingredients are from local growers. The fusion of ingredients (from local growers) was surprising but delicious. We went for a special dinner and drink and thoroughly enjoyed it. We've been back a few times for appetizers and drinks.

Misty S.

Fine dining in Aurora? I HAD to come try with my own taste buds. **spoiler alert** They, and my bum, left a bit disappointed. The 8 course tasting menu is $95 and the 4 course is $55. They also offer a 3 course meal between 5p-630p for $42. The décor was cozy and inviting. It was like dining at someone's house. Looking around the restaurant, most of the diners were well dressed, but I spotted a few in jeans. Has the cost of fine dining gone up so high that this restaurant was just a casual place for some? Boy, I need a raise. Then I sat down and noticed it was a wicker chair, not because I'm a chair snob or anything, but because it gave me a splinter! For some reason, I was looking forward to checking out the bathroom, so this seemed like as good a reason as any to go. Disappointment #1 - it was quite ordinary. Or maybe it was #2 since I was expecting a nice comfy soft non-biting chair. Back to the bathroom...the hallway to the bathroom actually reminded me of a scene from The Shining. No fancy sink. No fancy napkins. There was a creepy chair in there. Luckily, I found the splinter lodged in my dress and was able to remove it without further incident. Anyway, who cares about the bathroom, I came for the food. The waiter, I found out, was the son of Chef Amaury himself. He was super nice and helpful. Midway through my meal, I saw the chef talking to a talk of either regulars or friends that he knew. As he walked by our table, it was like a last minute decision that he swung around and stopped to asked how we were doing and how we heard of the restaurant. He was very nice and pleasant. Ok, on to the food. Great craft beer and wine menu. I went with the 4 course tasting menu, which was a wise choice because I was so stuffed I couldn't even finish my meal. The 4 course menu gave the following options: 1st Course -Potato Soup -Baby Greens 2nd Course -Duck -Escolar 3rd Course -Berkshire pork -Beef short rib 4th Course -Chocolate cake -Artisanal cheese -Vegan cheesecake -Vanilla panna cotta The potato soup with cured egg yolk, salmon roe, sour cream, red onion was the most creative and my favorite of the evening. The duck was just ok. The short ribs were good, but not spectacular. The vanilla panna cotta was excellent. It started and ended well, but it lacked that "fine dining" feel.

Robert D.

Great Meal! The Chef here is big on using local produce and meats. The fish fresh here. We started off the meal with a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay for $55. Great wine list reasonably priced. The butternut squash soup that was finished with a chive olive oil and crispy chorizo bits. Silky smooth and made by someone that knows what he is doing. We split an order of the seared scallops that were done nicely as well. The entrees were wonderful. I had the Acorn Fed Berkshire Pork Chop from southern IL with a Vanilla Bean Rutabaga puree, Kale, with an Apple compote.Wish I had more of the puree! It was great. The wife had the Risotto with shrimp, mushrooms kale bell peppers.The vegetables were cut so not to overpower the rice. Great flavor on the risotto nice. Desserts were good I liked the Earl Gray infused Creme Brulee with white chocolate and the Peanut butter ice cream with a Concord Grape filled soft pastry. Not a big fan of that one. Caught Larry the Cable Guy @ the Paramount. Great meal after the show.We will come for the wine and the food, The menu changes so give it a shot. The bill was $112 for dinner and $55 of that was the wine. If you don't like what is put in front of you than say something to them! If you don't and post a rant then your penny wise and pound foolish. .

John G.

