The Closure Of Aroma Stevenage: What Happened?

Aroma in Stevenage was a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. It was part of the Aroma Restaurant Group, which also owns Alisan restaurant and bar. Aroma in Stevenage is now closed. While some reviews praised the restaurant for its large and spacious setting, good service, and good food, others criticised it for its atmosphere, uncomfortable seats, dirty tables, poor-quality food, and expensive prices.

Poor food quality

Aroma in Stevenage was an "eat as much as you like" oriental buffet restaurant. It served Chinese food and had a three-star rating on Yelp. While some reviews praised the restaurant's food, decor, and service, others suggest that the food quality was poor.

One review from 2010 recommends trying the Teppanyaki, and another from 2012 says that the onion bhajee is "amazing". However, these reviews are quite old, and it is possible that the quality of the food declined in the intervening years. More recent reviews on Yelp give the restaurant a three-star rating, which is consistent with poor food quality.

Additionally, the fact that Aroma offered an all-you-can-eat lunch for around £7.50 may suggest that the food was not of the highest quality. While this could simply be a reflection of the restaurant's desire to offer a good value for money, it is also possible that the low price point indicates that the food was cheap and low quality.

Overall, while there is limited information available, the mixed reviews and low rating of Aroma suggest that poor food quality may have been a factor in its closure.

Unpleasant atmosphere

The atmosphere at Aroma Stevenage was described as "unpleasant" by several reviewers. One diner characterised the restaurant as having a ""canteen feel" with "small tables and chairs" and "uncomfortable seats". They also noted that the tables and floors were dirty, and that the atmosphere was ruined by the constant presence of "unhappy-looking staff watching over you". Another reviewer agreed that the atmosphere was not enjoyable, describing it as a "canteen atmosphere" on a Friday night. The reviewer also noted that the restaurant was loud.

One diner complained about the seating arrangement, stating that they were "squashed between two other families" despite the restaurant not being very busy. They also mentioned the constant presence of staff, describing it as "unhappy-looking staff watching over you constantly". Another reviewer noted that the restaurant was "loud, bright and cheap", which may have contributed to an unpleasant atmosphere for some diners.

The food presentation and quality also likely contributed to an unpleasant atmosphere. One diner noted that the pudding options were particularly unappealing, consisting mainly of "tinned fruit and watery ice cream". Another reviewer mentioned that the ice cream was sometimes played with by children, leaving it melted and unappetising. The main dishes were also described as unappealing, with "watery sauces" and "lumps of gristle".

Unsatisfactory service

Aroma in Stevenage was a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. While some customers were pleased with the food, others were less than satisfied with the service they received.

One customer review from 2005 mentions that the staff were "nice and helpful", and that they were able to accommodate a table for eight people at peak time on a Saturday evening. However, another review from the same year tells a different story. The reviewer, who dined at the restaurant with their young son, describes the staff as "unhappy-looking" and mentions that they were told they would have to pay £3.50 for their baby, even though he was not eating solid food yet.

Another review from 2008 mentions the "canteen atmosphere" of the restaurant, with uncomfortable seats and dirty tables and floors. The reviewer also mentions that the food was either "deep-fried in grease, covered in salt, or undercooked". They also mention that the chef gave them a stern look when they ordered a prawn stir fry, and that the prawns they received were "still wet and grey".

The poor service and unsatisfactory food quality, combined with the high prices, may have contributed to the closure of Aroma in Stevenage. While some customers had positive experiences, the negative reviews suggest that the restaurant may have struggled to maintain a high standard of service and cuisine, which could have led to a decline in patronage and ultimately, its closure.

Unsuitable for children

Aroma in Stevenage was an all you can eat for a fixed price Oriental buffet restaurant. While some reviews praise the restaurant for its good food and value for money, others have criticised it for being unchild-friendly.

One review from 2010 mentions that the reviewer and their partner were charged £3.50 for their 14-month-old baby, despite the baby not eating any food. The staff insisted that if the baby was seen eating, the cost would be added to the bill. The reviewer also mentions that the atmosphere was akin to a canteen, with small tables and chairs, and that the place was filled with other people, making it feel cramped.

Another review from 2008 supports this view, stating that the restaurant is "not a fan of aroma, as the canteen atmosphere on a Friday night makes for anything but an enjoyable relaxing meal." The reviewer also mentions that the Chinese food is very westernised and heavy with MSG and other flavourings, which may not be suitable for children.

While some reviews mention that children enjoyed the freedom of eating what they wanted, the overall consensus is that the restaurant was not very child-friendly, with uncomfortable seating, cramped spaces, and staff who were not accommodating of young children.

Poor value for money

Aroma in Stevenage was an all you can eat for a fixed price Oriental buffet restaurant. While some customers were happy with the value for money, others were less impressed.

One review from 2008 criticised the quality of the food, describing it as "deep-fried in grease, covered in salt or undercooked". The reviewer also mentioned that the restaurant was "VERY expensive for what you get" and that they were surprised it was "still open". Another review from the same year described the food as "pretty good" but took issue with the "canteen feel", small tables and chairs, and the fact that the restaurant was "squashed". The reviewer also mentioned that the price was "a bit too high for what it is".

Another customer, who visited Aroma in 2005, described the restaurant as "loud, bright and cheap", but went on to say that the quality of the food was "pretty low". They also noted that the crispy aromatic duck was "not crispy". A different reviewer, who also visited in 2005, described the restaurant as a "nice pay and eat as much as you can" place, but said that the drinks were "pricey".

In conclusion, while some customers found the fixed-price buffet to be good value for money, others felt that the quality of the food and drinks did not justify the cost. This discrepancy in reviews could be due to a number of factors, including changes in management or chef staff over the years, or differences in individual expectations and preferences.

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