A Transporting Experience At Aureole

Every once in a while, a restaurant comes along that delivers much more than fine dining. Earlier this week, my friend Cindy and I enjoyed a truly transporting experience at Aureole.

Aureole: This five-star restaurant has a deserved reputation for epitomizing Classic New York

Nestled in a two-story brownstone on NYC’s Upper East Side, Aureole is celebrating its twentieth year as renowned chef Charlie Palmer’s flagship restaurant. The sublime menu -- American and French fusion with rich, unexpected flavors and combinations -- is only part of this elegant venue’s story.

Cindy and I marveled at Aureole’s solicitous staff, elevating food presentation to an art form. Our decadent three-course meal (worth the $100+ per person tab) was served by four people, each of whom described in enticing detail what they were bringing us.

A view of Aureole's inviting two-story space (photo courtesy: Shanna Ravindra/New York Magazine)

After enjoying a slice of seared tuna compliments of the chef, we moved onto appetizers of oxtail broth and Kobe beef carpaccio. For our entrée, we both chose the pan roasted monkfish with lobster and autumn squash risotto and vanilla infusion. Heavenly.

Over dinner, Cindy and I talked about upcoming trips (Brazil for the holidays with her beau, Australia for me on business in January), the concert we most want to see (U2) and shared gratitude for job security in these tough economic times.

Somehow, we managed to find room for our decadent desserts -- warm brownie sundae with spiced chai ice cream and extra dark chocolate sauce, and a trio of apple infused sweets including funnel cake and pie.

Cindy and I were also given individually wrapped mini pumpkin coffee cakes to take home -- a delicious souvenir of an unforgettable evening at one of my new all-time favorite restaurants.