I have been dining at Chef Amaury's since it was at it's old location, so it's been over 5 years. I loved this place and visited several times a year for special occasions such as birthday and anniversary dinners. However the last two times it has been a terrible experience enough that I will not return. On my 2nd to last visit: My steak dish was okay however the pork dish my girlfriend ordered was 50% fat. The chef should have never allowed this out of the kitchen. The chocolate cake for desert was something I would expect to unwrap out of a vending machine... totally ridiculous to even serve such an abomination! I expected much better for a meal for two that was around $150. On my last visit: (8/30/14): I called the day before to talk to Amaury to let him know about my last sub-par dinning experience, inquire about the menu for the next evening and to make reservations for my girlfriend's birthday dinner. He assured me everything would be wonderful and I was excited that they had scallops on the menu. Here's where it all went downhill. 1) It was around 80 degrees and we were sweating just sitting there. 2) Our female server that we had last time as well was not knowledgeable about the menu and slightly annoying. 3) We ordered drinks.... 10 minutes later (no joke) she brought out my wine and said they were out of the wine my girlfriend ordered. 4) She pawned us off to another server after a table of 4 was seated. (Not bad, because the guy was very knowledgeable and good at his job, the only positive of the evening! We felt bad for him... he was covered in sweat beads the entire night!)) 5) In the transfer of servers our soup order was never placed... 20 minutes later we inquired about that.... oops! They were out of the soup on the menu and offered another one in it's place. Not a huge deal. The alternative soup was great when we finally received it. 6) Finally we were served water! Isn't this supposed to happen right away? Even cheap chain restaurants knows this! Since it was so warm in there, we drank our waters very quickly....and then my glass was empty for about 15 minutes until Amaury's wife came around and refilled it. Nice attention to your customers!!! 7) At this point we should have just left, however, there aren't that many choices for upscale dinning in this area, so we decided we would stick it out and make the best of our sauna dinning experience. 8) When ordering, they were out of the scallops!!! Really? There were around three other filled tables there, about 10 people total. There were way more empty tables than filled ones. How are you out of this too??? 9) We ordered the sirloin and the stew. The sirloin was okay, I've made much better myself. The potatoes were very dry and the sauce was just mediocre. This was what I would expect for around $12 at a chain restaurant. The stew was decent and had a great taste.... but it's a stew, not our first choice for a birthday dinner. 10) Not a single thing was done for my girlfriend's birthday! Nothing was even offered to make this disastrous experience more tolerable.... like dessert on the house. Heck, I was at Monterra Grill in Algonquin last night and the waitress came and said she screwed up and placed a fillet order instead of my rib-eye and offered to buy our desserts.... a $16 peace offering. This is what a real restaurant does for its customers! I know Amaury is going to try and defend his restaurant and comment on this review, but there is truly no excusing this experience at a pricey establishment. In summary: I really liked this restaurant and it's a shame I will be taking it off of my list of places to frequent. Hopefully when this place closes something new and exciting will take it's place.

John B.

I have never thought about a Yelp review as much as I have thought about this one. I should say that I will splurge on a meal, however with three kids, my wife and two jobs, we rarely have time alone to enjoy an establishment like this and tend to be cautious with how much we spend as we prefer to do something for/with our kids, rather than ourselves. Our visit here was a rare celebration of 2 things, one was a late Valentine's Day gift to my wife(this is more of an excuse really) and the other was spending time with each other while not worrying about the kids for a night, something that had not happened in a very long time. My expectations were rather high, as I wanted something special for the both of us. Let me start by saying that despite some items that I will be critical over, I have wholeheartedly given a five star rating. Nothing in the immediate area can even come close. The Chef takes great care in the preparation of his craft and every bite will remind you of this. We chose to have an 8 course meal with wine. I won't go into great detail over every dish as they change and I do not want to set a specific expectation. All I will say is that you will not be disappointed. Your expectations should be for perfectly prepared selections, with flavorful accompaniments. The dishes are not overly complicated or attempting to break new ground such as MOTO does. They are focused on rich flavors and perfect execution. Anyone would be comfortable with the flavors and enjoy the experience. My rating is based on the food, with less focus on following, since I do not wish for it to dissuade anyone from going. I am a service oriented person, the Chef has said himself in a Chicago Tribune article "I don't believe in ninja service, they come up to the table and disappear so quick you don't even know who was there. I'd rather go up and talk to you, make sure you're comfortable." I could not agree more. That said, I cannot help but feel that the front of the house training is not a priority here. The staff was very friendly/non-pretentious and I do want to feel like family, but keep in mind we are paying to get away from normal life and day to day challenges. I am here to experience something I cannot readily do everyday, it would not be special otherwise. I simply do not want a running dialog on everything the staff is thinking, every problem they have, every action they take and why they are doing it, because in the end, I am not your family, I am a Guest that is there to forget about life if only for a moment and focus on in my case, the love of my life who is sitting across from me and whom rarely ever I get to connect with properly. In my opinion, great staff will talk with you and are very much a huge part of the experience, by talking about the food, recommending good wine, giving insights to the sourcing of food and the cooking process, as well as answering questions. But it needs to stop there. Throughout the night we learned more about the problems of the servers, all be it one more than the other, than I really cared to. In looking around the room, I got the impression that others felt the same way. Given the overall acoustics, it is rather easy to hear nearby conversation (not in an obtrusive way, but you can hear people talk). If there is a challenge, the solution should come without the guest knowing there was a challenge to begin with. I do not require an explanation, if I never know an issue existed in the first place. This is not an issue with the staff themselves, they are very friendly and nice folks, I feel they have just never been trained on high level service standards. I'm having a moment of sounding like a snob and let me tell you I am far from it, so I apologize for that, I just enjoy being made to feel special when the occasion is special and think that spending around $300 on a nice dinner is sufficient regardless of you knowing/not knowing why I'm there. We just felt more like house guests rather than a high end restaurant guests. Here are a few front of the house items that made us feel that it needs some attention. Paper covers on every table. Not lighting the table candles in advance of the guests, the constant clicking of the lighter all night was really annoying. Not changing the silverware throughout the 8 course meal (maybe once would be nice even). Missing paint on the ceiling where a light used to be. A dirty clipboard/A clipboard for the wine list. No beer/cocktail list provided. Stacking dirty dishes on the table before clearing. Removing one guests plate before both guests were finished with the dish. That said, there were very good moments and our main server was very attentive. Ultimately, Go! Just read what I have said and expect that. To be clear, no one was rude, the staff was nice, the food superb and we very much enjoyed our night!

