Onda Restaurant

03/05/10

Love this place- Food is so good

by donflagg at Citysearch

This restaurant is such a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. They really offer something different than everything else around. Not noisy like Nelson Blue, Not Stuffy like Stella Marie. Just casual and good.

• Pros: Location, Food, the Owner
• Cons: none

08/31/09

Amazing and original dishes, great service

by pbouk at Citysearch

My wife and I have been to this restaurant several times. Each time it has not disappointed us.

The ceviche dishes are all expertly prepared. They have a crab salad and an avocado salad that are both quite amazing. The soft shell crab entree is ridiculously delicious. They grilled a whole bass that was moist and cooked perfectly. We have yet to find an item on the menu that we did not devour. Their daily specials are definitely worth checking out also. Very original and wonderful stuff going on here.

They have great cocktails, and a selective list of decent regional wines from Argentina, Chile and other areas that are not terribly marked-up and very interesting.

The place is decorated warmly. It has a feel of some old place in Havana. The bar is very cool and comfortable. A great place to go after work. There are a couple of sidewalk tables which are usually taken so you have to time it well if you want to sit outside while the weather is still nice.

The staff is attentive and responsive. The owner is personable and pleasant and has always been great with menu recommendations. We've been there with our infant daughter and they made us feel right at home. A welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Highly recommended and a rare find in New York.

07/28/09

Delicious food and wonderful staff

by AmeliaPA at Citysearch

My friends and I heard about Onda and went to try it. Started off with some mojitos - not too sugary not too minty: just right. Then ordered the curry chicken empanada and malanga chips with dip; the chef sent a complimentary order of ceviche with a dollop of guacamole of the perfect consistency.

Our waiter was very friendly and allowed me to test out my "restaurant Spanish."

The staff allowed my friends and I to enjoy the dishes and checked in on us at appropriate times. The decor had a Latino/Caribbean feel with somewhat New England cottagey furnishings blended in - for an overall homey feel.

For entrees some of us had the soft shell crab entree. The crab came on a bed of whipped sweet potatoes and salad greens with mango and beet cubes in a most exotic salad dressing - spicy yet not over the top. My other friend had the salmon with a spicy glaze which was also delicious.

The chef is from my home country - Guyana. He knows his food and is talented at pairing things well with absolute flair. Enjoy!

• Pros: Savory food and great cocktails
• Cons: location

07/01/09

Great meal, well worth making the trip

by raymanfu at Citysearch

Onda was a little quiet for a Sat night, but I only ever judge on food - not atmosphere. We decided to give it a try and are so glad that we did!

The food was staggering. With a party of 5 we got to try a little of everything. Without exception the food was phenomenal. Some of the tastiest, freshest ceviche I have tasted in ages. The meat dishes were also great. I shared a meat sampler platter with a friend and it was all delicious. We also greatly enjoyed an Argentinian Malbec from the wine list that paired well with everything.

If you are in the area you should definitely put it on your list to try. It is going on my list of restaurants worth crossing town for!!

• Pros: Great fresh ceviche

06/21/09

cute neighborhood spot, but dissapointing service

by kiity at Citysearch

I was excited to try Onda as there really isn't much in the financial district. Unfortunately my friend and I could not get over the terrible service from the bartender. For example, we ordered the taro chips appetizer with 3 dips. It was not described on the menu much so when it came we asked her what they were. Her response was " I think this one is a tomato thing and that one is a garlic thing and I don't know what that one is." We expected her to come back with an appropriate explanation, but instead asked us if we had figured them out. I'm sure the chef would not appreciate his food being described in that manner. The food seemed promising, but good food cannot overcome poor service in my opinion.

• Pros: progressive latin menu for FiDi
• Cons: crappy service