Aroma Kitchen & Winebar

36 E 4th St (between Lafayette & Bowery) - New York, NY 10003
  • $$$
  • Rating Distribution
    5 stars
    7
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    1
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  • As seen on Food Network

Passion-Fueled Excellence in the East Village

Profile by: Layla Khoury-Hanold
Photos shot on location by: Winnie Jeng

Highlights

  • Chef Vito’s seasonal approach to cooking guarantees superb daily specials like a velvety asparagus soup for spring.
  • The wine list boasts over 150 options, including a variety of hard-to-find Italian labels at reasonable prices.
  • A working fireplace in the main dining room is perfect for cozy dinners during chillier months.
  • Two additional rooms are available for private events: La Tavernetta seats 12 guests and the Farmhouse Room up to 22 guests. The restaurant's events manager, Allene Diana, can assist with the planning.

Good to Know

  • The restaurant was named by Michelin as a 2013 Bib Gourmand.
  • During aperitivo at the bar from 5-6:30pm daily, enjoy a flight of three wines and antipasti for $15, and a selection of wines by the glass and bottles are available for 50 percent off.
  • Join their "My Aroma Rewards" program and you’ll get a point for every dollar spent, $30 off for every 300 points, and $30 off to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries.
  • Visa, Mastercard and Amex are accepted with a minimum purchase of $20.
  • Gluten-free pasta (made with corn or rice flour) is available upon request.

Recommended Dishes

  • ·
    Grilled Baby Octopus
  • ·
    Risotto del Giorno
  • ·
    Gnudi
  • As seen on the Food Network

Full Overview

Step into this East Village Italian restaurant and wine bar, and you can practically feel the buzz of the city melt away. Early evening finds patrons settled into the dark wood paneled bar for an aperitivo, nibbling on house marinated olives and sipping a specially selected wine. Chef Vito, originally from the southern Italian region of Basilicata, has a passion for food and wine that is surpassed only by his love of eating and drinking. At Aroma, he showcases regional Italian dishes filtered through the lens of his daily trips to local New York markets. Start off your meal with a glass of Bortolotti, a sparkling wine that is like Prosecco but a bit sweeter. Both antipasti dishes were superbly executed: A deceptively simple Caprese Salad is elevated by oven-confit tomatoes tucked under an orb of fresh mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. The baby octopus, poached then grilled with lemon juice and olive oil, is plated with a kick of green oil and buttery fava beans. Though he appreciates market vegetables, Chef Vito has a penchant for pork. The risotto of the day is often studded with a combination of house-made pork sage sausage, smoked pork belly, or pork tenderloin, and laced with creamy Stracchino cheese. For pasta, the gnudi– perfectly molded spheres of ricotta, pecorino, and Swiss chard served atop a tomato sauce – are excellent. Chef Vito often comes out to greet guests; you’ll find him pouring wine for groups, personally delivering pasta to couples or tending to private parties. And the staff follows his exemplary model of service. They want you to savor a meal over several courses, and that includes dessert. Cap off dinner with a trio of creamy house-made gelato, particularly the olive oil and basil flavor, or sample the Nutella Semifreddo perched on a Florentine cookie crust. Under Chef Vito’s watch you’ll leave Aroma satisfied, relaxed, and inspired to return for more.

Private Dining at Aroma Kitchen & Winebar

 

We are dedicated to providing a personalized and intimate approach to event planning and design.

 

Our private rooms transport you to a wine cellar in Italy.

 

The Farmhouse Room seats up to 22 or cocktail reception for 30.

 

La Tavernetta seats up to 12.

 

The two rooms combined seat up to 36 or cocktail reception for 45.Let us help you create the perfect function and make sure that every detail is flawless. We will work with you to:

 

* Create your customized menu

* Select the right wines to fit your event

* Facilitate your specific requests and individual needs such as flower arrangements, special equipment and decorations.

 

We have a passionate, experienced team whose mission is to make your celebration unforgettable!

 

* Vito Polosa, our Chef and owner, makes daily trips to the markets selecting the freshest and highest quality ingredients. He's passionate about sharing the wonders of his Italian heritage through his house-made pastas and seasonally-inspired dishes.

* Federico Salvador, our Sommelier, will direct you through our Italian wine list of over 150 wines designed to accomodate any type of celebration.

* Our experienced dining room staff is committed to professional yet personal service.

Our Private Dining Areas

 

A private, subterranean escape featuring stone, wood and glass elements highlighted by votive candles and dimly-lit chandeliers. Anchored by a communal wood table of dark mahogany, it comfortably seats 22 guests. Accessed through a narrow staircase and winding catacombs, the journey gives you an unmistakable feeling of traveling through Venetian passageways. In creating the Farmhouse Room, we wanted to express the pleasure of dining in a countryside home. Warm, rustic and cozy, the room is enrobed in soft light and music. Simple elegance transports you to another place and time. The communal table offers a sense of community, a feeling of closeness and social connection. A hidden sanctuary perfect for celebrations, holiday parties or corporate affairs, the Farmhouse Room offers space to mingle.

Capacity:
  • Minimum 1
  • Maximum 30

 

Maximum capacity of 22 guests, seated

Maximum capacity of 30 guests, cocktail reception 

Lunch/Brunch Seating: 12pm to 3pm

1st Seating: 6pm to 9pm

2nd Seating: 9:15pm to 12:15am

All evening also available

Menu:

 

Our newly opened private room, called "La Tavernetta", seats 12 guests.

Capacity:
  • Minimum 1
  • Maximum 12

 

Maximum capacity of 12 guests, seated

Lunch/Brunch Seating: 12pm to 3pm

1st Seating: 6:30pm to 9pm

2nd Seating: 9:15pm to 11:45pm

All evening also available

Menu:

 

Maximum capacity of 36 guests, seated 

Maximum capacity of 45 guests, cocktail reception 

Lunch/Brunch Seating: 12pm to 3pm

1st Seating: 6pm to 9pm

2nd Seating: 9:15pm to 12:15am

 All evening also available

Capacity:
  • Minimum 8
  • Maximum 45

 

The urban/rustic interior features exposed brick, a dark Sri Lankan wood bar with natural edges juxtaposed with mirrors framed with brushed steel. The room is softly lit by both contemporary chandeliers and flickering candles. It's a small space, yet it feels expansive. Exacting attention to detail, but within a casual, comfortable, relaxed space. With seats comfortable enough for dining at the bar, a cozy dining banquet in the back and tables overlooking the street in the front, the room seats 24. Veranda tables increase this number to 30 seats.

Capacity:
  • Minimum 1
  • Maximum 30

A reservation will now earn you: 200 Reward pts.

CityEats Rewards

For every reservation that you make and honor (you actually show up at the restaurant and have a meal) on CityEats.com, you will earn 200 CityEats Rewards points. If you then write a review of your dining experience, you will earn an additional 200 points. Once you have collected 2,500 points, you can redeem them for either a $25 gift certificate or a charitable donation in the amount of $25.