Dine Out : All'onda

All'onda Review, All'onda New York

All'onda describes itself as a modern Italian restaurant and it's another one that I got to cross off my list recently when we had lunch there during Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week is a discount dining program that usually occurs every winter and summer in New York City in which participating establishments offer three course dining deals at lunch ($25) and dinner ($38). It's a fantastic way to try fine dining spots for less. Because of timing, we only got to go to All'onda for this round but I hope to hit up a few more restaurants during the summer event. The word All'onda means "of the wave" and the decor of the bi-level space is mostly contemporary with some rustic touches. The cuisine is Venetian influenced with some flashes of Japanese fusion. For our appetizers, we went with the kale salad and tuna tartare ($5 supplement). The tuna tartare had good flavor but it was only a few bites. The kale salad was more generously portioned and it was also over-seasoned. Our entrée choices were the parmesan dashi ramen with porchetta and brussels sprouts and skate with lemon parsley and salted plum. The skate had the better flavors but the portion was minuscule. The ramen was a skimpy portion as well. The broth tasted good but the porchetta lacked flavor and the noodles were lacking as well. This dish is usually $17 and l would've been pissed if I had to pay full price for it.  Dessert was probably the best course and this is coming from someone who doesn't usually eat desserts. The olive oil cake with lemon and basil was moist with a nice subtle flavor. It probably looks bigger in my photo than it actually was. The hazelnut mousse with chocolate crumble and candied orange was probably my favorite dish. The texture was light and creamy and tasty. The service was pleasant enough though quite slow and not particularly attentive. For the standard prices they charge, I would hope that the portions aren't so tiny when it's not Restaurant Week. I can appreciate it when a restaurant offers their usual menu during RW but these serving sizes were ridiculous and we're not even big eaters. I can say that I dined at All'onda but I will not be going there again. For Italian food, Locanda Verde was way more impressive.

Have you dined out for Restaurant Week in New York? Does your city offer such an event?

All'onda
22 East 13th Street (University &Fifth)
New York City
212.231.2236

All'onda Review

All'Onda on Urbanspoon

50 comments

The Dainty Dolls House said...

I would like to eat here, looks wonderful!! I hope you had a great weekend my dear..wish you a gorgeous new one :) xx

Stanislava E. said...

First of all, let me tell you that it's the first time I hear about "Restaurant week". Sounds very nice, and if it was available in my city, I would've sure joined it. But unfortunately, it's not. Sorry to hear that the portions were small. Usually, when I eat out, I don't mind paying more, but I expect more from the food and quantity too. So, I do understand why you wouldn't come back to this restaurant. Have a nice week ahead, Rowena! xo

Jackie Harrison said...

Wow I need to go to this restaurant you did an amazing job convincing me their food is amazing.

Lilli said...

Morning Rowena, unfortunately here we havent the RW event but I wish it was as for me would be an amazing thing to discover new places. Im sorry you had such "so so" experience there, the food seems good though but I really hate when the portions are small, is like a joke! You have to visit me to taste a real Italian cuisine which is also famour for huge portions:P Many kisses dear, have a lovely week! xo

Anonymous said...

Restaurant Week, huh? That is so cool! Too bad this particular restaurant wasn't a total success.

Elle Sees said...

i've yet to do a RW here in Atl! and there are usually some good ones on the list.

Emmylou said...

We have something like that twice a year here in Toronto. It is a good way to try out restaurants IMO. It does suck though when the portions are so small for the prix-fixe menus. It should be the same portion as the regular ones I think.

Shireen L. Platt said...

Ohh, the food looks so darn good, Rowena! I miss dining out but we haven't done so for some time now. The only 'dining out' we've done so far is Burger King, A&W and the likes. We did went for a lovely dinner once in January because my MIL babysit. We just don't think it's wise to walk into a fine dining place with a baby. Many pay a lot for the ambience and food, we hate to bring a fussy baby and ruin it for others. :-)

Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

Margaret Dallospedale said...

