Aroma is coming!!!

[tshames]

Although it looks like it's still about a month away from opening, I saw a sign up outside the location for the new Aroma Espresso Bar on Bloor Street (just east of Bathurst on the corner beside the Bloor Cinema). Aroma is originally from Israel and has recently opened up in New York, LA, etc. Although I can't comment on whether the quality is going to be able to follow them without access to the local, fresh vegetables and cheeses in Israel, this is a favourite cafe of mine in Israel. They make AMAZNG, fresh, tasty, healthy sandwiches and salads...items that I find are lacking on Bloor Street.

I just hope the little aroma chocolate that they serve with their drinks follows them here as well.

[Chester Eleganté]

There's a new Aroma in the renovated food court at the Promenade Mall in Thornhill. Astute location.

[gnt]

They just opened another location at Younge and Eglington in the RIO CAN building! looks good

[Pincus]

This is an old thread, but I have had two amazing sandwiches there recently (on two different days, come on!): omelette and portobello. Both were made with very fresh ingredients and great additions, like basil and sun-dried tomato spread on the portobello. And the coffee is very good as well. Haven't tried any other foods, but the fresh-baked stuff looked wonderful! Will definitely be returning on a regular basis.

[furhead]

I am a huge fan of the big salads -- the Aroma salad with tuna is wonderful. Has a lot of tuna, as well as olives, eggs, red onions and some other toppings. It's served with two fresh slices of bread, and makes a fantastic meal!

[peppermint pate]

I tried this place on the long week-end. I really like the fact that they open early, 7 days a week - not many places where you can get a good espresso and some decent, non diner, chow before 8am during the week. The cappuccino was quite good and there was even a little "latte art" on the top (a heart). Plus I'm a sucker for any place that serves a square of chocolate with their coffee - mmm. We had 2 power breakfasts (2 eggs, 2 thick slices of fresh bread, chopped Israeli-ish salad, cream cheese, feta cheese and olives - a very satisfying plate) and 2 capps for about $23.

My one disappointment was that the Israeli salad wasn't a true Israeli salad - instead of an oil and lemon juice dressing, they serve the dressing unseasoned (not even salt) and with little containers of Balsamic or Thousand Island dressings. And what should have been green olives were Kalamata olives. So I didn't feel like I had the true Israeli breakfast experience of which I have so many fond memories.

All in all, though, it was a good experience and I'd go back. I saw a few sandwiches go by and they looked great.

[acd123]

I think Aroma is fantastic, but I agree about the undressed Israeli salad. The Thousand Island and Balsamic dressings don't cut it. If I remember correctly, they do it properly at the Aromas in Israel - as you said, with OO and Lemon juice.

Next time, try the bureka treat - flaky bureka, sliced open and stuffed with tomatoes, tahina, hard boiled egg, and pickles. Fantastic.

I always have a jar of cracked green Israeli olives in the fridge, so didn't miss them on the plate too much, although I agree that they are much more authentic.

[peppermint pate]

The bureka treat sounds amazing - I will definitely try that next time. Just out of curiosity, where do you buy the Israeli olives? I usually just buy a jar of the (Italian, I think) small green olives with pits as they remind me of the kind I had when I worked on a kibbutz.

[acd123]

Yeah, the small, green, cracked Israeli olives are amazing. I think they have the best flavour of any olives around, and they seem to be less salty than most.

You can buy them in the kosher section of Loblaws (I think they all have one). You can also get them at Sababa, an Israeli market/restaurant on Steeles W. Sababa has a larger selection, but it's usually way too far north for me, unless I happen to be in the neighbourhood. I think Daiter's on Bathrust S of Wilson also carries them, as does Sobey's (I think in the kosher section too).

[peppermint pate]

Hey acd123 - I tried the bureka treat over the week-end - delish! It's not often that I have the taste of both pickles and cappuccino in my mouth at the same time - and that's even after a recent pregnancy - but it worked. Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try one of the sandwiches next time.

[acd123]

Great to hear that you enjoyed the bureka treat. If we don't go up north this weekend, we'll probably go for breakfast. So good and so Israeli. Love it.

Let me know what sandwich you get next time you go.

Hope that you found the small green Israeli olives. Just picked up a new can last week.

[scrooge]

Thank you thank you thank you for this original post. I stumbled across it back in May and have since been to Aroma. Well, not just been there but it is now my favourite cafe. I don't live in the area, but go there for the peace and quiet (no booming music you have to shout over) and wonderful cappuccino. I'm always hiding out there. I like the staff too.

Not sure I would have noticed it if you hadn't posted about it. I can be a bit thick at times.

[Recyclor]

My GF works across the street, she goes so often we have a stash of little chocolates at home, I'll have to check it out, she's sold....

[syoung]

Is the food at Aroma all kosher?

[suzwin]

I went in and asked that question last week. Waitress said the meat is kosher but they can't get a kosher certificate because: they serve meat and milk, only use one kitchen, and they're open on Shabbat. Hmmm, reminds me of Tel Aviv...

