Aroma Bakery Cafe - Los Angeles

Even two years later, I’m still a huge fan of Aroma, despite living nowhere near the Valley. Just yesterday, I shared a meal with my sister-in-law Sabrina L. while visiting my adorable baby niece. Here's what we tried: First up was the Hummus and Ahi Tuna Shawarma. I’m particularly picky about hummus, as I love it rich with tahini, and Aroma consistently delivers. My sisters-in-law wanted to try the Ahi Tuna Shawarma, which turned out to be surprisingly good, though the tuna didn’t quite have the expected “ahi” texture. The flavor leaned more towards curry, and I felt the naming might have been misleading. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the dish, but I still prefer the simple hummus served with hard-boiled eggs or their eggplant hummus. The warmth of the fluffy pita served with their hummus plates is always a win. We also tried the grilled veggie sandwich, which came loaded with Portobello mushrooms, assorted vegetables, goat cheese, and pesto on roasted ciabatta. I really liked it; in fact, their sandwiches and bagel sandwiches never disappoint. They come in generous portions, always served with fresh salads. Another highlight was the Jachnun, a traditional Jewish baked dish made from rolled dough. I was surprised to find it available on a Sunday, as it’s typically eaten on Saturdays. As soon as I cut into it, I noticed the layered dough. It had a chewy texture reminiscent of the Burmese parantha I enjoyed in childhood. I could tell this dish was labor-intensive, which added to its appeal. While my sister-in-law didn’t seem to notice, it brought back fond memories for me. For dessert, we had chocolate souffle topped with fresh cream and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This was executed beautifully, with a light crust revealing a creamy chocolate center. We left with plenty of leftovers, as we were in the mood for a taste test. Here’s what I've enjoyed in the past: Sea Bass Skewers with couscous (delicious!), tahini-drenched eggplants (also delicious), herb-crusted salmon salad (delicious), Mango Pecan Salad (delicious), Portobello Panini (delicious), Margherita Pizza (pretty good), and a creamy Tilapia that was a winner we shared happily. One of my all-time favorites has to be the ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese sauce—seriously decadent! The only dish I didn’t care for was the Greek dish; perhaps if it came with hummus like the falafel, it would’ve tasted better. All the ingredients were super fresh, as they always are, which I can’t complain about despite my personal preference. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations, and there’s often a wait, but I never mind—I'm always engaged in conversation with those I'm dining with. Parking is $3 if there’s no metered street parking available, but I usually go late when there are plenty of free spots. I prefer the covered terrace area, though it can get a bit smoky. The atmosphere has a distinct European café vibe—much more than their location on Sunset Blvd, which I also enjoy, but I favor this Encino spot. Kudos to them for having high chairs for babies, although I wouldn’t recommend bringing small children in the evenings. In short, Aroma is my go-to place in the Valley. I absolutely love this place!