We mentioned recently that chef Caroline Martins had recently vacated her spot at Exhibition, the food hall just off Peter Street, to take her Brazilian British fusion concept back to the kitchens at Blossom Street Social.
Earlier this week, the space at Exhibition was quickly filled by new concept, to complete the food offering along with Osma and Baratxuri.
So welcome to Onda – a modern pasta kitchen a collaboration between from the team behind Gooey and pizza pop up Rise. Chef co-owner is Sam Astley Dean, who has previously worked in highly esteemed kitchens such as Chester Grosvenor, Fera in Claridges, Chez Bruce, and Elystan Street.
He returned to his native Manchester ready to take on a concept which was still high end, but also more approachable to diners and afforded him a better work life balance.
Onda, which means wave in Italian is a new pasta bar for Manchester. The menu will offer six small pasta plates that are made to share, including cacio e pepe, seasonal pesto cavatelli, scallop and crab raviolo, and beef cheek ragu pappardelle.
There’s also an impressive looking spaghetti carbonara presented with an egg yolk on top waiting to be burst open and mixed right in.
Guests can also carb load with the likes of burrata, focaccia and garlic baguettes made in house as well as Caesar salad, and seasonally changing fritti (delicious fried fish and or veg which is a popular Italian street food.)
Two big sharer trays will also be available – one with Gnocchi, spinach and Parmesan bechamel and the other, their take on the popular vodka alla penne, made with lumache pasta spiced up with heapings of nduja and Parmesan cheese inside.
On Sundays, Lasagne will be added to the menu served with greens and garlic bread. There’ll be two: a classic al forno and lasagne blanca – which is basically the ingredients of a cacio e pepe but as a lasagne.
Chalkboard specials will be available according to seasonal ingredinets and there’ll also be a £10 lunch deal on offer.
Bowing to the Italian love of sweet things, there’ll be desserts such as Tiramisu and home made gelato.
Onda will open 12-9pm Wednesday – Sunday at Exhibition, 1 min walk from The Midland/Albert’s Schloss.
Follow @ondapastabar
