Aura Thai

I love this place. I used to work nearby and I would go at least once a week. I've tried nearly everything on the menu and I think the only thing I didn't care for much was the crispy egg noodle dish. Everything else is awesome. Try the steamed fish. I would almost always do take-out because the place is mobbed at lunch time. (good sign, right?)

Pros: Delicious food, friendly staff, quick prep

Cons: Lunch time crowd is insane due to popularity

Posted 03/25/09

I've been here twice, and both times I had ordered the panang curry . Thai food is my favorite, and their panang curry is definitely one of the best I've ever tried. They have a large menu selection here, and prices were fair. Staff is very nice and helpful.
Great Thai food for the price. I'd definitely recommend this place to friends.

Posted 09/16/08

I received a gift certificate for this restaurant, so we decided to check it out. We were seated on the lower level, up against the stairs. It was crowded, the tables are very close together, and it was quite noisy. We were sat right next to a big party- not romantic at all. The food and drinks were okay, a bit over priced, but what isn't in New York??! The customer service was great and much appreciated, but the environment was a let-down.

Posted 04/27/08

I work in the area and order from Aura about twice a week. I often get the chicken with cashew nuts (not a lunch special, but irresistible), pad see ew, or one of the currys, but I have tried most of the menu. Almost all the dishes are fantastic and unlike other modestly priced restaurants the quality is consistent. The staff is industrious and pleasant although given the small size of the restaurant and the volume of business they often have to be brisk. I am no one special, but they know my name and always take time to say hello.
Tip: I order before I go the restaurant and bring my food back to the office.

Pros: Excellent thai food for a modest price, pleasant staff, clean and active ambience

Cons: small space, very busy at lunch time

Posted 02/26/08

This neighborhood is really up and coming (on its way there; not there yet). There's not a ton of folks walking by, so Aura is sort of a hidden treasure, but it's great for the Penn Station and Javits Center crowds. My husband and I actually live down the street, and this is one of our favorite spots for lunch. The broths are a little bland, but I love the Pad See Ew (sp?) and the dumplings, and he LOVES the lemongrass chicken. We actually ordered delivery for the first time tonight, and it was unbelievably fast. Definitely one of the best thai places around. They have a sister restaurant on 39 and 9 that's got good lunch specials too.

Pros: Fast delivery, tasty sauces

Cons: bland broth, so-so service

Posted 01/19/08

This is one of my favorite lunch time spots when I'm at work. The food is sooo good. I almost always get the lemongrass chicken (I'm hungry thinking about it!), and when I feel like breaking my non-dairy diet I get the coconut ice cream with sweet sticky rice for dessert- it's amaaaaazing! They also have a fried banana dessert that is really good. Their pad thai is mediocre, but everything else that I have had their is excellent. Also reccomend the Tom Yum soup. The service isn't the best, but it's not that bad either. If you're in the neighborhood, definitely try this out.

Pros: Great food!

Posted 12/23/07

Was at the Javitt's Center a few months back. Got hungry and began to dread the food I'd probably be eating at one of the areas around Penn Station. Suddenly got the craving for Indian food and walked into one of the hotels to ask for a recommendation. They sent me to a Pakistani restaurant, but I didn't like the atmosphere. Suddenly, I saw Aura. Ooooh, that looks nice, I thought. The thing I love about Thai food is that it's so reliable. The food was great when I had expected to be eating deli food or cheap fast food from somewhere else. Instead, I was awarded a quiet atmosphere, tasty cuisine (esp. the soup), and quick service. Totally recommended!

Pros: Good atmosphere, quick service

Cons: Area around it doesn't have much, but it's a good choice if you happen to be there~!

Posted 05/09/07

I LOVE this place. I ate here at least 7 times in two weeks (I lost count after a while). The food is fresh, tasty, not expensive and the staff is very nice and helpful. It's the perfect place to eat a casual wonderful healthy meal then get a cupcake for dessert next door at Michael London's :). I got the Lemongrass Chicken every time but also sampled the green curry and the pad thai. All were terrific. I live in LA and will come here a few times whenever I'm in nyc on business for sure. Thanks Aura!

Pros: Affordable, Healthy, Service, Food, EVERYTHING.

Cons: NONE!

Posted 04/04/07

An excellent lunch spot -- the prices are very reasonable and the portions are large. The beef salad and the curries are particularly good. Pad Thai is good, but not great. The meat quality is pretty good, too -- sometimes it can be questionable at Asian take-out joints. Not much to speak of visually, but that's the neighborhood. Spice levels are refreshingly strong, and it's a good sign that if you want to go hotter than normal, they use fresh chilis and don't just shake on more flakes. Definitley recommended if you're in the area.

Posted 03/27/07

I love this west-side gem. Before a night out, grab a beer or glass of wine here because the food here is almost amazing. I have to say almost 'cause sometimes I have to add some spice to the red curry. But the green curry gives me the extra kick and hits the spot. Got a cold? Go for green curry duck. Fore appetizers, try 'em all -- hoy jor, shumai, duck roll (I'm a big fan of duck). Not too crazy about the veggie dumplings, but the grilled eggplant is awesome.