Suburban M.

Went there for my birthday, it was pretty disappointing. Their AC wasn't working properly (or they cheaped out and kept it at 78), it was uncomfortably warm sitting there, which made me not hungry. I ordered wine from a list of only 12 sold by the glass, they didn't have it. I chose a different one, they came back 5 min later and said they only had 1/2 glass of that! By now, it was 20+ min since we were seated. We got passed off to a different server and nothing was communicated in the transfer. Terrible service! They were out of the only soup listed in the menu, and ran out of scallops -1 of only 4 dinner options that weren't an appetizer or dessert. I don't like grouper, so it was either beef stew (not a seasonal dish), their premium steak dish or I could pay $20 for chicken and beans. Bad service, food was good but nothing special, not going back.

Marc F.

The place is the definition of dining perfection. Its cozy, everyone is sticky/sweet polite, and the service was over the top perfect. The food was awesome, that was the tasiest and most tender new york strip I ever had. Unique and incredible dessert and coffee topped off the evening. Once again, this was dining perfection in downtown Aurora.

Charles W.

Bitter. That is one word describing our most recent experience here. We received an email announcing a truffle-themed dinner a few nights later and organized a group of eight. Five courses for $75. One of our group has a dairy allergy,and when the reservation was made we asked if they could accommodate. They said yes they could accommodate and went so far as to explain the substitution for each course. No dairy is no problem...excellent. We arrived and ordered cocktails, which were very good. Craft cocktails take time, so I will not knock the score here for the wait on our drinks. However, the restaurant was sold out for this dinner with 35 reservations (and a wait list for the event), and you have only one bartender who fell behind quickly. For failing to staff correctly, you FAIL. We ordered two additional drinks and received only one...i guess I wasn't thirsty after all...but in the end we did not get charged for the drink so no real harm. After the 35 were seated, Chef came out and talked about the courses we would be served. During his speech, he spoke of some tragic events in his life, which while very sad, were just out of place and seemed very odd. Chef also mentioned that he envisioned a maximum of 20 patrons for this event, but stretched portions and changed things to accommodate 35. Very odd that he even said this as it seems like a money grab in plain terms. Why even say that?!?! First course arrives...salmon. Nice presentation. To this point it has been 20 minutes or so since we had been seated, and we have nothing but water in front of us (and salmon). At no point did either server think to offer us the wine list or another cocktail! We finally had to track her down and get some wine glasses. Luckily I brought a bottle and intended to pay corkage, otherwise we may well have gone thirsty. Sadly, we had to remind the staff of the dairy allergy, as they never asked which person in our party required substitutions. Fail. On every level except the salmon itself. Second course- soup. The staff could not decide whether they would give us soup spoons or if we would be fine using our dessert spoons- yes, this was contemplated in front of us. Fail. We needed to remind the servers of the dairy problem, and they had to exchange the soup. Fail. Soup was good though, but nothing special. Third course- fish. We felt the need to ask the servers again about the dairy issue. They disappeared and came back out and removed the fish presented- sure enough, it contained dairy. Seriously? We need to remind you after each course is presented? It took almost ten minutes for a new dairy-free dish to be made. I will remind you that we asked about this when the reservation was made, and it wasn't going to be a problem. Wrong. EPIC FAILURE ON EVERY LEVEL for a restaurant holding itself out to be a fine dining establishment. Fourth course- steak. Excellent course, though some plates were medium rare and others very rare. Again we had to ask and be certain there was no dairy. Fifth course, a dessert- berry and truffle creme brûlée, and we were told our dairy-free friend would