Aroma Café Lounge

If you’ve caught a whiff of the new aroma in Tamarindo, it’s probably because you’re near the new Aroma Café Lounge that has just opened. Located near the Super 2001, Aroma is quickly becoming the new place to go, whether you’re a local with a family or a tourist trying to experience some local cuisine and culture.

Under new ownership by Canadians Edgar and Catherine LeBlanc, from Calgary, Aroma has quickly taken on an amiable, inviting feel that beckons people off the street to try affordable bocas, creative entrees and delicious drinks. With the guidance of Jay Medina, their head chef and a professional restaurant consultant, as well as Natasha Pachano, a local professional, the new café now embraces the cultural warmth of Guanacaste and has become a space that everyone can enjoy. One of the first things they did was to install a big mirror bordered with Guanacaste wood. They also created a space upstairs with couches, tables, and a television for a more casual setting as opposed to the downstairs tables for eating. Everything in the café lounge was custom-made.

Complete with free Wi-Fi, Aroma is a place where students can work, people can take their families for an affordable dinner, or tourists can go for some Costa Rican-style food and drinks. Everything in Aroma is made from scratch, from the Ginger Ale and Dr. Pepper sodas, to the breads and condiments. Edgar and Catherine embraced the idea of using the “aromas” of the café to appeal to all of the senses, from fragrant cinnamon sticks in the drinks to scenting the lounge with incense.

The menu at Aroma is Campesino-Latino fusion, where only local ingredients are used. Cultural dishes are the main inspiration and there are no rules about ordering. You are encouraged to mix and match the menu as much or as little as you want. The menu features “small-plate cuisine,” meaning that big plates of food aren’t served. Instead, customers are encouraged to order multiple plates so that they can try a little bit of everything. Inspired by Latin American food and dishes, Chef Jay created the menu based on those flavors with a modern-day twist. Breakfasts include arepas, quesadillas, several different types of egg dishes, and French toast. Lunch includes calamari, Panini sandwiches, and salads. Dinner includes burgers, risotto, and fresh fish. Their in-house alcohol, also made by Chef Jay, is a true specialty with true campesino roots, called “guarapo”. It is a blend of fermented pineapple crust and raisins, has a 15% alcohol content and is served like a beer.

Aroma has been open for just a few weeks, and it’s grand opening was a huge success with a great turnout of both locals and tourists. Avelino entertained and drew people right off the streets, where they enjoyed the food and special homemade drinks. Also, a performance group from Mexico performed a stunning fire spectacle. Since then, the word has been spreading about the aromatic new place in town, and the friendly café lounge is really starting to take on a life of its own.

For Edgar and Catherine, owning Aroma is truly a dream come true. They have always wanted to own a small business near the beach in a warm climate away from the snow and cold of Alberta, Canada, and Aroma has allowed them to do this. From renovating the space to the grand opening, this has truly been a remarkable journey and learning experience for them. They are truly grateful for the guidance and support of Jay Medina and Natasha Pachano, who managed to make the entire experience both fun and exciting.

They have also already started to become a strong, positive influence in the community by sponsoring the annual fundraiser for the children’s school, Educarte, which was planned by Natasha Pachano. The fundraiser was an art museum designed for children, and Aroma was the main sponsor. Edgar and Catherine discussed how much they enjoyed participating in the event, and how they are looking forward to continue doing things like this for the community in the future.

Aroma is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from 9:00am to 9:00pm. They are located in the plaza near Super 2001.