Allonda

Overview

Back at the start of 2022, Kevin Docherty and Sebastiaan de Kort gave Brisbane a 90-seat venue for meals and drinks that heroes seasonal Australian produce by revamping Paddington's Nota — turning the whole setup into a neighbourhood go-to. But why just have one such joint to your name when you can have two? That mightn't have been the motivation behind Allonda in Newstead, but it's the result all the same with this Brisbane restaurant that also opened in 2022.

Tucked down a laneway space off Longland Street, Allonda also seats 90. Its menu favours modern European-style, designed-to-share dishes as well. It's firmly a sibling venue to Nota, and the pair of restaurants will celebrate each other (there's even a Nota sour made with Frangelico and hazelnut on Allonda's cocktail menu). But as well as sitting on the other side of the CBD, this relative newcomer is carving out its own look and feel.

Think: modern and casual compared to Nota's rustic heritage decor. Think: neutral colours, stone, polished concrete aplenty and textured finishes, also. That's what patrons will find when tucking into a bite in the main dining room or knocking back beverages at the bar — or, you can go al fresco in the laneway.

A big point of difference stems from Allonda's mezzanine level that can be used for private functions, and its raw seafood and burrata bar. For those keen on the ocean's finest, the raw options are sourced locally, while cheese fiends will find different flavour pairings tempting tastebuds.

If you only try one dish, make it the signature risotto all'onda, aka the eatery's namesake option. It's a Venetian risotto that chases the perfect combination — not too dry or too brothy — with Docherty and de Kort taking inspiration from that pursuit of balance, which all risottos need in their blend of butter, parmesan, stock and temperature, for the restaurant's overall philosophy.

Other standout menu items include the chargrilled octopus that sits atop a tangy onion and pickled walnut puree and the 500-gram sirloin steak from Riverine served with a black garlic puree, celeriac remoulade and decadent cognac mustsrd. Or, there's chicken liver parfait with onion jam, tempura fish sandos, and Eton mess and caramelised white chocolate mousse among the desserts.

The group's sommelier Yanika Sittisuntorn is overseeing an evolving 90-bottle wine list, including focusing on lesser-known and experimental varieties — just as at Nota.

There's also a special cocktail menu designed by bar manager Ben Horswell, featuring espresso martinis with toasted marshmallows, a yuzu, gin and wasabi number named The Serpent and a mango margarita for those feeling a little fruity.