be served fresh berries. Problem- they have no berries. What!?!? Okay, they can make a vegan cheesecake...um, okay. And what of the blueberry and truffle creme brûlée? Soup- for half of us. Thin and watery- epic failure. When the servers finally cleared dessert, i waited until they took all four UNEATEN desserts, at which point I had to tell our server the deserts were bad. He clearly should have noticed and asked. Failure. Their credit card machine was broken so we had to pay via check or cash,obtained from the ATM in the bar across the street. As i walked to the ATM, our friend spoke to Chef, who was now sitting on a sofa in the lounge, chef coat removed. Our friend told chef of the multitude of issues, and not once did chef offer an apology. The sous chef came out as our friend discussed the awful creme brûlée, and the sous explained that they knew some were off because they ran out of yolks. How the hell do you run out of eggs? Truffles yes, but freaking eggs?!?!? And to then knowingly serve a flawed dish???? Unforgivable. I was informed that Chef's feelings were hurt because he received a not-so-favorable review from a Check Please diner. I can see why the review was not good. This was an awful experience. In Chef's "pity speech" he mentioned the recent loss of his father and also the loss of a valued employee...terrible things, but if you are not emotionally stable enough to give an event your best effort, then DON'T DO IT! Those events, while tragic, are no excuse. The Wednesday event was announced on Monday, so you knew damn well that perhaps you weren't ready for this. It felt like it was hastily thrown together and poorly planned. You order ingredients for 20, and then accept 35. Your sous sent flawed plates out of the kitchen, which is on you. Chef Amaury, you failed. Your team failed.

Patrick H.

I want to preface this review with, I've only ever been here for events. So, I don't know what happens normally. I found this place to be very hot in the summer. I don't know if they have AC. It's so hot. The bar is very cool looking, but the menu was very limited. The food seemed extremely over priced, and they cut off the kitchen at some point at night. So, if you get there after that you'll just be getting drinks. The server didn't seem like he even wanted to talk to me. Let alone take my order. There are literally only 2 other businesses on their side of the street. Every other business has up and left. Leaving downtown Aurora looking almost deserted, minus BallyDoyle's and the Casino. I think this place has it's fans.... and they frequent the place enought to keep it going. But unless there is something going on it never looks lively. And the seating is horrible.

Anne E.

Chef Amaury is not only a great, innovative chef, he's a delight too. At his restaurant, he personally greets and chats with the patrons. The man can work the room. And he LOVES to talk food. Speaking of food... We have eaten at this restaurant five or more times. It is consistently well done. The menu changes and farm to table ingredients are common. Pre fixe menu is typical. Salad, soup (always a highlight for us), fish (always good), meat course, and of course - dessert! The vegan cheesecake is exceptional (and we're not vegan). The Venezuelan chocolate lava cake seems to be his specialty for dessert and it is very good. Ambiance is exceptional here. It's cozy and inviting. This is the perfect date restaurant. Local artists' creations adorn the walls and the bar area is lovely. The bartenders know what they're doing and they're supremely attentive. This restaurant is a BARGAIN. $65 for a pre fixe menu of this caliber is outstandingly affordable. The wine list isn't over priced and there are great selections. This restaurant is walking distance to the Paramount theater. Go here for dinner before or after a show. Or, just to enjoy a cocktail. Amaury, if he's there, will surely chat you up. We love this place.

Lindsey G.

Wonderful, unpretentious experience. Our server was phenomenal, not to mention the food was absolutely perfect. We had the 3 course Paramount Theater special, which was plenty of food, especially for $42/person. The braised short ribs were spectacular! I'm 9 months pregnant so was unable to have any alcohol, but my husband loved his (two) old fashioneds. We will definitely be back.

