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| - 98 Aroma is different, and for good reasons. Over time, we're seeing a steady slew of Asian restaurants defining traditional and authentic cuisines being established in Toronto's very own Chinatown. No more do we need to go uptown to experience authentic dishes, and that's where 98 Aroma shines (but with a price).
98 Aroma is situated close to College and Spadina. Their casual exterior does not do justice to the interior design. The interior is decorated nicely with wooden furnishings and a cohesive theme, making you feel like you're eating in a restaurant nested in the heart of Chengdu.
But what makes 98 Aroma shine is the food. It's menu is offered in a normal vs VIP pricing, similar to other new Chinese restaurants in the area. To start, you're offered a completely English-free menu if you speak any form of Chinese. The restaurant has staple Sezchuan dishes such as Fish in Hot Oil, Mapo Tofu, and Double Cooked Pork. Upon our various visits, we sampled a majority of these classical dishes, and found them to be very flavourful. The abundant use of spices and garlic adds to the authenticity of the dishes, and we enjoyed most of them. One problem that we keep on facing is that the dishes are overwhelmingly salty. This was not a consistent problem upon our many visits, but be wary of that when you order.
It is important to note that the prices here are higher than your typical westernized Chinese restaurant prices. Ranging from 15.99 to 18.99 for normal portion sized dishes. However, given by the true flavour and ingredients that they use (such as the fresh seafood), I think it's worth paying the premium for what I believe, is the most defining representation of a real Chinese restaurant.
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