Planning Visit to NYC - March. Need Rec's...Aureole worth a visit?

[tennisgal1206]

How is Aureole? We have reservations for Sat 3/22. Is it as good as it used to be? What to order?

Also - need rec's on best NYC pizza close to Grand Hyatt (near GCT). Thanks!!

[RGR]

For pizza, Naples 45 is nearby. I've not been there, but Hounds who have say the pizza very good.

http://www.rapatina.com/naples45/

[LeahBaila]

For pizza, check out Angelo's

www.thelunchbelle.com

[Nikitenka]

My BF and I ate at Aureole a few days before Christmas time looking for a nice, sorta-special holiday meal. We got the tasting menu with wine pairings and were generally very pleased with the food and the pairings, although we wouldn't have minded a little more attention from the waitstaff and a slower pace. Unfortunately I cannot compare to the "good old days" as was my first time.

I must say it was a bit of an older crowd (we were there at 7PM on a Friday) interspersed with a few families with small children (well behaved) and a few older men there with their "nieces". I enjoy a warm, quiet atmosphere and tend to shy away from places that are heavy on "scene" and attitude. Don't like waitstaff hovering for no reason or having to listen to loud conversation from the table next to me, so on those fronts Aureole compared well to some of the other fine dining experiences we've had.

In the end I would rate it decent value - yes you could probably do better elsewhere for the money but if you seek out the intangibles described above you might find it an enjoyable experience.

[tennisgal1206]

OK, this is making me a little nervous. For this kind of money, I want to be WOWed.

Any other suggestions for something at this price point? I need to move on this quick, I've already called Gramercy Tavern and they don't have anything until 10:30 pm....which is way too late.

Need Chowhounder help, fast!

[MMRuth]

Did you try EMP? I had a good, but not outstanding, meal at Aureole. Also look into the dining room at Aquavit - had a wonderful meal there in December, though didn't get around to posting about it. Alto is another idea - amazing Italian.

[tennisgal1206]

I was able to snag a reso at Eleven Madison Park - so now I have to decide between that and Aureole.

Chowhounders help - EMP vs Aureole?

[LeahBaila]

EMP for sure...There's always Aureole in Vegas if you ever feel the need to go

www.thelunchbelle.com

[MMRuth]

I agree - go with EMP.

[10yrresident]

I was last at Aureole about a year ago and was not particularly impressed. I think that at this point it caters mainly to tourists and the expense account crowd. If you are going to spend that kind of money, I think you could do better.