Few restaurants in Guangzhou have mastered the elite and homely atmosphere as well as Aroma Bistro. With a low-lit interior comprised of angled and lacquered plywood panels, Aroma feels welcoming from the get-go, setting a mood that is, well, very bistro-like.
Located near the corner of Tianhe Bei Lu and Tianhe Dong Lu in the Voka Street building, this new eatery rewards all who find it with a diverse menu of Western classics served fresh and cooked to perfection.
Opened by Guangdong natives Samantha Chan and Wanye Ng, Aroma Bistro is the culmination of 10 years of food and beverage daydreaming – a vision that became a reality in the last two months. When we visited Aroma, Chan encouraged us to dive right into the menu’s diversity, having us sample the seafood chowder (RMB42), roasted flounder fillet (RMB88) and the wagyu beef short rib (RMB198).
The seafood chowder was a real treat, considering we had never come across it at any other Guangzhou establishments. Inspired and modelled after chowders Chan enjoyed during her time in Ireland, the dish is a hearty and succulent appetizer or snack.
Our favorite dish at Aroma (that we sampled anyway) was undoubtedly the roasted flounder fillet, served with buttered potatoes in a chardonnay sauce. The fish was light and flavorful with boldly seasoned and expertly cooked spuds.
Wagyu beef speaks for itself, as it’s consistently associated with excellent culinary quality. Aroma’s wagyu short rib was no different, so we will spare you an overly detailed description.
The biggest surprise on the menu was the English-style fish and chips (RMB88), which admittedly supplanted a number of other local eateries to become our new favorite. We realize that’s a bold statement, so go and try for yourself.
In addition to the menu items already discussed, Aroma Bistro offers patrons a range of pasta and meat options (confit duck leg anyone?) that we were simply too full to indulge in.
For those inclined to turn the night into a date with wine and cocktails, Aroma has you covered with an impressive selection of imported wines, an eclectic range of cocktails and the standard beer offerings.
Perfect for a romantic rendezvous, we tip our hat to the team at Aroma Bistro for the unique environment they have created and the delicious dishes they’ve so valiantly mastered.
Price: RMB100-200
Who’s going: flounder fans, couples and Guangzhou gastronomy gurus
Good for: romantic evenings, special affairs
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