Syrian hand-pie place in Hyde Square closes

We get it. It was Syrian owned.

Why? Wasn't it Blue Nile before that? I'm sad. Such good food.

I will miss those fine folks and their delectable selections, but I will mourn the fried cauliflower. If that fryer is still on site, I hope the next occupants of the space find a way to keep that tradition as long as possible.

Best wishes to the Aurum team.

Sad, but not unexpected. They were a little too niche to survive long-term and their business model contradicted the nature of the food - they should have been more fast-service oriented. Prices were fine, but they took quite a bit of time to make those pies and small plates to order (not that fresh food is necessarily a bad thing) and many were messy to eat which kinda defeated their purpose of being hand pies (not to mention they were cut in half for serving!) They could be neither quick nor practically portable - it was good food reasonably priced but the manner of execution wasn't in line with the nature of the product.

Pikalo being across the street likely put several nails into the coffin, as they could put out empanadas that were served faster, more varied, easier and cleaner to eat on the go, and even cheaper than Aurum. Sure, they make empanadas in batches ahead of time like a bakery, but they're in constant production and even run out from time to time, so you know they're fresh. I catered a small group meeting with a single sack full of empanadas, for less than a Franklin. Didn't even have to phone in an order ahead of time, walked right up to the counter, rattled off the number of four types that I wanted and walked out inside of ten minutes. In that time I would still have been waiting for a single pie at Aurum that would come out dripping with sauce and lava-hot, so I couldn't eat it for another five.

They were a novelty, but really only that and nothing more. The pop-up model suits them better.

I just discovered Aurum & *really* liked it. So bummed they're closing.