Aroma Latin Fusion — Restaurant in Virginia

I had wanted to try this restaurant for some time and finally decided to give it a try this weekend, but everything from the service to the food left A LOT to be desired. Really the only thing the restaurant got down right was the blackberry, soursoup, and passion fruit juices we ordered - everything else was mediocre at best.

To start off, we ordered two orders of meat empanadas. The empanadas were okay, they were essentially the same empanadas Aroma makes at their bakery in Springfield, just with a "fancy" platting. When we were eating the empanadas, however, we discovered that INSIDE one the empanadas was what appeared to be some sort of metal wire like from a metal mesh sponge! We quietly called over our waitress, Diana, to show her. She took a picture of this with her phone and said that she was sorry and she would correct this.

As entrees, we ordered the Bandeja Paisa Montanera, a Calentado breakfast, and an Arriero breakfast. When the waitress brought over the food, they did not even offer if we wanted salt or for the eggs and avocado in our dishes. BUT IT GETS WORSE! Not only was the meat pink and undercooked in one of the dishes we ordered (despite us explicitly telling the waitress that we wanted the meat to be well done in both plates), but the food - from the sunny side up eggs to chorizo- was GREASE-FILLED. Now I'm Colombian, so I know that some of the ingredients in these dishes, especially the Bandeja Paisa, are fried but when I say that all three plates on which the food was served on was GREASE-SOAKED, I'm not kidding. To top it off, the avocado in the Bandeja Paisa was already a bit dark (it had some black spots on it so clearly not the freshest) AND it still had the sticker on it from the grocery store.

We once again called the waitress over and her that the meat was undercooked. She again apologized, took a picture of it, and once again said she would take care of it.

When I asked for the check, I thought that perhaps they would make at least one of the two empanada orders complementary considering the fact that they had LITERALLY served us food with metal waste in it and the fact that the waitress said that she would take care of it. NO! Instead, they charged me for EVERYTHING. I complained to the waitress and ONLY THEN did she proceed to make one of the 2 only empanada orders complimentary.

Overall, both the quality of the food and the service leaves much to be desired. The owners and the chefs pride themselves in serving "elevated" good-quality Colombian food but they could not get the quality of the food down, let alone the platting and presentation. It's sad and disappointing that they advertise that the two chefs specialized in haute cuisine and hospitality because from what I experienced, the food was nothing but mediocre food I could get at some low-level restaurant/bakery with bad platting and even worse...

In the Stonebridge shopping center so plenty of parking. Honestly, it was difficult deciding what rating to give this restaurant.

We walked in on a Monday night and there was only a handful of tables there. We asked for 2 seats and the host asked if we had a reservation and we said no which didn't seem to be a problem. He asked if he could interest us in seating at the bar and that they had a great bartender.

We didn't have a problem doing so but when we sat, there was a woman behind the bar who didn't acknowledge us. We were given food menus but not drink menus. She ended up not being the bartender and after about 5 or so minutes, the bartender came out and asked if we would like anything to drink. We asked for some waters and he gave us the drink menus. Disappeared for a little bit and another woman came back and asked if we would like anything to drink. My friend ordered the margarita and I ordered a glass of red wine. She left the bar and we waited another 5 minutes before the bartender came by and made the drink and poured me a glass of white. I had to specify that I ordered a red one, he just said "ok" and poured me the red.

We ordered the Ceviche Mixto and the Aroma Arepas. My friend ordered the Risotto de la Casa. The ceviche and arepas came out fairly quickly. Ceviche was good and flavorful, i was surprised but the sweet potato it came with paired very well. The pork on the arepas was good but the corn arepas were a little bland.

The risotto itself took 45 minutes to come out. At about 20 minutes, we told our bartender that we were still waiting and he looked at the kitchen and said it was coming. 10 minutes later, a woman came and asked us if we needed anything and how we were doing, indicating it had been 30 minutes and we were still waiting on the risotto. Bartender had disappeared yet again and we were out of water. The staff was talking and looking over at us and the host came over and said the risotto would be another 10 minutes but it would likely be 7-8 because they've front loaded the order. 15 minutes later, the bartender brought us the risotto asking us if we needed anything in which we were finally able to get more water.

While the risotto was good and the shrimp in it it was delicious, waiting 45 minutes for a risotto and a non existent bartender was pretty bad in my opinion. There wasn't any kind of apologies or anything and not sure if we really should have expected one.

The food was good and it's a little disappointing how bad the service was. Definitely doesn't make me want to come back to even try other menu items or...

Aroma Latin Fusion in Woodbridge, VA, left a lasting impression on me with its vibrant atmosphere and delectable Latin American cuisine. From the moment we entered, we were greeted by the friendly and knowledgeable waitress, Jenitza, who provided us with excellent service throughout our visit.

Jenitza's warm and welcoming demeanor set the stage for an enjoyable dining experience. Her extensive knowledge of the menu and genuine enthusiasm for the food added an extra layer of excitement to our meal. She effortlessly guided us through the menu and graciously answered all our questions, ensuring we made the most satisfying choices.

Speaking of choices, we decided to indulge in the Red Snapper and the ceviche de barrio. The Red Snapper was a true standout, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The fish was tender and flaky, with a delightful crispy skin that added a satisfying crunch. Paired with the perfectly seasoned tostones and a tangy sauce, each bite was a delightful symphony of flavors.

The ceviche de barrio was equally impressive, showcasing the freshness and vibrant flavors of the dish. The combination of citrus and spices added a zesty kick to the dish, perfectly complementing the succulent pieces of fish. The addition of fried calamari added a delightful textural contrast, making this dish a true standout.

Aroma Latin Fusion went above and beyond by providing live entertainment in the form of a band and a small dance floor. The lively ambiance created by the music and the opportunity to dance added an element of excitement to the evening. It's worth noting that there is a cover charge once the live band starts playing, which adds to the overall experience but should be taken into account when planning your visit.

The restaurant's dedication to creating an immersive Latin American experience is evident in every detail. From the flavorful cuisine to the energetic atmosphere, Aroma Latin Fusion succeeds in capturing the essence of Latin American culture.

In conclusion, Aroma Latin Fusion in Woodbridge, VA, offers a memorable dining experience. With the friendly and knowledgeable service provided by Jenitza, the mouthwatering Red Snapper and ceviche de barrio accompanied by fried calamari, and the lively ambiance created by the live band, this restaurant truly stands out. If you're seeking a culinary adventure infused with Latin American flavors and a vibrant atmosphere, Aroma Latin Fusion is definitely...