Hi Rowena.
The food looks delicious.
Lovely place
kisses
Maggie D.
Fashion Blog Maggie Dallospedale fashion diary

miss b said...

This sounds like a great restaurant and what a fantastic initiative too. I have heard about this in other cities. Sadly it's not reached mine! Thanks for your comment. I hope you manage to return to Notting Hill some time!

Kelsey&Kenecha said...

This place sounds so lovely. The inside look stunning & the food looks great :)

Florals&Smiles
Twitter

Paola Lauretano said...

Wow.... this italian restaurant looks great!!!!!
Delicious food!!!
xo Paola
Expressyourself
My Facebook

Monic Dzej said...

wow, this food spot look so nice!

Anonymous said...

This looks amazing and delicious Rowena, I would love to go there!

Unknown said...

I love Restaurant Week...I can imagine it being quite fun in NYC! I've been to one in Houston when I was living there...it's always such a fun way to explore new restaurants!

http://ourruins.com

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing, seems so good !!!!

Beauty Editer said...

Love this so much!

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Ivana Split said...

I never get why some restaurant give such tiny portions. It's supposed to be posh or whatever. The tiniest portions I ever got served was in one restaurant right next to famous cathedral in Šibenik (Croatia). They charged around 40 euros for these tiny meals that were no bigger than an ash tray,it was ridiculous. Fortunately, that was the only such experience I have. Usually the portions are too large, not too small here...and the prices are usually not that high, even in fancy restaurants.

Anyhow, I did enjoy your photos and your review. Hope next time you find the place you can enjoy to the fullest. Have a great week sweetie!

http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

A restaurant week in NY? Sounds so good. I live in Frankfurt a.M. in Germany, and I don't think we ever had such a special week. However, there are often street food festivals in my hometown, where there are a lot of food street stands from different countries. I love such festivals because one can try out so many cuisines from all over the world. Many restaurants and bars also offer coupons (e.g. 2 meals for 1 price). Those actions are quite cool as well!

I have never been to New York City, but I'd love to go there someday. The restaurant that you've been to looks very nice. Especially the dessert looks so yummy!

Best regards,
Mimi from Mimi's Bulletin

Tales of Whimsy said...

YUM. I'm drooling.

Anonymous said...

I can tell that the portions look tiny! Sorry to hear that you were not impressed with this restaurant experience.

www.LUXESSED.com

ALLIE NYC said...

OH this looks good! Olive oil cake, never heard of this but I would totally try it. And all the food here looks so fresh. Adding this place to my dine out list.

Allie of ALLIENYC
allienyc.com

Jenmarie said...

I've never heard of that cake either but it looks like it would be good. I love how adventurous you are with trying different foods!

Vanessa said...

Looks yummy. ^^
Lovely greets Nessa

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Rowena, I would've been pissed too! You would think during Restaurant Week they would want to at least impress all that come. That is their time to SHINE! So sorry to hear the only good thing was dessert. Definitely a PASS in my book! Thanks for sharing.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

little luxury list said...

I would be so sad if the portions sizes are that small all the time! The dishes sound pretty inventive though - porchetta with ramen sounds divine and I really like olive oil cake!
Thanks for letting us know though! What are your favorite restaurants? Hopefully we can meet up for a meal some time!

xoxo,
little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

trishie said...

We do have a similar food festival in Sydney and another one just for desserts. Stu and I haven't been to any, I guess we just go at regular times.

My Garden Diaries said...

That sounds like a cool way to hit up a lot of restaurants! Though kind of disappointing when the food isn't the greatest. The ambiance is very cool though! And that cake.....I need to do some research to find a recipe for something like that!! Sounds amazing! Here is to a week of beauty my friend! Nicole xoxo

Koka said...

look so tasty♥
wonderful blog!
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Kairzhankaora-koka

Imogen said...

