After years of turnover, a long-troubled restaurant space in West Conshohocken may have finally found its footing with Aroma on Ford, writes Caroline O’Halloran for SAVVY Main Line.
The former home of Stella Blu has cycled through multiple concepts in recent years, from Imbibe Food & Drink to Catch 101. Now, local investors Gary and Gail DeSanto are betting on longevity with Aroma on Ford, an Italian restaurant with South Philly culinary roots.
The DeSantos purchased the building for just under $1 million earlier this fall. Shortly after, they partnered with the Cardillo brothers of Aroma on Third to bring elevated Abruzzese cuisine to Montco. The result is a fully refreshed space featuring cozy banquettes, a revamped bar, warm lighting, and Italian-inspired design touches throughout.
Executive chef Joe Cardillo anchors the menu with nine shapes of house-made pasta, fresh bread baked daily, and scratch-made desserts. Standout dishes include malfadine bolognese and “Gary’s” paccheri with jumbo lump crab in spicy tomato sauce.
Behind the bar, Andrew Perrot leads an inventive cocktail program using techniques like fat-washing and infusions.
With a strong ownership team, and deep culinary bench, Aroma on Ford is positioning itself as West Conshohocken’s next dining mainstay.
To learn more about West Conshohocken’s Aroma on Ford, visit SAVVY Main Line.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in January 2026.
