“Nestled in the heart of downtown Manchester, Connecticut, Cafe Aura offers an exquisite dining experience perfect for celebrating special occasions, such as anniversaries. Nestled in a renovated building, Cafe Aura impresses patrons right from the moment they step through the door.The ambiance of the restaurant is elegant yet cozy, with a touch of sophistication in its decor. The renovation of the building is indeed noteworthy, as it seamlessly blends modern elements with classic charm. It's evident that attention to detail was a priority, and it certainly pays off.A highlight of Cafe Aura is undoubtedly the bar. With a fantastic selection of drinks and a welcoming atmosphere, it sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. The Blood Orange Martini, in particular, stands out as a delightful choice, perfectly balanced and refreshing.As for the food, Cafe Aura truly shines with its authentic Italian cuisine. We indulged in a variety of dishes, each one exceeding expectations. The Risotto was creamy and flavorful, while the Lobster was cooked to perfection, showcasing the chef's skill and expertise. The Beet Salad provided a refreshing contrast, and the Calamari, sourced fresh, was a true delight for the senses.Furthermore, the wine list at Cafe Aura is extensive and well-curated, offering something for every palate. Whether you're a connoisseur or simply looking to enjoy a glass with your meal, you won't be disappointed.Overall, our experience at Cafe Aura was nothing short of exceptional. From the impressive renovation of the building to the impeccable service and delectable cuisine, every aspect exceeded our expectations. Hats off to the team at Cafe Aura for creating such a remarkable establishment. We look forward to returning for many more memorable celebrations in the future.Parking: Loads of parking in the back.“
“Love going to this well-established neighborhood bar/Italian restaurant. I live fairly close by. I treat myself once or twice a month here. I absolutely love the service, food and portion size. I eat my meal, and always have a take out portion for two more meals. The booths are roomy, and don't get me started on how good the mini baguette rolls are. Readers GO HERE. The bar side is always HOPPING! I may sit in there next time. Watch out!“
“"When the promise is broken, you go on living But it steals something from down in your soul" (Bruce Springsteen) If the name of your business promises "Giant Grinders", well you better damn deliver on that promise, right? You'll get no broken promises from CJ's Pizza and Giant Grinders, because their grinders sure do deliver on your expectations. They have 25 different grinders that truly are GIANT and sold in half ($9ish) or whole ($17-$19ish) sizes. Grinders are served with Lettuce, Tomatoes and Cheese, with Peppers and Onions by request. I stopped by for two "half sized" grinders yesterday, a Giant Ham and Provolone with lettuce, tomato, and onions, and an equally Giant Italian Combo with lettuce, tomato, onions, peppers, and jalapenos. The portions were huge. The half grinders are quite big and are piled very high with the goods, so a half of the half will be enough for a great meal. Our two sandwiches ran around $23 after the extras and tax, but we are getting 4 meals out of that $23. They also sell pizzas and some very nice salad varieties and pasta dinners with sausage and meatballs. It's a very nice old school pizza/grinder joint and the folks I interacted with were super friendly and welcoming.“
“The staff are all pleasant. Pizza and boneless wings are good. Chicken parm was my favorite but they recently changed the sauce, not a fan now. I feel like there food is going down hill a little.. maybe new cook or food supplier.. grinders have always been on the skimpy side though. When I ordered last week everything was slightly different than it used to be a short time ago. Hopefully they make a comeback.“
“We love Joey Garlics, but don't ordered a hamburger. Ordered our daughter one off the kids menu and came out so krispy she couldn't eat it. They sent out another one. The second one looked better. But underneath still krispy, plus tasted gross. Not sure what was wrong with it. Everything else was delicious and really enjoyed.“
“I used to work here like 15 years ago. The quality of the food was fantastic. I see a lot of rude comments people say about Robert and his wife they where so nice to me when I worked there, people have to understand it's a small family business and they have been working hard to give manchester ct good food, so take it easy people.“
“Great value for the money. Portion sizes when it comes to slices are larger than most other pizza joints. Flavors are on point. My three year old loves the cheese slices and totally eats 2 slices on Fridays as a treat after a whole week of eating regular food. I love that I can get what toppings I want on my slices. Great joint, unpretentious, consistent with great hours. Parking is my only concern as there is not an abundance of it.“
“This review is mainly about our waiter Gabe, we went to the Manchester location on 3/23 around 8 pm, he was amazing! On point with the drinks and the food and just balanced all his tables accordingly, someone give this guy a raise! I haven’t had a good waiter or waitress in a long time and it was impressive. 10 out of 10!“
“First timer, heard so many good reviews and did not disappoint!! Our waitress was wonderful and attentive. They gave our appetizer to the wrong table in error and the owner came right over and gave us another on the house. Food was delicious. And ate every bit. A+ and will definitely be back and recommend! The jazz band was fabulous!! We enjoyed our night out!“