A Coastal Italian Escape: Le Onde in Elkins Park
Tucked away in Elkins Park, Le Onde ( BYOB) offers a transportive dining experience that blends the flavors of Italy with an undeniable focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. From the moment we arrived, the warm ambiance and impeccable service set the tone for what would be an unforgettable meal. This is a must visit !!! Tell them ThePhillyFoodFanatic says hello !! Our evening began with two standout appetizers. The Peach Burrata was a beautifully balanced dish, where the creaminess of fresh burrata met the sweetness of baked peach, while crispy prosciutto di Parma and asparagus added layers of texture and depth. A house-made white balsamic glaze tied everything together, making for a refreshing yet indulgent start.
Equally impressive was the Seafood Mezze, a stunning assortment of expertly grilled calamari, octopus, prawns, and shrimp. The smokiness from the grill elevated the natural sweetness of the seafood, creating a dish that was both simple and deeply flavorful—a true testament to the kitchen’s expertise in handling top-tier ingredients.
Moving on to the pasta courses, the Linguine di Mare was a seafood lover’s dream, packed with plump mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari, all tossed in a light yet flavorful garlic butter white wine sauce. The cherry tomatoes added a vibrant acidity that complemented the dish beautifully.
The Tortellini Tricolore alla Boscaiola was a rich and indulgent contrast, featuring delicate tricolor tortellini enveloped in a luxurious truffle Alfredo sauce. The combination of earthy wild mushrooms, savory mild Italian sausage, and the umami depth of Pecorino Romano and truffle oil made for a deeply satisfying dish that lingered on the palate.
For dessert, the Caccou Cake provided the perfect finale. Layers of strawberry mousse, blueberries, and crushed almonds soaked in milk created a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth experience that was both refreshing and decadent.
From start to finish, Le Onde delivered a dining experience reminiscent of an Italian seaside escape. With its refined atmosphere, expertly crafted dishes, and dedication to high-quality ingredients, this Elkins Park gem is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic and elevated...
Read moreDisastrous Date Night, Never Again!
Le Onde Ristorante was a complete disappointment. My wife and I rarely get a night out, and we decided to try something new instead of going to our usual spot, La Piovra. Big mistake.
First, the Lobster Ravioli ($32)—if you can even call it that. The pasta itself was clearly frozen, and the filling was nothing more than a bland puree. But the worst part? The "sautéed crab meat" in the sauce was riddled with shells. I pulled out nearly a teaspoon of them in just two bites. Absolutely inedible. When I brought it to the attention of the staff, they did nothing. No apology, no offer to remake it, and to top it off, they left it on the bill. Unbelievable.
Next, the Penne di Funghi e Pollo ($24) was just sad. The chicken tasted like it had been boiled, completely devoid of flavor. My wife barely ate a few bites before deciding to take it to go, not because she wanted to enjoy it later, but because she couldn't stomach any more of it in the moment.
Dessert should have been the saving grace, but of course, it wasn’t. We both ordered the Torta Calabrese ($10 each), which was supposed to be a chocolate tres leches cake with cherry mousse and blueberries. Instead, it arrived covered in raspberry sauce—despite our server describing it otherwise. My wife is allergic to raspberries, so she had to send it back. That was the final straw.
We ended up walking next door to La Piovra for dessert, and honestly, we should have just gone there from the start. The fact that Le Onde didn't even have the decency to remove or discount the disastrous lobster ravioli from our bill is mind-blowing.
This was one of the worst dining experiences we've had in a long time. If you’re thinking about trying this place, don’t. Save yourself the money and frustration. There are far better...
Read moreCame here with a friend at 6:30 on Friday with reservations. We were seated immediately. Our first seat was next to a window and there was a lot of cold draft coming through. They allowed us to move towards the middle of the restaurant which was much better. Food didn't take long to arrive to the table as well.
The table gets some nice hot rolls of bread and a healthy scoop of butter. We started off getting the peach burrata. The baked beach was delicious and fresh. The combo of sweet and salty came through nicely with the burrata and crispy prosciutto. Very light and satisfying app.
For dinner I got the squid ink spaghetti vongole from the specials menu. The pasta was delicious and the texture was great. I enjoyed the amount of clams in the dish. Only 1 had a tiny bit of grit in them. The cherry tomatoes and the light sauce really made this enjoyable.
I forget the name of the dessert but it was delicious and not too sweet. It had fresh blueberries on top and crushed up pistachio and walnuts with a light fruity mousse.
Only knocked off a star because my friend ordered the Orecchiette Le Onde because she loves fava beans and it was completely missing from the dish. When we brought it up the waiter merely brought out a small cup of unsauced/unseasoned fava beans LOL. Instead of taking the dish back and fixing it they thought the customer should mix it into the dish themselves? Kinda ridiculous. They opted to comp our dessert instead and that's only after my friend suggested it as a way to...
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