Aroma Espresso Bar: Way beyond coffee

Look, if anyone "gets" routine, it's me.  But if you're as sick of the same old deli meat and Swiss sandwich or make-your-own-salad as I am, consider shaking up your lunch rotation. 

On Wednesday night, about ten food bloggers/press and I were invited to a media tasting at Aroma Espresso Bar.  And believe you me, there was much more to be sampled than day-old pastries and pre-packaged sandwiches.  Started in Israel in the late 90's, Aroma quickly spread throughout the small country before opening its first US location in 2006.  Right here in NYC's Soho neighborhood!  And, since then, the small chainlet has launched stores in New Jersey, Miami, and Maryland. 

Aroma Espresso Bar: Getting the party started with homemade lemonade

Aroma Espresso Bar: Garbanzo Salad - garbanzo beans, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, homemade garlic croutons, tahini sauce, parsley, and lemon-olive oil dressing

Aroma Espresso Bar: Bourekas! These delightful savory pastries are Bulgarian in decsent and filled with potato, feta, or spinach. Dynamite!

Aroma Espresso Bar: California Chicken Sandwich - chicken breast, avocado, fresh mozzarella cheese, fried egg, Aroma sauce, house-baked bread

Aroma Espresso Bar: Halumi Sandwich - grilled Halumi cheese, cream cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and house-baked bread

Aroma Espresso Bar: Rich, decadent, warm, and oh so ooey-gooey chocolate chip/walnut and double chocolate cookies

Aroma Espresso Bar: Alfajores - a soft Latin American cookie that sandwiches a thick layer of dulce de leche

Aroma Espresso Bar: Traditional brownies - served warm and laced with walnut nibs

The jury is still out on which item I liked best - the bourekas - the halumi sandwich - or the halvah pastries (not pictured).  Luckily, I don't have to choose just one! 

I'm thrilled to know that there is an Aroma Espresso Bar located so close to my office.  Well, it's kind of scary, actually.  My girlish figure!  Anyhoo, I foresee many future lunches - and snack breaks - filled with decadent cups of hot chocolate, frozen mint lemonade, spinach bourekas, halumi sandwiches, halvah pastries, and those warm, gooey chocolate-chocolate chip cookies.  Drool.

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Until we eat again,

Lindsay, The Lunch Belle