Reviews for Aura Restaurant & Lounge in Clive, IA

Sat solo at the bar, but great service and great food! Had the pork dumplings, Korean Fried Cauliflower and Chicken Rigatoni.... All great, but if you only try one, it’s the dumplings. Thank me later. Read more

Delicious food and amazing service. We had a big group: some got entrees and some shared tapas. I was one sharing tapas, and... legitimately every single food item was amazing. Great cocktails too. I recommend the lamb lollipops, dumplings, and mini beefwellington from the tapas menu. They have great vegetable sides, and oh my lord the chocolate lava cake was to die for. We had alovely experience, served by the professional, charming, knowledgeable, and attentive Jason. Great dinner spot with an elegantatmosphere. Read more

Great atmosphere with a friendly staff. They have a numerous specialty cocktails and a good wine selection. I had the filet and... it was good. The cut wasn't the best and the tenderness suffered because of it. Their sides were a nice compliment. Their friesonion strings were light and crispy. Their mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery. We will definitely be back. Read more

The service was great, our waitress made very good recommendations without trying to upsell us on every dish. The drinks... cocktails were well crafted and the old fashioned was served very well with the smoke, great presentation. Food was fantasticoverall and the portions were a good size definitely not large. The one thing that could be better is the 90 dollar surf andturf dish could come with a better vegetable side dish of some sort. There was a tiny amount of mashed potatoes that the lambwas served on but more would be very welcome. Read more

Was in town for 4 days and went here 3 of them. The first two visits were 5 stars ???? great food and great service. ... Everything was top shelf. The 3rd visit had a few issues. Most of the food was good but some of it needed to be returned andwe passed on it coming back. They were short staffed which is unfortunate but that doesn't seem to ever change the check. Wewaited patiently but canceled a round of drinks and settled for the check. The manager did come over and apologize and theywere very nice but at the end of they day, if you are spending $250.00 I really don't want to hear about the problems you haveand why things were not up to par. I want to enjoy the evening that I am paying for. Business today are two quick to blamestaff or hiring shortages but yet prices keep increasing and they say that is so they can pay their wages. Forgive me but ifyou are charging more and still have less staff, you are actually making more and service is lower. This is not a sustainablebusiness model. Went to Smitty's for lunch and every table was full, people waiting, standing up, taking seats as fast aspeople got up, and they had 2 servers who also bussed the tables and ran the cash register. I guarantee that more people wentthrough there in 3 hours and everyone seemed satisfied with their food, service and dining experience. It isn't the people youdon't have, it is up to the people you do have. Read more

Gonna start with 5 stars. This was take out and didn't get into the big entrees, will update as I plan on going back. Got the... honey chicken lavash, pretty good but was looking for a little more honey flavor and maybe some spice. The chicken sliders werepretty good. Korean cauliflower was good and the ginger pork dumplings were nice (dipping sauce was outstanding). Staff wasvery accommodating and attentive even though this was takeout. Unique menu. Recommended as there is a nice variety on this menu.Looking forward to my next visit. Read more

Tried the Lavash, Lamb Pops, and Chicken Rigatoni. All were quite delicious. Service from the bartender and server were... great. Old fashioned was fantastic. Read more

The smoked whiskey, although overpriced in my opinion, is one of our favorite drinks. I want to have more than one when I come,... but not at that price! Food has always been great, and service is phenomenal! Read more