USA – Aroma Kitchen & Winebar, winner of the 2005 Citysearch Award for “Best Wine Bar” announced the opening of the Farmhouse Room, 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 made from Douglas Fir trees, it comfortably seats 24 guests. Accessed through a narrow staircase and winding catacombs, the journey gives each an unmistakable feeling of traveling through Venetian passageways. In creating the Farmhouse Room, owners Alexandra Degiorgio & Vito Polosa 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 can be found here, transporting 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. Welcome to the Farmhouse. Romantic. Intimate. Italian. To schedule an Aroma tasting or an interview with owners Alexandra Degiorgio & Vito Polosa interested media please contact Workhouse Publicity, Anna De Souza directly by telephone 212. 645. 8006 or via email anna@workhousepr.com.

Relaxed. Intense. Italian. Aroma Kitchen & Wine bar is an Italian restaurant intent on taking guests to refreshingly new levels of Italian food and wine enjoyment. Located next to the Bowery Bar in the East Village at 36 E. 4th Street between Bowery and Lafayette, Aroma feels like a secret wine bar in Rome. From the moment Alexandra Degiorgio greets you at the door, to the first scent of wine selected by Vito Polosa visitors to Aroma experience a casual, honest environment and dishes that capture the flavor and soul of Italy. It's a cozy space, yet it feels expansive. The wine list includes over 150 Italian wines, divided by region, including an extensive “by the glass” program. With seats comfortable enough for dining at the bar, a dining booth in the back and a sidewalk veranda, the restaurant seats 30. Additionally, Aroma’s cool Farmhouse Room, a private, subterranean escape, is accessed through a narrow staircase and winding catacombs and comfortably seats 20 guests.

MENU AND VENUE INSPIRATION
Alexandra Degiorgio and Vito Polosa’s childhood in the Mediterranean was founded in a culture with a strong, stable culinary tradition where great pleasure is derived from food and where dining is an experience to be savored. Great meals lasted for hours, bringing family and friends together. These meals were always prepared with local and fresh ingredients and with love, care and attention.
Since moving to New York, Alexandra and Vito have seen the same passion for food and drink but found the experience is rarely savored or remembered here. This passion is also often hindered by a fear that delicious food cannot be healthy for you.
After they met in November 2002, they created an escape in their home by hosting frequent dinners to celebrate friendships and family, food and wine. They dreamed of creating a restaurant that would bring back the values of fresh, local food that is carefully prepared coupled with wonderful wines and genuine service. Alexandra Degiorgio and Vito Polosa opened Aroma Kitchen & Winebar on March 2005 with a  vision to take guests to new levels of Italian food and wine enjoyment making every meal a memorable experience.

ATMOSPHERE
Aroma is a study in contrasts: The urban/rustic interior features exposed brick, a dark wood bar with natural edges juxtaposed with mirrors framed with brushed steel. The room is softly lit by both contemporary chandeliers and flickering candles. Aroma doesn't have a fancy cellar, but even the red wines are served at just the right temperature. Brought together by their shared passion for food, wine and entertaining, owners Degiorgio and Polosa are both as active behind the scenes as they are in front of the house. Alexandra, a native of Malta, was formerly a consultant for American Management Systems (AMS), an international information technology firm. Vito, from Potenza, Italy (just South of Naples) has extensive experience in service as waiter, head waiter or manager at such NYC restaurantsas Fiamma, Da Silvano, Bice and Il Gattopardo. Most recently, he was a wine salesmanfor Winebow, one of New York's largest wine and liquor distributors. The team brings passionate, focused intensity to the art of relaxing hospitality. They plan to share their enthusiasm with wine tastings, directed pairings and other educational programs.

HOURS
Aroma is open for dinner Tuesday – Thursday 6PM – 12AM, Friday – Saturday 6PM – 1AM, Sunday 5PM - 11PM. Aroma is open for "aperitivo" Tuesday – Friday, 5PM – 7PM  Aroma is located at 36 E. 4th Street between Bowery and Lafayette. For more information call 212-375-0100.