In the heart of Fitzrovia, founder Cordula Schulz and head chef Andrea Granzarolojoin forces for a risotto-centric dining experience at All’onda. The team provides guests in Central London with an experience worthy of Lombardy, the birthplace of both Granzarolo and his most cherished dish, risotto.
All’onda, meaning ‘on the wave’ in Italian, refers to the act of making this dish, when rice is tossed in the pan creating a sort of smooth wave-like motion in the ingredients. This is the mission statement for the restaurant: putting risotto right in the centre of attention.
Taking the place of Navarro, the dark wood-panelled room provides an elegant and intimate atmosphere for this decidedly high-end institution. Here, each step is treated with a high level of precision, starting with the restaurant’s sleek and elegant design. Tables are also finished with wave-like edges, a subtle call back to the restaurant’s name.
For starters, try the beef tartaccio, a mix between tartare and carpaccio, with smoked soy sauce. Other dishes which caught our eye are the white asparagus and sea bream crudo with yuzu kosho.
All of the options here aim to draw attention to the star of the show, risotto, offering a number of seasonal risotti which determine which other mains are available that day. The menu includes classic versions of the Lombardian specialty, as well as some more fun options like the nduja and cuttlefish risotto, matcha spring vegetables or lobster risotto, to name a few. The coffee, black lime and sweetbread option is not a bad choice either.
To complement these, guests are invited to try the roasted pigeon served with fig, carrot and tamarind, or the white miso glazed aubergine. Each of these beautiful looking dishes have surprising colours and shapes, making it almost impossible to resist taking a photo.
Find this refined risotto restaurant on Charlotte Street right in the middle of one of London’s most historic areas.