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Aroma Espresso Bar, Toronto |
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Review by Lauren Denhartog |
  ne of the latest coffee joints to open its doors in Toronto's trendy Annex district, Aroma Espresso Bar serves up richly fragrant caffeinated beverages in an environment that mixes comfort with laid-back cool.
The well-received chain of coffee houses originated in Israel in 1994 and has since expanded to the United States and Canada. Each location houses an in-house bakery where bread is baked fresh daily. Imagine the smell of fresh bread and coffee merged into one fragrant union?
The menu is short and sweet but just enough variety to give customers a pleasant array of salads and sandwiches to accompany any cuppa joe. Aroma adds a touch of class to the Annex coffee scene where it competes with other coffee joints like Ezra's Pound on Dupont Street.
An open kitchen allows customers a birds-eye view of what goes on behind the scenes. Everything is made fresh-to-order and nothing is ever pre-packaged - a nice touch when so many upscale coffee shops have their food shipped in only to wait in a cold fridge for hours on end. I like my sandwiches at room temperature anyways. -L.D.
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500 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario
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4 Reader Reviews
Placed in front of the Starbucks, Aroma has a welcoming and comfortable environment, with beautiful people moving around.
The drinks have a good quality and the espresso is one of the best of the city, but as in the majority of the Toronto’s coffee shops, the food in general is tasteless. The prices are affordable to Canadian' standards.
Internet wireless connection is available.
A good option for the region around Bathurst x Bloor.
Zava's Rating: 3 Stars |
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The espresso we ordered were very smokey and acidic, and they tasted burnt. This was by far the most unpleasant espresso I have ever tasted. The atmostphere was very welcoming and comfortable though.
James Denton's Rating: 2 Stars |
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I had relatives from the U.S. who were looking for a Jewish cafe/breakfest shop, and they had chosen Aroma. I ordered their breakfest which had sunny side up eggs, thinly sliced salad with tomatoes in it, and toast. The portions were very large which I liked, but the entire meal was tasteless. However, I'm not the type of person to eat salad for breakfest, but I still think it could have tasted better. What bothered me the most was how dirty the seats, tables & window sills were. Chairs were covered in bread crumbs and hair which was surprising. The washrooms seemed much cleaner than the dining area. Service was great, although the workers were not helpful when I asked them for recommendations for what to order. Overall, I would not return to this place.
Nathan's Rating: 2 Stars |
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We have lived in the Annex for over 17 years and we are thrilled to have Aroma join our neighbourhood.
Avid discerning European coffee drinkers that we are, we feel we have finally found the kind of establishment which serves excellent espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, etc. The coffee is robust and hot with steamy creamy milk always made to perfection. The four of us get one or two drinks a day and we can affirm that the drinks and service is consistently and of the highest quality. The menu is simple but it is hearty and the portions are abundant. And what a treat to have the bread and t pastries made on the premises. In this age of industrial food production, Aroma has created a differentiator at reasonable prices.
Favourite food : buraka, a light phylo pastry sprinkled with sesame seeds and filled with cheese – ideal if you are looking for savoury treat. My all time fav however is Alfajores, soft cookies with milk jam in the middle. – this is an Argentinean specialty and being from there, I can say that they got this treat right !
Drawback is that it is getting too busy and it is often difficult to get a seat to linger over the great coffee and food. I hope the patio will be open by next spring.
Jacqueline K.'s Rating: 4 Stars |
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Aroma Espresso Bar |
500 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Ontario
416-536-7750
Annex
Coffee
Cafe
$$(Affordable)
Visa
Master Card
American Express |
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