Aromas was recommended by a group of women dining at the table next to mine when I visited Copper, the restaurant in the historic Price Tower. On the last night of my trip to Bartlesville, I decided to visit this downtown Italian eatery, and I was not disappointed in my choice.
Aromas is one of several downtown Bartlesville restaurants in old storefronts. On the Friday night I went there, the restaurant was very busy, but I had only a short wait to get a table for one. Several nights a week, the restaurant features live music; I was told that on some evenings a local jazz singer entertains there. On the night of my visit, a pianist provided nice background music of popular standards and Broadway showtunes. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very nice, and even with the large number of patrons and the music, the noise level was not bad. A number of tables are in semi-private booths, providing a nice romantic setting for couples.
The menu at Aromas is typical Italian, with a nice selection of more upscale, innovative dishes in additional to the traditional favorites. There is also a pretty extensive wine list and a full bar. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine, fresh Italian salad, and an excellent chicken entrée served with a small side of pasta with marinara sauce. For dessert, I selected the outstanding Italian crème cake, which was moist, full of fresh nuts and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.
The service was flawless and very attentive. My water of glass never went completely dry, and refills of wine were provided from the bar very quickly. My waiter was attentive and checked back regularly to make sure everything was up to my satisfaction, but did so in an unobtrusive manner.
Additional information: Aromas is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.