Mystery Diner in Crystal Lake: Aroma Coffee & Wine home to more than drinks

Aroma Coffee & Wine in downtown Crystal Lake is not just a coffee bar that serves wine in the evenings. Its selection of food was a delightful surprise, with offerings for breakfast and lunch, along with small plates for the evening crowd.

Located at 77 E. Woodstock St., the locally owned cafe offers food in addition to its selection of espresso beverages, wine and seasonal craft cocktails. Each menu item has a suggested beverage pairing, a fun touch.

We were there recently for lunch, and I ordered the California flatbread ($13), which came with avocado, chicken, pesto, Parmesan and a balsamic barbecue glaze.

It was very good. The crust had a nice crunch, and the flavors were appetizing, with the balsamic barbecue glaze a particular treat.

A number of flatbread options round out the menu, good choices for lunch or dinner. All of the oils and vinegars come from The Olive Tap, also nestled in the downtown.

Among the options are the Classic ($12), which comes with fresh mozzarella, tomato, roasted garlic, basil, olive oil, a balsamic reduction and seasoning; the Countryside ($14), with a fig spread, prosciutto de Parma, Parmesan, arugula and balsamic fig glaze; the Forager ($14), with sautéed yellow onion, mushrooms, spinach, pesto and creamy brie; and the Mediterranean ($13), with a house-made garlic spread, a blend of Mediterranean olives, roasted red peppers, spinach, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, along with a balsamic drizzle.

My fellow diner chose one of the handhelds: the Bavarian ham sandwich ($11), served on a pretzel roll with honey ham, Dijonnaise, smoked Gouda and sliced Granny Smith apple.

Sandwiches are served with a side salad, which can be upgraded to a side of soup or kettle-style potato chips. On a chilly day, the soup was a nice addition.

My companion said the sandwich was well prepared – not too much bread in proportion to the fillings – and a tasty combination overall.

Other sandwich and panini options include the Tuscan panini ($10), with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto de Parma, pesto aioli, roasted tomato and fresh arugula on polenta toast; Baja panini ($11), with grilled sliced chicken breast, sun-dried tomato aioli, fresh mozzarella, baby spinach and avocado on polenta toast; Goldilocks grilled cheese ($11), with mild cheddar, smoked Gouda, and a jalapeño-and-fruit chutney on polenta toast; and the turkey, apricot and brie cold cut ($11), with shaved turkey breast, apricot chutney, arugula, fresh tomato and brie on multigrain bread.

A children’s version of the grilled cheese was also available.

Aroma Coffee & Wine offers breakfast options before 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and until 1 p.m. Saturday, serving small plates after 4 p.m.

In addition to two parfait variations, the breakfast menu includes the metro morning sandwich ($7), with a fresh-baked croissant, all natural sausage or bacon, cage-free fried egg, sharp cheddar and a zesty sauce; the veggie breaky ($7), with multigrain bread, roasted tomato, baby spinach, cage-free fried egg, sharp cheddar and a zesty sauce; millennium toast ($6), with smashed avocado spread on multigrain toast, shaved radish, micro greens and sriracha seasoning; and sunny-side-up flatbread ($13), with three sunny-side-up eggs from Yuppie Hill Poultry in Burlington, Wisconsin, along with spinach, thick-cut, hardwood-smoked bacon and white cheddar cheese.

The small plate offerings include olive oil with Tuscan Parmesan bread ($7); warm rosemary nuts ($6); pistachio hummus and pita chips ($7); and pretzel knots ($9).

More than just a coffee shop, Aroma Coffee & Wine is worth a visit for its full menu.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at the Northwest Herald. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

Seeking reader suggestions: We welcome readers to share their recommendations of places they would like the Mystery Diner to visit. Please email ideas to tips@nwherald.com.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Aroma Coffee & Wine

WHERE: 77 E. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake

PHONE: 815-513-5193

INFORMATION: aromacoffeeandwine.com