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| - On a Bloor block that's chockablock with coffee shops, Aroma rocks.
OK, enough free styling. A few steps from Bathurst subway station, Aroma offers a unique coffee shop experience to an otherwise well-caffeinated section of the city.
Sandwiches arrive on home-baked bread. The slices are long on area but short on depth, available in white, brown and multigrain. They are politely filled with whatever you desire. Avocados are ripe, boiled egg slices are perfectly creamy, smoked salmon is still slightly chilly. There's a lot of pickled items nestled among the options, and combinations that you won't find at Tim Horton's; an interesting combination of western staples with a middle-eastern twist. Half-portions are available for a light lunch or solid snack. Even the small salads are big enough to share; loaded with fresh veggies and abundant protein. While I rarely crave salad, when the urge strikes, the Aroma salad with tuna and feta cheese gets the job done nicely.
Desserts range from good to awesome. Alfajores combine everything good in the world except chocolate. Fresh, crumbly shortbread sandwiched around dulce de leche. A perfect end to a virtuous lunch, or over coffee if you're one of those people who can't order a cuppa without a little something on the side. Sugar-free baked goods are also available, making this a suitable place to take anyone who watches their carb intake.
Coffee offerings vary from a straightforward cup of medium-strength joe, to fancy lattes, cappuccinos and mochas. A wee bit more expensive than Starbucks, their espresso blend is smoother and packs a less assertive punch with lower acidity. Good enough to drink without sugar, complimented by a free milk chocolate square. To those who would hate on a place that offers free chocolate, you have no soul.
I'm a committed coffee drinker, but even I have to admit my preference for Aroma's non-coffee beverages. Hot chocolate is sweet but rich with real cocoa and dairy. Teas hot and iced blow the big chains out of the water. Mint tea, a proper cluster of vibrant leaves floating in the cup, and a green tea lemonade slush stops conversation cold. We sip in shock and awe.
Ordering is different; you pay at the cash register, then claim your order once it's announced by the Barista over the house mic. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to making up names on occasion. I have yet to receive a Moe Szyzlak-worthy response.
As an aside, I have noticed some trolling regarding this particular chain of cafes, regarding the country in which they are headquartered. I'm not sure how appropriate it is to make political statements in a restaurant review, but since the food system has itself become a bit of a policy hot-button, I shall indulge just this once.
Aroma cafés are franchised. They are owned and operated by local business people.
Targeting Aroma or any other local business for the sake of an ill-informed, hateful campaign because of the background of their corporate parents is like boycotting Mandarin over China's policies regarding Tibet
The current campaign is filled with misrepresentations regarding Israeli defence and human rights policy, and seeks to make a factually inaccurate comparison with other countries. It is intellectually fraudulent and morally bankrupt. Curiously, those who try to launch such ill-advised campaigns seldom show up to protest the actions of other governments against their own citizens, much less a sovereign country's attempt to defend itself against its hostile neighbours.
Engaging in an informed discussion about Israeli (or any other government's) policy is entirely appropriate. Smearing local businesses because of their principals' religious, ethnic, or national background smacks of something else. Attempts to mask a political screed as a weak review speaks to the poster's lack of credibility.
In any case, I know where I'm buying my next latte. Thanks, Junior.
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