Symposium Café Restaurant & Lounge – Aurora

My husband and I have been to the Symposium Café many times since it opened. We have been for breakfast, lunch and dinners and never Ordered anything that we haven’t enjoyed. The breakfast they serve is excellent. We have been to a few places in Aurora for breakfast but decided the Symposium is the best.
The wait staff that we have had serve us have always been friendly and helpful as well. We certainly would recommend this restaurant to our friends.

Oh this café. I really dislike giving negative reviews. This was my second time visiting and my last. Myself and four girlfriends met up after work on a Friday, just before 5pm. Amongst us we ordered lattes and beer, while waiting for our 5^th member to arrive. We then went on to have some apps and dessert. While our server was kind, we were asked strange questions — «the cook is wondering if you’re ordering from the menu or having dessert» which begged the question — is the chef looking to head home? We were then asked if we would be on separate bills — normal question! But then our bills were brought to us. The server explained we were welcome to stay until close (1am) but she was heading home for the night. Afterwards, we had one woman poke her head over but no one else returned to see if we needed more drinks. Just over 30 minutes after our server left, a gentleman who I assume is the manager asked how we were doing — my friend mentioned that no one had come around to offer us another round. He then asked us how long we were planning to stay — that a reservation was coming in 10 – 15 minutes. When said friend then mentioned the poor service, there was no real compassion. We were only there for 2 hours and would have loved to stay and chat with another beer! Sorry symposium. I was iffy to come back, and my feelings served true. I will not be returning!

It’s not me, it’s you, Symposium.
Again with the interesting service??? My same group of girlfriends and I returned here this evening for a mixture of appys, desserts, tea and brews. While my beer & carrot cake were good, I still can’t get over how poor their service is.
Although we hadn’t asked for our bills, I can understand a shift change and having to settle up. What irked me is that after about 45 minutes of being server-​less, we were given the boot! Our previous server had said there was no rush and that they were open until 1am for business. The owner, who possesses poor people skills, came to ask how things were. My girlfriend responded saying if we had a server, we’d be better. We sat for some time and could’ve enjoyed a second pint. He then told us it was time to go because another reservation was coming in.
The five of us watched from the window outside and saw four servers clean away our table. Four. Why couldn’t one of those four help us? Lord knows symposium can’t get a clue.
That all, folks. Their carrot cake can’t redeem this one.
C ya never.

Congrats, Symposium Aurora. You have received my first 1-​star review.
I went here with 4 other girlfriends, tonight. Yes, I left that upset that I had to write my review right away.
My crepes and ice cream were fine. Nothing above average, but fairly priced, so no complaints.
The service however, was atrocious. Our server was barely audible and had a really blasé attitude. She wrapped up her shift so we cashed out at about 6:30. At 7:15, after no one had checked in on us, one of the managers approached us asking us how much longer we’d be. After seeing our shocked faces he proceeds to tell us he has a reservation he’d like to sit here. Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t exactly hopping, there were LOTS of other tables. But I was wearing my work sweater so I couldn’t exactly be aggressive about it.
Our convo went something like this:
Manager: How much longer will you be because I have a reservation in 10 – 15 minutes and I’d like to seat them here:
Samm: We would have ordered another drink if a server had come around.
M: … *stares at me*
S: We were told by our other server that we could stay here till 1am if we wanted!
M: *laughs at my comment*
S: The service here is very poor…
M: I’m sorry you feel that way.
We proceeded to leave vowing never to come back. I know I’m not the first to write a bad review, but seriously… SOMETHING needs to change here.
***I have updated this post saying that the first of our friends was told when she arrived that this man was actually the owner… need I say more about that general attitude? If his people skills are that lacking, no wonder the service is that terrible.

Really enjoyed this new restaurant. Excellent service, very good tasty food, and not out of this world pricing. It’s so clean inside. The décor is beautiful and so welcoming. It’s definitely my new spot.

