Delicious food & ambiance! We went on a night where they had live music. I had the corn empanadas and they were great, especially with the chimichurri sauce. The seafood enchiladas were also very tasty. read more

dLeña - Such cute decor - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This spot was close to where I was staying in DC. Normally, I opt for cuisines or levels of service I can't normally get out west, but dang, it smelled amazing when I walked by. Totally surprised to be seated as a walk in. Where do I start? Service, friendly and impeccable. Food? Creative and fabulous. Queso fundito, I ordered the mushroom because I figured to have meat later in my meal. Large and so nuanced in flavor. I easily could have stopped with it, but I didn't. I also had the fresh corn and Wagyu beef empanadas- I know, no one needs two orders of empanadas after all that glorious melted cheese but they were amazing. I also ordered their kale salad - totally original and fantastic. In short, this is a special little place, especially for DC where they aren't known for great Mexican food. This is not a two item combo plate kinda joint. This is a place that celebrates and elevates Mexican ingredients and cuisine. But, they aren't haughty or over priced. Just welcoming and a truly nice surprise. I took my leftovers back to my Airbnb and had a feast the next day as well. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town. Thank you folks, your food and service made my trip! read more

I went for a birthday and I was kind of underwhelmed by the experience. The food was great, but the service was lackluster and uninspired. The dining area is warm and clearly inspired by Mexican, rustic living with the exposed beams and the cactus plants in the windows. The dim lighting was good to add a little mysterious ambiance. It was well done. However, the service was lackluster to the point I am very clear as to why they lost their michelin star. I put in my reservation that it was my girlfriend's birthday. The host mentioned it, but the server gave very low energy once we got to our seats. The pallet cleanser (hibiscus sweet tea shot) was a nice touch upon being seated. Other than that, the server was largely absent and seemed to depend on the runners to wait the tables answering questions and fulfilling follow-up orders. It was busy that night, so clearly there are those who still enjoy the restaurant. The experience left a lot to be desired for the price point and I will not be in a hurry back. The kitchen is clearly up to standard, but the front of the house has fallen asleep at the wheel and ruining what would otherwise be a great experience. read more

Maybe it was my high expectations, or bad choice of menu - but I was underwhelmed by the overall experience at dLeña. We went for Saturday brunch. Got chilaquiles, shrimp ceviche and birria tacos. Oh! two margaritas. I will say - they make great margaritas! We had mango and strawberry, both were fantastic. Food, however, was underwhelming. Chips were way too soggy even for enchiladas with mediocre grade sun dried beef. Birra tacos were pretty good / above average- nothing out of the ordinary. Shrimp ceviche like dish was ok; flavors were great but the quality of shrimp was sad. Overall, I think I expected a little more from this place given all the rave reviews. Service was OK, atmosphere was hip / modern. Loved it was family friendly and we were able to eat, pretty easily with a baby. I'm glad I got to try dLeña! Was it worth the hype? Will i be back again? Probably not read more

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What a fantastic find this was, incredible service, amazing atmosphere, great cocktails and exceptional food. I ordered the tomahawk steak, broccolini, carrots, queso fundio, and the kale salad. Steak was cooked to perfection, tender and seasoned well, the carrots were amazing, best carrots I've ever had in life lol. We woke up talking about those carrots lol. The salad was refreshing and very well made. My uncle ordered a cauliflower dish that was terrible, I mentioned it to the waitress because she asked if it was good and we were honest it wasn't lol. Said they would remove it from the bill which wasn't necessary next day I noticed they still charged me for it but no big deal we had a great time and are well. Definitely will be back. Oh yeah can't forget about the oysters de Lena, omg hands down best oysters I've ever had at a restaurant. I thought new Orleans has it locked but these were fantastic read more

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I really enjoyed dLeña's food. Went for brunch, got birria tacos and ceviche, a couple other dishes. The two I mentioned were my favorites. We realized we should have done a bottomless / all you can eat instead of ordering a la carte. Ambiance / vibe is great; stunning decor. Service was pretty fast, exactly what I expected. I will consider coming back with the boys and pig out on the delicious food & drinks!! If you can eat, go for brunch! read more

dLeña - Birria Barbacoa Taco - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food is always amazing here plus the ambiance is perfect for a date. Book ahead they are always booked up 90% of the time. Literally you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu everything is good. read more

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I don't have enough good things to say about dLeña. The vibes were so cute and intimate and the bar downstairs was such a great finish to the night. Our waitress was very attentive and made sure all of our questions and dietary restrictions were addressed. The food itself was amazing. The entrees were so well done and yummy. It mains and fajitas were innovate and a very modern take to Mexican food. The one thing I would skip next time would probably be the ceviche. It was good but not as amazing as everything else. We will definitely be back! read more

