For approximately 17 years, the property at 271 E. Garfield Rd. in Aurora was home to James Place, a popular wine bar and bistro that opened in 2007. For three short months, following its closure in 2023, it was home to Rockfish, a seafood venture that didn’t pan out.
Last month, Luke Haldeman took the space over and opened Inner Circle Tavern. Haldeman has worked with the 56 Kitchen group, Crumb and Spigot and other hospitality outfits. He describes the restaurant, which started out as a house, as a small, charming, word-of-mouth destination.
“We’re pretty close to what Aurora considers its downtown, but it’s a lot of residential all around us,” he explains.
The wine-bar-turned-bistro seats about 45 guests, including the bar. Chef Kyle Hilfer oversees a “globally inspired menu with French inspiration,” says Haldeman. “I tell my chef that my only rule is that the food is good.”
There are meat and cheese boards, seasonal salads, and small plates starring grilled lamb chops, housemade pâté, and tempura-fried mushrooms. Larger items feature steak au poivre, bone marrow carbonara, beef short ribs and a daily fresh fish.
“We opened kind of under the radar, but everyone is leaving overwhelmingly positive reviews,” says Haldeman. “That’s obviously nice to hear.”
Inner Circle Tavern is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
Subscribe to CLE Bites, Doug Trattner’s weekly food newsletter.
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