I tend to review when things are either great or very bad. As the single star indicates, my experience at Symposium was the latter. 7 adults and 3 children met for brunch today. 4 adults were served their food an hour+ after arriving while the remaining 3 waited an additional 45 minutes for theirs.
Of the 4 initially served, two omelettes were stone cold, although the plates were warm so it was obvious they had been sitting under an ineffective warmer for ages. The cold omelettes were removed, subjected to microwave treatment and then returned, which for my seat mate meant the microwaving of everything on her plate including the salad, fruit and toast. If you have never eaten microwaved eggs, salad, fruit or toast, please spare yourself and don’t.
The 3 kids meals of grilled cheese were not grilled and better resembled a cold cheese sandwich with one slice of crappy cheese each.
The waitress kept telling us the kitchen was having a bad day, which happens, but she took no responsibility for our experience other than saying it was the kitchens fault. Why her excuse rings hallow is that other than being friendly and often overly so, she was not very good at her job. We sat without cutlery, water and coffee/​tea was not delivered after multiple requests, plates were not cleared, request to speak with the manager never materialized in any action until we got up to go look for one.
The net, of the 10 dishes ordered, 3 were comped. It should have been 5 — the 2 microwaved omelettes as well as the 3 dishes which were delivered 45 minutes later than the others.
PS — we were celebrating a cousins soon-​to-​be-​born second baby. Our reservations were made in advance and of the 3 adults not delivered their brunch within 1.5 hrs, was the 9 month pregnant lady.
PPS. There were two managers on the floor and neither of them came to our table to check in or apologize
PPPS It wasn’t busy and there were a substantial number of open tables although our waitress kept telling us they were sooooooo busy ???
Perhaps dinner is better but if you are considering brunch, I urge you to reconsider.

I really love that we are finally getting places to eat and drink, in this area (beyond sports bars) that are open late even during weekdays. Symposium Café, I understand, is a chain, but this was my first time being in one. A friend of mine highly recommended it, and what was supposed to be a coffee, ended up being a few appetizers, dessert, and coffee.
We ordered mussels marinara, an order of fries, and chicken tenders, but before I talk about the food itself…
I’m just going to get the «bad» out of the way first,. And before I do, please know that the staff completely fixed the issue and were sympathetic (which I will touch on more later) so before reading further, just understand that this is really no ones fault but the managements.
The mussels arrived and were good (not the best but FAR from bad). Fries are fries and they were totally fine as well — especially the dipping sauce they come with! really tasty. But as for the chicken tenders…
Okay, there’s no nice way to say this: for $ 12, you get a single chicken breast, cut into 4 – 6 pieces, dredged in barely seasoned flour. So not only do you feel cheated for paying $ 12 for a single chicken breast, but it’s not even a GOOD chicken breast. You know what I’m totally fine with for $ 12? Those giant frozen chicken tenders you can get literally anywhere. On what planet is charging $ 12 for 5 small pieces of chicken okay? Either adjust the product to reflect the price or take it off the menu, please. that is just about my only gripe, and it was just one item, so it definitely wasn’t the worst thing to happen during a dining experience. I just don’t like feeling cheated, as a patron. So if you go here: steer clear of that item! Our server was kind enough to swap them for wings, and the wings were totally fine and enjoyable. So it’s odd to me that they choose to charge that price for that, when everything else is totally reasonable and perfectly fine.
Having said that, the friend I was with and myself are definitely not ones to complain but there was no way we were going to pay $ 12 for a cut up chicken breast. Our server was a SAINT about it — She completely understood and swapped it for chicken wings with no issues at all. Actually, our server was very friendly and attentive the entire time we were there. I also liked that after she brought our bill she made a point to make us feel welcome to stay at our leisure. So I’d have to say the service, for my first time there, was ¹⁰⁄₁₀.
we ended with splitting a chocolate brownie cheesecake and ice cappuccino — both were really good (but I’m biased because I’d eat my own foot if it were covered in cheesecake). I promise it’s good, though.
The atmosphere is nice! comfortable and clean, which is all I really care about when dining out. Price wise… I can’t say it’s expensive or inexpensive to eat here. It’s on the cusp of ‘reasonable’ but a little on the higher end. So, do with that what you will.
The reason I am giving 3 stars is because: 1. the food was perfectly good and standard, but not outstanding. 2. MOSTLY because I’ve only been once (and consistency is hugely important to me). If I go again — and I do fully intend to return — and the service was just as good, and the food was about the same or better, then I’ll absolutely bump the rating up to 4!
definitely recommend you at least try it out!

Gotta love a good Eggs Benny in nice surroundings, with good service at a good price. Isn’t this what the game is all about? I knew lunch would be around 3 PM, so I needed a Brekky to hold me over.
Symposium was on the way, and looked better than your typical Daybreak. Better interior, better coffee, and just a better overall experience.
I asked my attentive server if the Hollandaise was fresh made or synthetic. I was assured it was fresh, so I was in. My Benny arrived with crisp potatoes and 3 eggs on thick back bacon and English muffins. Normally I see lesser joints charging more for only 2 eggs – this is a deal!
In comparison, I will never again eat Eggs Benedict at Cora’s or Bagel World or Daybreak or Sunset Grill. They are all great places, but real Hollandaise for less cash is a win anyway you serve it!