Pros: Fusion food, friendly staff

Cons: Small dining area

Posted 01/06/07

The lunch specials are a bargain at this tiny cafe. I always order my food 20-30 mins ahead of time because it's so busy... but well worth the wait. (Have you seen the line??) My favorite is the pad see ew chicken and duck noodle broth. For 6.95, you can't go wrong -- even when it's raining outside and the service is a bit slower... which is understandable. My advice? Just order by phone and pick up your food. I have to go back for dinner!

Pros: GREAT FOOD and prompt service

Cons: Extremely busy during lunch

Posted 01/06/07

I ate at Aura for dinner last Thursday and was pleasantly pleased. Their prix fixe holiday menu was a bargain, but other dishes on the regular menu are equally impressive. I enjoyed my jap chae (the beef is so tender!), mango with tofu salad and fried ice cream. The food is Thai, but with an international spin. Definitely will be back.

Posted 01/04/07

Lets forget about Burgers and Cupcakes for a moment and concentrate on the friendly Thai Neighbor that is Aura Thai. The food is fab, the place is cute, and the service is wonderful. One more thing: Good prices!

Pros: Price, Food, Service

Cons: Small, Not For Groups

Posted 12/29/06

My best bud and I have no shame. We just moved into a nice condo on 10th Ave, and have been grabbing three or four dinners from Aura every week for the past month. The food's that good. I get the beef salad and a side of jasmine rice 'cause the sirloin is, hands down, the best I've had. When I'm in the mood for sauteed noodles, I order the pad see ew chicken. All the flavors are just right. My tastebuds agree. Awesome service.

Pros: Delivery for dinner takes no more than twenty minutes; delicious food and desserts

Cons: Small dining area.

Posted 07/19/06

My girlfriends and I visit Aura every Thursday night after happy hour. We take the 1/9 from Columbia and walk a coupla blocks down from 34th. We don't really go there to take in the atmosphere since it fits a limited number of people. Just go there for the food! My fave dishes are the Panang Curry with brown rice and Pad Cashew. If you ask for extra spicy, they'll give it to you the right way. (I'm 1/4 Thai and that's the way my mom makes it.) I can't ask for a better, more authentic place. When you're thousands of miles away from home, it's nice to have a place that offers gourmet meals at decent prices.

And for dessert, mango with sweet sticky rice, please.

Pros: Great food, affordable prices

Cons: Sort of small

Posted 07/01/06

I ordered from Aura about three times this week and my co-workers laugh at me for being so consistent and boring. I can't help it. The food is to die for!!! (especially the chicken noodle soup). Oh, I can never have enough of their desserts.

Pros: Free wine

Cons: Limited seating

Posted 06/25/06

I don't know about other people's experiences, but when I went there after watching some soccer with friends today, we left the Aura full and satisfied. I mean, it's not the fanciest place on the block so my expectations were minimal. Everything was great. The girls there were sweet to us and accommodated our party of six -- even when the place was full. I ordered the Massamun shrimp... I never had it with avocados before. The curry was so rich and tasty. We got a little tipsy off of their wine selection and a couple rounds of Singha. We all walked out with menus and business cards. Def will go back with my in-laws to try their famous duck dishes.

Pros: Accommodating, friendly service, outrageously good food

Cons: Hard to find parking, closes early -- 11pm -- so no late night snacking

Posted 06/24/06

The food at this restaurant is excellent however the service leaves much to be desired. I frequent this restaurant at minumum 2x and at maximun 4x's a week. Unfortunately today I experienced the worst level of service I ever have in my life at any restaurant. The waitress at the bar was very nasty to me because she mistakenly took an order for thai ice tea from me when I asked for thai lemonade in a to-go cup. She tried to argue with me and insisted that I in fact ordered two beverages at the same time. I decided to let it go but when my bill came the ice tea was still on it. She snatched the bill out of my hand and corrected it. When I gave her my payment I explained to her that her attitude was uncalled for and not appreciated. She simply waved her hand and walked away from me in the middle of me talking. I asked to speak with the manager but I was informed that there was no manager on site. This disrespectfuly service has caused me to decide that I cannot go back there.

Pros: Good food

Cons: Terrible Service

Posted 06/18/06

My family goes there for dinner 'cause the restaurant isn't too spacious. I think their service has improved tremendously over the past few months, but you have to be patient. Try their Thai iced tea (not too sweet but just perfect), Duck Salad and Pad Thai. (I know they're boring choices, but Aura's got the basics to a T.

FAVE dining spot on the weekends!!!

Pros: nice decor, good AC, friendly staff

Cons: NONE

Posted 06/18/06

I walked by Aura last week, read some raving reviews posted on their storefront and decided to try some of their specialties. A bit skeptical of food critics but in absolute agreement. The duck roll, duck noodle broth and mango salad get me so excited. They've got me hooked, and now, the waitresses know me by name. Lunchtime seems to be really hectic so I stop by to grab some take out before heading home.

Pros: Comfy and casual, perfect for pre-MSG event or post-shopping at 34th

Cons: limited seating but worth the wait

Posted 06/14/06

I found this place purely by accident. Dining options aroundMSG/Penn station arent the greatest, but Aura is a cute place with really good food.I usually dont venture over to 9th but glad I did

Pros: food, ambience, close to Penn Station

Cons: not alot of tables

Posted 06/14/06