Grub Crawl - 436 and Mills Ave: Aroma and Rogen's

I tried these spots on Tuesday at night. The first replaces Buzzers in a strip mall north of East Colonial (50) on 436. The second replaced a video game bar across from Alfie's on Mills. I went to these places because I was returning from the airport and wanted to knock out places that don't really do daylight. And are open on Tuesday.

Aroma Gastro Bar - I had begun to formulate a description that began with "they did absolutely nothing to it" and ended with "you can pass". I even punted on the small Island-centric menu and ordered what would be the cheapest and quickest escape (empanadas). Partly because they were having a noisy comedy night. But, mostly because I was getting the Spidey tingle. If the jerk chicken empanadas (2) for $10 are any indication of what they are putting out (even at 9pm), then I may have to reconsider my Spidey Sense. One of the empanadas had better chicken than the other. Moist (probably dark meat) versus tougher, drier white meat. I didn't experience alot of jerk flavor. Filled with sweet plantains. The form looked home made. I even tasted a dusting of cheese or something. I didn't give alot of attention to the menu. Not oily. Some of the best empanadas I have had. Came with a green garlic dipping sauce. They had a half dozen other apps. I remember a ceviche and some plantain cups filled with meats. I remember a Dominican guisada, salmon and mofongo as mains. Maybe three more. $22 and up. I called it Island food because I'm not sure if it is just Dominican. As a reminder, the place has a jungle-y vibe/decor. Only open after 4pm. I just read/learned about/of it. However, they said they have been open for ten weeks. I think they do a Sunday brunch. There is a small bar. The crowd was black, latin and white. Probably skews on non-comedy nights. I've put places that just do a snack on the Fav list before. They are a bubble team now.

Rogens - This spot has been a bunch of bars. I believe they opened a year ago. Open after noon, I think. Full. Watching hockey not WBC. Weird. Bar in the middle. Two pool tables on the left. A little grungy. 

*I tried to go to Alfie's across the street. I thought they were only closed on Monday. I also noticed a bar called Grumpy's back towards 50. Hadn't heard of them. The Ming's Bistro on 50 wasn't open. I also noticed today that a H&H Bagels is just starting construction in the strip mall with the Carraba's on 434 near Lake Brantley HS.