Restaurant week sounds like such a good idea (especially in theory given that there were some negatives about this place). I wish we had such thing here.

Coco said...

I love when you do yummy restaurants reviews, except it's almost lunch time here Lol!
Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose - Valeria Arizzi

Marcela Gmd said...

Wow delicious!!! nice restaurant!!!
Have a good week, dear friend!!! my g+ and like!!!:)))
I have a problem with the hearts in bloglovin, I dont' see....

Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

Samantha x said...

this place looks soo nice! I even love the bar stools! and the food looks so tasty, great post :)

fergzillas*
www.fergzillas.blogspot.co.uk

Samantha x said...

the portion sizes look tiny though, I mean I'm a pretty big eater but surely they're tiny haha :'D they do look creative but I wouldn't really go to a restaurant with tiny food like that, I don't care if the queen cooked it haha

fergzillas*
www.fergzillas.blogspot.co.uk

Blackswan said...

I love Restaurant Week too & it's quickly sold out here in Singapore! I get very excited whenever the dates approach. Gosh, I'm such a glutton! Wish I could join you there, Rowena.

Rebeca Muñoz López said...

The place is nice and the dessert looks delicious, nice pictures.

www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

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buffalo journeys said...

Everything looks delicious, and the atmosphere is very appealing to me. I love restaurants with booths :)
Our restaurant week here is in the fall. We used to go all the time but haven't been since the kids. We're hoping to try it out again this year. It's such a wonderful way to try out new places.

FASHION TALES said...

Ahh, this sounds right up my taste palate. That olive oil lemon basil cake sounds divine. Looks like a very lovely place to experience. I love foodie weeks like this, it's too bad about the broth and noodles though. Thanks for sharing. <3
Sporty Elegance

Hoda Katebi said...

This place looks delicious! So many new foods that I would love to try! I missed restaurant week in Chicago this year because I was out of the country, but you're already getting me excited for next year's! And I also always wonder if the portions are really that small when it's not restaurant week, but when you see photos of incredibly expensive restaurants it seems like they usually are soo that's silly :) I would definitely only go during this week!

<(') hoda | joojoo azad

Midnight Cowgirl said...

Restaurant Week sounds like a fantastic way to try new places! The olive oil cake looks delicious :)

Unknown said...

Such a nice place , i love chic restaurants !
xoxo

www.sorananistor.com

Gabrielle said...

''Coming from someone who doesn't usually eat desserts'', wait Rowena, what?! Seriously though, I'm glad you enjoyed the desserts, this certainly looks and sounds like a lovely place to dine :)

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice

x

nancy @ adore to adorn said...

we have those events as well and I love going to them. They are a great way to get a taste of the restaurant! =D

xo,
nancy

http://www.adoretoadorn.com

Effortlesslady said...

Its a lovely place to eat. So neat.
www.effortlesslady.com

Sophie Sierra said...

This place looks absolutely amazing! <3

Sophie | soinspo xo

sonia // daring coco said...

I'm across the other side of the world, so, no. But I can only imagine how amazing it must be, discovering new places and interiors. I can't wait to come back to NY and try a bunch of places I've made mental notes on.

Sxx
www.daringcoco.com

Lilyconstancee said...

Mmm. looks delicious, restaurant looks sleek and modern but the price omg, for the amount of food, I wouldn't be happy paying the full price either if it didn't satisfy my taste. Great review to hear about restaurants in new york :)

Margarita Bloom said...

I have to admit the olive oil cake looks intriguing. I'd try that.

Regina / Head Glam Girl at Margarita Bloom
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Vanessa N said...

Restaurant Week sounds like 'Winterlicious' and 'Summerlicious' here in Toronto!! Same premise, and though my friends and I have planned to go every year, we somehow always miss it due to forgetting about the dates and/or being overwhelmed by which restaurant to choose of the hundreds @_@
Aw man, too bad about this one being a flop, but those serving sizes do look terribly tiny :I