Bridgestone Guides 2007

Aroma

Donegal Craft Village, Donegal, Co Donegal in Co. Donegal

Tom Dooley & Arturo de Alba

Tel: +353 (0) 74-972 3222

Contact: tomandarturo@yahoo.com

Tom and Arturo’s Aroma is on a mighty roll. Every year the café gets better, and bigger – more seats outside under the awning this year; inside reconfigured in tables of twos.

Every year the bakery gets busier – they are baking seven nights a week these days, for themselves and the meshwork of shops and restaurants to which they supply their sublime bakery products. They open six days a week, all year long, so concentrated and loyal is their customer base. And that customer base is loyal and devoted because aside from Tom’s bread and cakes, Arturo’s cooking simply blows everyone away, from the great signature dish of white wine risotto with asparagus and rocket, to the mighty Thai prawn curry with courgettes. Fantastic food, brilliant staff, and a veritable definition of what the Bridgestone Guides are all about. If only we knew who was the person who, several years back, sent us a wee note, saying check these guys out, they are doing the good thing. Whoever you are, we are grateful for the tip, and everyone else who has discovered Aroma is grateful too.

9.30am-5.30pm, lunch served noon-4pm Mon-Sat

Yes

Take the old road directly into Donegal town, avoiding the new bypass. The Craft Village is a collection of single storey craft workshops south of the town and clearly signposted, 2km or so outside the town.