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Aurora Cooks

@auroracooksny

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Culinary activities and Dining experiences in the heart of NY’s Finger Lakes region. Part of the @innsofaurora.

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Touched grass 🌾🌱🍃 Thank you to the Inns of Aurora for the most relaxing four days of spas, hiking, food, and art (and 🍷🍷🍷🍷)

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Snapshots of a spiritual and unforgettable press trip to @innsofaurora. 🤍 The Inn’s newest property, the Farmhouse, is a restored 1835 residence that celebrates wellness, design, curated art, and exceptional hospitality. The Inn’s spa brings new meaning to wellness, combining the beauty of the Finger Lakes with healing spa treatments and services. 🌾🧖‍♀️ 🚿

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✨ An Evening at Aurora Cooks ✨ @auroracooksny

Some meals are simply dinner. Others become a memory.
Our experience at Aurora Cooks in beautiful Aurora, New York, was truly something special — intimate, thoughtful, delicious, and filled with that unmistakable magic that makes you want the evening to last just a little longer.

And then there’s Chef Lou. 👨‍🍳✨ @chefloudonato

Watching her create is part of the experience itself. Every course felt intentional, beautifully prepared, and rooted in a genuine love of food and hospitality. The flavors, the presentation, the conversation, the laughter — everything came together effortlessly around the table.

There is something wonderfully personal about watching a meal come to life right in front of you and then sharing it with people you love. It reminds you that the very best dining experiences aren't only about what is on the plate — they're about connection, storytelling, place, and the people gathered around the table.

Aurora already holds a special kind of magic, but an evening at Aurora Cooks with Chef Lou makes it even more unforgettable.
Beautiful food. Wonderful company. An incredible chef.
And one of those nights you wish you could simply bottle up and keep. 🥂
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#food #foodporn #chef #foodie #lifestyle ✨

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Enjoyed a perfect start to our Cayuga County day with a breakfast of Croque Monsieur quiche and Turkish Delight tarts at Northville Arts Center before heading to two east Cayuga Lake wineries.

At Bright Leaf Vineyard, owner Michael Wilson led us through a comparative testing of Finger Lakes Riesling, Merlot, and Sparkling. Despite lining up against some legendary wineries, Bright Leaf wines excelled with our panel of wine writers.

Perhaps it is because the winery sits on the site of a former commercial limestone quarry. The 2020 Bright Leaf Merlot and 2023 Dry Riesling were exceptional. And, oh, that view!

Treleaven Wines is more than a winery. You can enjoy superb wines, but also a wide selection of craft beer and food from their onsite restaurant. Their famed Hangtime pavilion is perfect for enjoying the weekly live entertainment.

Wines range from bone dry to sweet. Lev Saltonstall is in charge of running the family winery. He served a wide range of wines. My top two were the ML+ Riesling, which uses malolactic fermentation to deliver a luscious rounded flavor. The 2023 Petite Sirah, with a touch of added Gerwurztraminer, is a savory and juicy beauty.

Chef Lou Ruscitto-Donato helped us finish on a high note at Aurora Cooks. Our chef's table meal was a gastronomic delight. The tomato pappardelle with homemade pasta and onion ash was a delight. The seared Grassland Farm chicken on a creamed corn puree was a showstopper.

To finish, we dug into corn ice cream. Each dish was expertly paired with local wines.

#tourcayuga
#foodandwine
#fingerlakes
#drinklocal

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One of those weekends you wish lasted longer🤍

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An amazing experience at @auroracooksny with Chef Lou!🍷 @innsofaurora #fingerlakes #cookingexperience #aurorany #innsofaurora

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End of the holiday season & New Year’s traditional spa trip with @prisoncity_schulzy . This year = @innsofauroraspa for the day, @innsofaurora / Rowland House overnight, @auroracooksny for a Chef’s table dinner, & @fargobargrill for a night cap. Adios 2025 & bring on 2026 🍻🥂💕🎆 #spa #reset #newyear

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First day of Riesling harvest at Long Point 🍇✨ A year’s worth of sweat, sun, and science all coming together.
The view over Cayuga Lake is unmatched, the Riesling crafted here is savored by thousands, and today we turn hard work into liquid art. 🍷🌊
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#HarvestDay #FingerLakesWine #Riesling #CayugaLake #LongPointWinery

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The best 3 course meal cooked by Chef Lou. Great company, food and drink

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A snapshot of our beautiful dinner @auroracooksny 🥂 #aurorany #cookingexperience #chefsofinstagram @innsofaurora

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A much needed girls weekend at the @innsofaurora & @innsofauroraspa 🧖🏻‍♀️✨❤️

What’s your vibe for a girls weekend?

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Microgreens and Shoots Available Now ✨
• Mild Mix
• Arugula
• Pea 🌱 Shoots
• Sunflower 🌻 Shoots

▫️DM📲 to Order
▫️Free Delivery or Pickup

Microbabe 💚

#elevateyourmeals #elevateyourlife #organic #microgreens #microbabemicrogreens

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