Robert D.

Great Meal! The Chef here is big on using local produce and meats. The fish fresh here. We started off the meal with a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay for $55. Great wine list reasonably priced. The butternut squash soup that was finished with a chive olive oil and crispy chorizo bits. Silky smooth and made by someone that knows what he is doing. We split an order of the seared scallops that were done nicely as well. The entrees were wonderful. I had the Acorn Fed Berkshire Pork Chop from southern IL with a Vanilla Bean Rutabaga puree, Kale, with an Apple compote.Wish I had more of the puree! It was great. The wife had the Risotto with shrimp, mushrooms kale bell peppers.The vegetables were cut so not to overpower the rice. Great flavor on the risotto nice. Desserts were good I liked the Earl Gray infused Creme Brulee with white chocolate and the Peanut butter ice cream with a Concord Grape filled soft pastry. Not a big fan of that one. Caught Larry the Cable Guy @ the Paramount. Great meal after the show.We will come for the wine and the food, The menu changes so give it a shot. The bill was $112 for dinner and $55 of that was the wine. If you don't like what is put in front of you than say something to them! If you don't and post a rant then your penny wise and pound foolish. .

Katharine W.

What a delight! A perfect location to eat before a show at the Paramount Theater. Ample free parking is available in the lots behind the restaurant and it is within walking distance to the theater. We had the 5 course meal which was fabulous--every course!--and well spaced. The staff was knowledgeable and did a wonderful job making us feel welcome. Will return!

Misty S.

Fine dining in Aurora? I HAD to come try with my own taste buds. **spoiler alert** They, and my bum, left a bit disappointed. The 8 course tasting menu is $95 and the 4 course is $55. They also offer a 3 course meal between 5p-630p for $42. The décor was cozy and inviting. It was like dining at someone's house. Looking around the restaurant, most of the diners were well dressed, but I spotted a few in jeans. Has the cost of fine dining gone up so high that this restaurant was just a casual place for some? Boy, I need a raise. Then I sat down and noticed it was a wicker chair, not because I'm a chair snob or anything, but because it gave me a splinter! For some reason, I was looking forward to checking out the bathroom, so this seemed like as good a reason as any to go. Disappointment #1 - it was quite ordinary. Or maybe it was #2 since I was expecting a nice comfy soft non-biting chair. Back to the bathroom...the hallway to the bathroom actually reminded me of a scene from The Shining. No fancy sink. No fancy napkins. There was a creepy chair in there. Luckily, I found the splinter lodged in my dress and was able to remove it without further incident. Anyway, who cares about the bathroom, I came for the food. The waiter, I found out, was the son of Chef Amaury himself. He was super nice and helpful. Midway through my meal, I saw the chef talking to a talk of either regulars or friends that he knew. As he walked by our table, it was like a last minute decision that he swung around and stopped to asked how we were doing and how we heard of the restaurant. He was very nice and pleasant. Ok, on to the food. Great craft beer and wine menu. I went with the 4 course tasting menu, which was a wise choice because I was so stuffed I couldn't even finish my meal. The 4 course menu gave the following options: 1st Course -Potato Soup -Baby Greens 2nd Course -Duck -Escolar 3rd Course -Berkshire pork -Beef short rib 4th Course -Chocolate cake -Artisanal cheese -Vegan cheesecake -Vanilla panna cotta The potato soup with cured egg yolk, salmon roe, sour cream, red onion was the most creative and my favorite of the evening. The duck was just ok. The short ribs were good, but not spectacular. The vanilla panna cotta was excellent. It started and ended well, but it lacked that "fine dining" feel.

Tomi O.

So I have been here before and I will say the food was so delicious that we wanted to come back. However, we made reservations for my birthday for 10 people and it took them over a week to call back to confirm the reservation which was scary when having a "nice night out planned". So we were fully expecting the evening to be a long night tasting & drinking cocktails but wow was the service so slow and bad. To make things worse our waiter was the chefs son, does he not know the menu or how to add a check? We made reservations at 6:30 only an hour or so after the open. When we started ordering drinks and small plates they started telling us how they were out of scallops which is what I really wanted! They served one drink at a time so by the time the last out of 10 received their drink it was time for the first to order again. Ordered cheese plate and cheese was very good but didn't give us plates and there was literally 5 nuts a smear of honey & 3 berries with it ( for $17 really)! The entrees came & those who received beef & short ribs were not dissatisfied plenty of food, but because there were no scallops had to get seafood stew. It was average but left very hungry, when I think stew I think hearty and filling not broth with 2 shrimp, tiny piece of sea bass and 1 scallop. Overall for the bill being as hefty as it was I want to be impressed with service and taste of the food, I was not! We probably will not be back.

