How to Have a Great Meal in a Charming Space: Aubriana’s, Downtown Wilmington
Aubriana's, 115 South Front St.
A couple of weeks ago I went to Aubriana’s in downtown Wilmington. I’ve been wanting to try this place since it opened a year ago. Finally, it happened, and I couldn‘t be more thrilled with my experience there. (I recently joined Dine Wilmington Foodies Group, a group of folks who go out to lunch and dinner and brunch regularly; Aubriana‘s was our last outing. Check out this Meetup Group here.)
OK, so the food was amazing – warm duck confit salad, Oysters Rockefeller, petite filet served with a veal demi-glace and mashed potatoes, lemon — or was it limoncello? — sorbet. Every bite luscious. Also lovely was the outdoor patio on an ideal Wilmington fall night, just perfect for a group our size. The inside is just as charming and lovely; I look forward to enjoying that space my next time there!
We were around 30 people, and from my perspective, each course came out beautifully prepared, and perfectly timed. Which is no easy thing to do with a group this size. The service was very good, under what could be trying circumstances. I say that as someone who’s worked in the service industry for many years, and it can be very difficult to wait on a group this large. But our servers handled it beautifully; all were patient and helpful and kind. And at the end of the meal, since it was the restaurant’s official one-year anniversary, they brought out bubbly and shared with all of us — very cool. Then we toasted their excellent food, gracious service, and their success despite trying circumstances, and a good time was had by all!
The toast felt especially meaningful, because lots of things transpired to make this restaurant fail, but it didn’t. They opened in what were, arguably, the worst possible economic times. Chef Hakim Clemmons died suddenly in April. People told them they wouldn’t make it. But it’s a year later, and from my experience, and that of others I’ve talked to, they are thriving, and doing well.
New executive chef Alex Succop, formerly of Siena, who came onboard in late spring, was among Wilmington’s top ten chefs for 2009, as chosen by readers of Wilmington magazine the Star-News. You can read more about Alex here. And check out Aubriana’s menus, wine list, and photos of their lovely space here.
Go here for a fabulous meal in a beautiful setting, and, Bon Appétit!
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