All’onda Restaurant

Client: Cordula Schultz, CCS Restaurants

Location: 67 Charlotte Street, London W1

Date of Completion: May 2024

Brief: To design a dining space inspired by and dedicated to the unique practice of creating risotto.

Our approach aimed to celebrate the way a few quality materials can be combined to make an elegant and sophisticated space, reflecting the ethos behind good risotto, where sensitive treatment of the right ingredients creates a showcase; a canvas for a special experience.

The name of the restaurant ‘All’onda’ is taken from an Italian phase meaning ‘on the wave’, a reference to the technique of tossing rice in a pan to create the desired effect, and this sense of movement informed our design and helped us to shape the customer journey.
Given the long narrow floorplan, it was important to create an inviting entrance that would draw customers inside, and to punctuate the spatial flow with different seating configurations that establish a sense of evolving mood and atmosphere as you journey deeper into the floorplan. From the casual banquettes and recessed seating area at the front, the interior changes to accommodate large sociable tables with waney edges which can be pushed together for bigger groups sitting opposite the bar and wine cabinet. Finally, towards the end of the space, there is the intimate ‘cave’– a lower mezzanine space divided by one flight of stairs from the front area, which is completely clad by timber slats with a curved radius between wall and ceiling and a large skylight. The lighting follows this evolution, from sets of wall lights to clusters of translucent glass pendants and long tubular lights above each table.
The compact floorplan necessitated a design that would seamlessly integrate the hardworking back of house elements, without drawing attention. To ensure this discretion, the kitchen is in the basement, separated by a flight of stairs. It has an open design, with a pick-up point and large window into the prep area, giving the customer a front row seat for the theatre of the chefs at work. A pebble stone paved corridor transports the customer from the kitchen window to a recessed gallery-like display area along one wall and on to a larger lobby with a surprise element – a large splash of yellow gold colour, a full height wall and shelf clad with micro mosaic tiles.