Hilary H.

Incredible. Fantastic. Radical, DUDE! Really, I have no idea what else to say. This place is GOOD. DAMN good. ohemgee. My sister took me here for my birthday, we've both been wanting to go for quite awhile. We decided on the tasting menu - the $65.00 per may seem daunting if you're not an amateur foodie as the two of us, but let me assure you, it is WORTH IT. Each and every penny. The first course was a baby arugula salad, buttery & yummy as all salads of this variety should be. Great palate cleanser to start. Course #2 was a beet soup - something I would never dream of ordering normally, but tasting menus don't always give choice, so to the table it came. It was neon red, and I was nervous. BUT THEN, I put it in my mouth (haha). And OH man, wonderful. It was carroty, earthy, buttery, yumminess. The bacon at the bottom was a great treat, too. Halfway for our Third course, we were served Escolar. Honestly, I didn't know WTF that was until I googled at the table. Deerrrr. Anyway, shoulda known, fish course. Now, I cannot stand/hate/despise/eeeew seafood. It's either rubbery, or dry, or tastes/smells like rotten crotch. This fish? To. DIE. for. Light crunch outside, tender inside. Had the RIGHT kind of fish taste, clean yet salty. If I was told I had to each fish every day for the rest of my life, THIS dish is it. On to #4 - braised short rib over goat cheese truffle mash. I was not intrigued at the menu listing, seemed ho-hum, but now I will remember to never overlook the traditional done well. The meat was melty, smooth, tender, beauty. Paired with the mash, I almost cried at the flavor profile. No, really. I NEARLY CRIED. Over food, yes. But trust you, there is a chance you will do the same at this place. Final course, dessert, has 3 options- molten cake (been there, done that), vegan cake wtih berries (kthnx no bye), and S'more Creme brulee with homemade graham cracker. Do I even NEED to review this one? Didn't think so. I will say courses 2-4 were my FAVES, not that 1 & 5 weren't also great, but because the level of cuisine was SO high. This joint is going to be TOUGH to top, both on my palette and most others. GO HERE NOW.

TB H.

Let's start the evening with a cocktail. The Old Fashion is done lovely. Ask for the "special cherries". The lobster bisque was fantastic. The broth was flavorful, seasoned nicely not overly salty, might actually be best I have had. The skate was nicely done took an average not well known fish and elevated it so another level. The beef course was over done and a bit disappointing. The dessert was delicious but I'm over the chocolate cake with molten chocolate center. It was delicious. but not innovative or new. You can get that at Chili's.

Eric S.

Thought the dining experience might be a bit pretentious but were pleasantly surprised by the warm greeting, attentive service and delicious food. We went before a show at the Paramount Theater and had the 3-course meal. Nice dining experience. We'll be back.

Kelly W.

After a very disappointing first visit here, I went with a local friend who insisted I should give it another shot. I thought the food was okay (I'm being generous, my friend liked it far better than me), not great and not terrible but average for what you should expect for such high prices. I was surprised by the decor and ambiance...very poor in my opinion. It surprised me because the restaurant is located in a blighted downtown Aurora so one would think you should have to overcome the area with an incredible ambiance inside. Service was very poor the first time, better the second time, but it seems there are customers who have low expectations because they are so desperate to say they have fine dining in downtown Aurora. For those not familiar, Aurora is run by a very corrupt mayor who has repeatedly failed with economic development and rewards contributors with contracts. It's a small town even though the population is second largest in Illinois. So, I thought about giving Chef Amaury 2 stars to be nice but then I heard him trashing people who criticize him and other bizarre statements. This was all before I read the reviews on Yelp where it's clear there is a massive ego problem. I don't wish the guy bad but when you locate in an area like downtown Aurora under the current business climate, it means you are likely trying to cut costs and corners. That's great for fast food, not fine dining. He should try locating in a competitive area and see if he can survive. If not, maybe he's an okay chef but not so good businessman.

