AROMA ESPRESSO BAR UNVEILS INTERIOR AHEAD OF BETHESDA GRAND OPENING (PHOTO)

The wall in front of the future Aroma Espresso Bar in Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has been removed.  Shoppers passing by are getting their first look at Aroma's sleek interior. But the first coffee from the Israeli version of Starbucks won't be poured before late next week.

An Aroma spokesperson says they are targeting Saturday, February 9 as the opening date. But stay tuned, as that could change.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR OPENING DELAYED

Aroma Espresso Bar, which finally acquired its liquor license last week, says its planned January 28 opening is being delayed.

A spokesperson said the new coffee bar and eatery - the Israeli equivalent of Starbucks - now plans to open on February 5 or 6.

Aroma is located in Bethesda at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR BETHESDA SNEAK PEEK! (PHOTOS)

Bethesda may be days away from the opening of the first Aroma Espresso Bar in the DC area.  As you remember, Aroma is essentially the equivalent of Starbucks in Israel. But unlike Starbucks, Aroma will also have beer and wine on the menu.

The store says their original December 15 target opening date may slip by a few days, due to unexpected delays.

While we're waiting, here are a few images of what the finished Aroma will look like:

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR APPLIES FOR BEER AND WINE LICENSE

The future Bethesda location of Aroma Espresso Bar at Westfield Montgomery Mall is applying for a beer/wine liquor license from Montgomery County.

Existing Aroma locations in New York City and Florida offer beer and wine on their menus.  Alcohol offerings differentiate Aroma from competitors like Starbucks.

Aroma is scheduled to open next month, and their liquor license hearing will be in mid-December.

AROMA ESPRESSO BAR - ISRAEL'S BIGGEST COFFEE CHAIN - TO OPEN BETHESDA LOCATION IN DECEMBER

UNIQUE MENU ITEMS

COMING TO

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY

LOCATION

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Big news for Bethesda caffeine fiends:  The Israeli version of Starbucks, Aroma Espresso Bar, will open a Bethesda location in December 2012.

Aroma has chosen to expand in some interesting and underrated locales, such as Romania, Ukraine and Poland.  Their US expansion has been largest in New York City.

I've never been to an Aroma cafe, so I have to turn to my NYC sources, who have been to the Upper West Side location.  Their consensus was that the coffee was no better or worse than Starbucks, and the food was what gave Aroma an advantage over competitors.

Well, I'm looking forward to giving Aroma a try, and coming to my own conclusions.

Examining their menu, I notice they have some unique items:  Alfajor South American cookies, Rugalach, Pancake Bites, and Bulgarian pastries called Bureka.  But they are savory pastries, rather than sweet.

There is a Mediterranean influence on the sandwich, salad and breakfast menus, and a pudding called Sachlav, with coconut, pistachio and cinnamon.

I'd like to have more international chains like this open here.  Vapiano and Kraze Burger were two of the most interesting restaurants to open in recent years, and their origins overseas brought new variety to their menus.

Look forward to taking a caffeine break during holiday shopping this December, at Aroma in Westfield Montgomery Mall!