[scrooge]

OH I am so glad it is here. I had never heard of them before but I was looking for a starbucks andtidote. The coffee is to die for. It's now my new hidey hole from the world. Its not in my neighbourhood but I go out of my way to go there.
Good food, excellent coffee, very good service, nice atmosphere and the best? No screeching loud music. The music is in the background and unlike some places isn't so loud I can't concentrate. I am fed up with overloud music - I want to relax and Aroma now lets me.

[coffee and chocolate]

I have visited this place the last long weekend - may 20th -with several friends .
The food was delicious - grilled chicken sandwish . huge chunk of chicken with mozarella cheese and really good bread !!! the coffee was perfect . just as i expected to be . my friends who are new to Aroma liked the idea , the food , the Mocha coffee and the ambience !!! All of us definitely will come back there again .
Perfect and Delicious place

[deelicious]

That first time posting sounds like an ad. But I will definitely try it out to see.

[bellywizard]

I have to admit - I've been skeptical. Maybe too slick? Something...
Today I ordered a decaf latte. They only serve capuccinos, not lattes.
Fine - but then my "decaf" wasn't decaf.
I'm not convinced yet.
Nice that their lactose-free milk is not skim (the way it is at Starbucks & The Second Cup), but I'm also not sure that they're keeping it as separate from regular milk as they should.

It could turn into a favourite spot, but I'm still not won over!

[isbh]

The decaf is real, I m elergic to regular and can tell, it's just very good coffee.

[idnas]

I tried Aroma today and we had lattes. I guess they got the message that the locals like lattes... I liked the latte, although it was a bit "weaker" tasting than I'm used to.

The real treat was fresh chocolate croissants straight from the oven. Butter croissants were coming out at the same time and they seem to bake many of their treats a few at a time through the day. Very nice.

[deabot]

I stopped in yesterday, had a cappacino, however I did find a opened sugar wrapper inside the drink....this was graciously replaced though and they gave my money back with some cookies on the side!!! I'll be back. I liked the decor and I would love to try their sandwiches and salads. It's right across from Starbacks so I guess they're literally duking it out! :)

[EB_TO]

I visited at the beginning of this week. I only had the Ice Aroma which is like a slushy kind of drink with coffee. It's very similar to the chiller at Second Cup but it tastes much better. I don't know what exactly they put in it (tasted like caramel, I think) but it was just excellent!

I wasn't too hungry so I didn't try any sandwiches or any of the other food items but I now that I've had the Ice Aroma I will have to go back and try something!

[domesticgodess]

dropped by last week to check it out...very kewl space. I liked the added touch of the small chocolate that they gave to you. I only ordered a coffee (and will definetley return for another coffee)

[bellywizard]

I'm annoyed that they don't serve lattés - only cappucinos.

[cord]

Does anyone know if this place is open yet, or will be opening soon? Has anyone been in the area lately? I am in the East end and don't get over there near enough.

[gregclow]

toronto.com and the Star both report it as opening sometime this week.

[acd123]

I went to "Chez Schwartz" at the Toronto Jewish Film Fest last Thursday Great doc about Schwartz's Deli in Mtl. While I was waiting in line, someone (an owner??) walked out of the still boarded up Aroma. I asked her when it would be open, and she responded, "next week". I didn't drive by today, but I assume that it is still not open and her timing was a bit off. Looking forward to it.

[acd123]

I drove by last night and the paper has come off the windows. The chairs were still wrapped up, but it looks like they are planning to open this weekend.

[tshames]

I snuck in for a peek this morning. tee hee.

The chairs and tables are in. The menu board is up. Looks the same as in Israel, just all in English. They seemed to be working on some frames around the windows and some of the counter still needed work, but they're almost there.

Rumour is they may be open as early as this Sunday, May 20. Enjoy!

[gimel]

just walked by (saturday afternoon) - it looked like staff were in the midst of training........

[tshames]

IT'S OPEN!!!

The place looks great. Lots of comfortable seating around small tables in the front and in the back, with a breakfast bar along the wall of windows. Same black, red and white colouring throughout.

The menu is almost exactly the same as in Israel, minus the hebrew. The food was delicious. The grilled halumi sandwich tasted the same as in Israel, fresh bread and all, and the tomatoes were suprisingly good. The ice aroma was exactly the same and delicious! The bourekasim looked huge. The table beside ordered hot chocolates, which are the same as in Israel, hot milk with the chocolate bar on the bottom. It was a wonderful experience.

One customer complained about the 'for here/to go' pricing, but it makes sense if you want to eat in their space, and it's the same in Israel.

Did I mention that it was just like in Israel? ;)

[acd123]

Can't wait to try it. We debated about going yesterday morning, and we decided to give them time to find their sea legs. Next weekend for sure.

[Poorboy]

This could be interesting.
I was thinking, we have an Aroma here in Toronto already......
Aroma Fine Indian Cuisine. 287 King St. West.

I can bet there will be discussions with legal on this.

The new one opening sounds interesting though.

[acd123]

I agree 100%. I love Aroma (especially the one on Hillel in Jerusalem - that may have been the first one). Great food and great casual atmosphere. Amazing breakfasts too. Yes, the local produce in Israel is second to none, but Ontario produce is pretty darn good too. I hope they get the Israeli cheeses though :-) I'm a huge fan of Ontario cheeses, but it would be great switch it up with some Israeli cheeses at Aroma.

I hope it opens soon. That sign has been up forever.