Gary S.

Wonderful experience with both service and food. No course in the many course meal was not excellent. Scallops were my favorite

Kath M.

First off, let me say that the food was AWESOME. But before we even ordered any, our server experience was not good. We had a reservation for 4, but the staff seemed surprised that we were there and scrambled to set up our table. Then, our waiter came to the table, did not introduce himself, and when my husband attempted to small talk and asked how he was doing (he didnt ask us), he said, "fine I guess, just too busy"! WHAT? We'd heard so much about this place, the level of service, the food, and THESE were the first words we were greeted with? Not to mention that the place wasnt even busy, at 7:30. That was the tone of the whole meal...we ordered the cheese plate to start, he set it down and started to walk away, and we asked if he could tell us what was on the board, and he was put out. THEN we got no bread, and had to ask twice . Took 10 minutes, while we sat and looked at the cheese. Finally, when we complimented th fish I'd ordered and asked where it had come from, he did give us the story. We were just sort of taken aback. Seemed more like the service you'd get at Applebees from an emo teenager, not a fine dining experience. Again, the food was really good. Everyone liked everything they ordered. Wine list is great with lots of inexpensive options. Sadly, the waiter (we found out his name was Jon, or at least thats what it said on our check) made a 4-5 star experience more of a 3. Will probably give it a second chance, based on all of the good reviews, AND the really good food.

Kate P.

Walt B.

Aurora is not known for great dining. But it certainly should be. Chef Amaury Rosado has created a "Chicago-class" dining experience and anyone in the Western Burbs that loves good food prepared well and served in a friendly almost family atmosphere should come and eat at Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair. One of the biggest differences between Chef Amaury's and the Chicago restaurants is cost...the big fancy places in Chicago are more than three times the cost of dinner at Amaury's -- not to say that Amaury's is cheap...dinner for two, with drinks and wine (Amaury has an excellent wine list with really good wines from California and Chile and Australia among others)-- sets me back around $150 when I go there. It is the only reason I don't eat there more often. Amaury has a great "beer list" and an inventive wine list (where else can you get Benziger wines?). His menu changes with the seasons, and all the food is locally grown organics, except for the meats, which can come from places like Alaska for fish, and Montana for beef. His meats are naturally grown, not feedlot produced, and the tastes show. He makes a couple of duck dishes that I love-- and I hate duck. Now that the Paramount Theater in Aurora (about a block away) is doing a "Broadway at the Paramount" series, a lot of people do theater and dinner at Amaury's. I ate there last Saturday night on my way to see "A Chorus Line" and the place was jammed-- we had to eat at the bar. This is really a great restaurant. It is the equal of any in St Charles or Geneva or Naperville in the burbs, and compares well with many restaurants in downtown Chicago. Go eat there.

Pascal M.

Anyone who rates this place less than 4 stars is a fool. Amaury is an inspiration for any entreprenuer. For what he has been able to accomplish in suburbs, is utterly remarkable. He provides close to fine dining cusines at approachabel prices.His food is fantastic, the menu is always changing, and does a superb job at treating his customers like royalty. This is a perfect date spot, first or 1000th. Try this place as soon as you can.

Kenny A.

Great food and atmosphere. I like having dinner in the bar. Staff is very friendly and always makes for good conversation.

Paul G.

