Aria TNB, Bucharest From the Rooftop: A Mixed Bag of Views, Vibes, and Very Questionable Berbecut
Aria TNB sits atop Bucharestâs National Theater and nails the first impression. The rooftop setting is strikingâcomfortable seating, tasteful decor, and a skyline view that feels made for long dinners and lively gatherings. The space is ample, with plenty of room indoors and out, easily handling anything from a quiet date night to a full-blown party. The bathrooms, like the rest of the space, are pristine. Clean, elegant, and welcoming. Itâs a place you want to love.
Aria TNB gets the environment right. Itâs one of the best-designed rooftop venues in the city. But the food is uneven, the menu overreaches, and the quality control is suspect. It doesnât take much to imagine how good this place could be. But as it stands, youâre better off enjoying the view with a glass of wineâand thinking carefully before ordering anything else.
My first Aperol spritz was completely flatâno fizz, no life. To the serverâs credit, he replaced it right away without hesitation.
We started with an Asian-style appetizer: fried dough and rice paper wrapped around a soft, anonymous fillingâshrimp, or something trying to be. It was immediately clear this came from a bulk frozen bagâsomething youâd expect from fast food, not a high-end rooftop restaurant. Flavorless and texturally vague. The one smart touch was the bed of seaweed and arugula, a pairing that deserved a better dish on top of it.
My antricot de vitÄ, seared on a hot plate with cherry tomatoes, new potatoes, and shishito peppers, was the high point of the mealâcooked confidently, well-balanced, and plated with care.
My friendâs berbecut skewersâslices of mature male lamb, prized in Romanian cuisine for their deeper flavorâwere anything but a success. Within an hour, she was violently ill. She remained sick the next day. The meat was clearly contaminated. And while weâre being honest: she may have soiled the spotless bathroom, and definitely had a few episodes in the bushes nearby, as she could no longer control her body. Yes, I know. Itâs too much information. But you need to understand how bad this was. This wasnât a light stomach upset. This was a public health incident. A serious food safety failure.
Our Romanian rosé was a quiet triumph: pale, crisp, and elegant. A genuine highlight.
We asked for dessert and were assured the ice cream was made in-house. LIE. It was flavorless, the presentation was unappealing, and one scoop came with canned pineapple. No. No. When I questioned the server, he half-shrugged and blamed the pastry chef. Not exactly the response you want at this price point.
Rating: Hard to know what to order. Stick to salads or dishes that see high turnover. Steer clear of the sweets.
Suggestion to management: Review the menu. Itâs too long and too uneven. Reducing the number of dishes in favor of tighter execution and higher quality would do this placeâand its reputationâa...
   Read moreI have been here twice so far and left very happy both times. In my opinion, this is a seafood restaurant. Itâs not marketed as such, but itâs the fish and seafood dishes that stand out to me. Iâve had the ceviche, the seafood soup, the dorado and the salmon fillet and really enjoyed all of them. They cook fish very well, itâs never dry or under cooked (which I seem to often find in retaurants). The parmesan biscuits with beetroot cream cheese they serve with the salmon score points just for creativity for me. It sounds gimmicky, but tastes lovely. The ceviche has mango, celery and coriander which, for me, really taste fantastic together. If youâre looking for a good steak, or good pasta, in my opinion, there are better places to go to than Aria TNB. You will find those dishes here, and they are good (my friends have had them), but if you are a decent cook you can cook a better steak with roast potatoes at home than you will be served here without much effort. In terms of portion sizes, I am a big fan of this place. The portions are not tiny, but not too large either. You donât feel cheated at being served great food in small amounts. The disappointment of eating a great seafood soup, but only finding 2 shrimps and 2 mussels in it is not something you will experience here. For how good the food is, I think the portion size is great which makes it good value as well. One downside I must point out is the lack of vegan options. You really only have one soup, one entree and one dessert you can go for. This is a dissapointment because given the creativity they show in their menu they surely are able to create great vegan dishes as well. So if youâre with your vegan friends, I think itâs best to look elsewhere. The decor, despite some brighter colors, I find quite tasteful. Check the photos for reference. The large amount of glass helps the ambiance. The service is great in my experience, but Iâve only come here for weekend lunch, so when the place gets busier service might suffer. Overall, I think itâs a great place for lunch, dinner or even just drinks, especially if you like seafood. If youâre vegan,...
   Read moreThe ambiance of the restaurant was both inviting and professional, creating the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch or a refined brunch. The elegant design of the venue and the attention to detail in the interior décor impressed me.
The daytime menu offered a diverse and enticing selection. I was delighted by the array of delicious appetizers, fresh salads, and flavorful main courses. The quality of ingredients used was outstanding, and the dishes were prepared with precision and presented impeccably. I had the opportunity to savor both authentic and innovative creations that truly delighted my taste buds.
The staff was attentive and friendly, providing warm greetings and promptly catering to our needs. I appreciated their professionalism and the efforts they made to ensure a pleasant dining experience.
An aspect worth mentioning is the beverage selection. Aria TNB Restaurant offers a variety of refreshing drinks, natural juices, and hot beverages, perfectly complementing the meal. The staff was knowledgeable and able to provide recommendations, sharing interesting insights about their beverage offerings.
Overall, Aria TNB Restaurant during the daytime is an excellent destination for enjoying a delightful meal in a relaxed yet professional atmosphere. With high-quality cuisine, impeccable service, and friendly staff, it stands out as a top choice for those seeking a memorable culinary experience during the day. I highly recommend this restaurant, and I look forward to returning...
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