Absolutely amazing food, can be very disorganized and aloof in the restaurant. Food is a 5, Customer service is about a 1.5. We've been there twice and I cannot say enough positive things about the food. Both times we did the tasting menu and couldn't have been more satisfied with what we were food we were served. My problem is with the customer service and it's multi-fold. Our first visit, they were out of several drinks. They said their bartender got out of town and hadn't prepared anything. Several other types of liquor was out of stock as well on a Saturday night. That' no big deal, it happens. However, our initial sever was unable to describe several of the menu items. Luckily we had a second waiter come over who was wonderful and could explain things. However was unable to pair wines with the tasting menu. Luckily Chef Amaury came over and pointed us to a great bottle. The food, especially in regards to the immediate area, is without peer. The second time we went in (4 months later), we ran into the same problem in the bar. Several drinks couldn't be made (same excuse was used) and several ingredients were missing. We also waited (with only about 10 people in the place), almost 20 minutes before anyone asked what we wanted. Again however the food ended up being truly spectacular, but we again ran into problems again with the server not knowing the menu. The food again was superb. The final straw was this last week. We made reservations for my 40th two weeks before the Saturday we were celebrating. We got a call 2 days before the reservation to let us know it couldn't be accommodated. They offered us a seat on a Wednesday and said that's all that they could do. The only apology came in a "Well we're sorry Wednesday doesn't work fo you". When my fiancee fired off a somewhat terse email, they blamed a new reservation system, but no offers to find us another date outside of that Wednesday night or anything else was offered.. As getting a reservation at great place for a Saturday 2 days out is difficult, it pretty much killed the weekend. A friend of mine also had a problem with his credit card being triple charged by them He was initially met with the same aloof attitude from an employee until, on the second phone call, Chef Amaury stepped up and took care of the problem. Even with his involvement, It ended up being a giant pain thought getting the charges reversed and took a week's worth of phone calls to the bank. It's really too bad that stuff like this has to taint what should be one of the gems of the area. The customer service though is so sub par that I won't go back. That makes really a shame because the food is fabulous. I hope they get it together.

Jessica D.

5 course meal was great! Service was grreat.... The chef and his wife were very friendly

Arlene C.

Another great meal! Adults loved the cheese and salumi (kids ate the bread). Adults loved the lamb and the squash ravioli entrees, kids split the ocean trout. My 4 year old proclaimed "this is the best fish I've ever had" while our 6 year old finished hers and waited for the opportunity to compliment Amaury in person. Their highlight was the molten chocolate cake. They even slept the whole way home. Great meal, atmosphere and craft beer list!!!

A M.

Great Dinner. Great place for a night out.

James C.

Gourmet Food in a Suburban Strip Mall??? Yeah, weird. Went out to Chef Amaury's with a group of close friends on a Saturday night. Don't judge a book by it's cover because this place is located in a dingy strip mall and is flanked by both a Citgo and what must be the world's last remaining Ponderosa. The location is a positive for Amaury's because less overhead means unique, delicious, and quality food at a great price. Personally I would eat Thomas Keller's food in a port-o-potty if I could do it at reasonable cost. Maybe that's overstating it a bit. The menu is set up as a 5 course prie frix for $65 and can be downgraded to a 3 course for $20 less. The wine list has many reasonably priced bottles without the usual exhorbinant markups. The chef comes out and explains all the items on the menu to you in detail and answers any questions, this is a great personal touch. I felt the wine could have come out a bit quicker as we waited a bit and by the time it was being poured the salad was out. My favorite course was the sablefish over lentils. The fish was cooked perfectly. The sauce and lentils complimented the fish very well without overpowering. The braised short rib was fork tender but I felt it could have used more flavor. All in all the food was delicious. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and care in preparation. This place is a great value for a legitimately unique gourmet meal.

Tim R.

I have been many times to Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair many times both in his original location on Commons and new location in downtown Aurora. I admit I am biased in my review because I really like Chef and his family/friend that work there. But that is not the only reason I love this place. Typically chef has a pre-fix menu and individual dishes open. The prix-fix is I salad, soup, fish, meat, dessert. He always picks fresh ingredients and interesting cuts or types of fish. Often he uses his anti-griddle to make a flavored ice-cream butter to flavor a salad or fish. My favorite is the butterscotch medallions. I have never had anything I did not enjoy. My favorites have been salmon, barramundi, venison, and wagyu dishes. Each time they are fun. Chef or his staff take the time to discuss the meal and take care in mixing some interesting flavor combinations. The staff and bar tenders are friendly and keep trying different things. There is a good and growing variety of drinks, beers and wines, and they are reasonable in price and vary in styles for all types. I miss the old place, but I enjoy the new location even more. Like its surrounding downtown Aurora location, the location is on the rise and has character and charm. We love sitting outside weather permitting, but inside it is comfortable. We have had meals well dressed up as well as in jeans. We go for the prix-fix some days, or a salad and cheese plate others. (I love his cheese selections). I had attended corporate functions for lunch and dinner there, and I have used Amaury's as the location for my events several times and it was always a hit. For the price, this place is the pound for pound champ in the area for my book. In a world of chains or stuffy high end places, this place has great food prepared and served by nice peopl