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We went to brunch at D'Lena and actually opted not to do the bottomless option because the a la carte seemed like a better deal. The bottomless food is $45 pp and the bottomless food and drinks is $69 pp. There is not an option for bottomless drinks without the bottomless food, just FYI. The whole table had to agree on whether you want bottomless foot or not. I think their bottomless option would be great for a big party or birthday brunch. We each ordered an entree and split a couple appetizers and had 1 drink each, and it came out to about $36 pp before tip. The highlights from the menu included the pork belly guacamole and grilled street corn. We split these for the group of 4. My favorite highlight was my own entree, the carnitas skillet! It was a huge portion with warm tortillas and delicious sauces. I would highly recommend the carnitas. My husband had the chicken and waffles, which was a little lackluster. But other than that, the food was great! Our server (I think his name was Troy) was super energetic and fun. He was thorough and prompt and made the whole experience even better! I think we want to come back and try dinner service for a different experience at D'Lena. Overall, I would recommend. read more

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We dined in the private back room, which had a moody, dark ambiance that matched the overall vibe of the restaurant--it's a stunning space and perfect for a group dinner. Corn Empanadas - A surprising standout! I wouldn't typically order these, but I'm so glad we did. The slight sweetness of the corn paired with the spices and dipping sauce made this a must-try. Traditional Guacamole - This was just okay. It didn't stand out much and felt pretty standard. The chips were fresh and crispy, but I'd probably skip this next time. Coliflor a la Leña - This roasted cauliflower dish was a pleasant surprise. It came with both white and purple cauliflower, which made it visually appealing. It was flavorful and even held up well cold the next day. Enchiladas (Shrimp & Crab) - I wanted to love these, but they didn't quite hit the mark. The ingredients sounded exciting, but the flavor just didn't come through. Not bad, just not memorable. Medio Pollo al Carbón - Unfortunately, this was quite dry. The seasoning didn't save it, and I wouldn't recommend it. Milhojas de Pancake Argentino - This dessert was a hit when all the elements were combined in one bite--the crepe, caramel, ice cream, and strawberry worked beautifully together. On its own, the pancake had a bit of a sour tang, but it balanced well with everything else. Service - The staff was pleasant, but we ran into an issue with the minimum spend requirement. We weren't informed how close we were to meeting it until the very end, at which point the kitchen had closed. We ended up ordering a round of drinks we didn't really want just to hit the minimum. It also felt a bit rushed toward the end of the evening, which put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable night. Overall, dLeña is a visually stunning spot with some standout dishes, but a few missed notes and service hiccups held it back from being a five-star experience. read more

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We had a WONDERFUL galentines brunch here and left feeling full and tipsy! $70 is a great price for bottomless drink and food- especially when margaritas are involved! All the drinks were tasty and alcohol was not skimped on at all. Even when we exceeded are 2 hour table time, our waitress was generous enough to let us have 1 last round. The food was so good too, we tried EVERYTHING on the menu and our bellies showed it. Top choices for me was the carnitas, birria and fish taco, and salmon. The fruit parfait was a miss for all of us- too sour. And the steak and eggs was a little dry. Lastly, of course we had to end on a sweet note and the churros did just that ! read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We made a 5:00 PM reservation for a party of 8 for my friend's birthday. It was clearly marked as a birthday when we booked it. This was not a walk in. We planned it. We chose 5:00 specifically because of Ramadan so we could break our fast at 6 PM. The timing was intentional. Before we even ordered, Henry told the birthday girl that we had to be out by 7 because there was an event after us. So you accept a birthday reservation for 8 people at 5:00 and expect the entire celebration to be wrapped up in two hours. Why would you assume a birthday dinner for 8 people would be done in two hours. Celebrations usually require more time, not less. If anything, you allocate more time for a birthday table. If there was a strict time limit, that should have been communicated when the reservation was made. You use OpenTable. You require a card to secure the reservation. You send confirmation texts and reminders. OpenTable allows restaurants to message guests directly. So you can text to confirm and hold a card, but you cannot text to communicate a hard out time. That makes no sense. The manager never came over. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. At 6:36 PM, which I have timestamped photos of, we were told we could not order any more dessert because of the time restriction. That is twenty four minutes before 7. We were being cut off from ordering with almost half an hour left. They dropped eight spoons on the table when they brought the small birthday dessert, which clearly signals ordering more. When we tried to order churros, Henry said no because of the time restriction. When we asked to take them to go, we were told no because the ice cream would melt. I have worked in food service for four years and have never refused to sell a dessert because ice cream might melt. That felt like an excuse. We then tried to order crème brûlée to go and were told no because of the proportioned container it comes in. That makes sense from a packaging standpoint, but it was still unfortunate. At that point it felt like everything was being shut down instead of accommodated. Henry's service was not terrible, but it was very mid. He made a couple recommendations and that was about it. Nothing particularly attentive. Nothing warm. Nothing that balanced out the rushed feeling. It felt transactional. While we were packing up, Henry and the busser stood there watching us. It was uncomfortable and obvious we were being pushed out. A 20 percent gratuity was automatically added. I understand automatic gratuity for large parties and I usually support it. But with very mid service and how poorly this entire situation was handled, it did not feel earned. The food was okay. The regular and crab guacamole were the best items. The short rib tacos were good but overpriced for the portion. The salad, branzino, and prawns were good. The chicken was mediocre. The short rib entrée had good flavor but was very fatty and turned congealed once it cooled. Bottom line, if you accept a birthday reservation for 8 people, you allocate proper time for that table. If you cannot, communicate it upfront. Do not wait until guests are seated. Do not start cutting them off at 6:36. This was avoidable and it needs to be fixed. read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fantastic experience from start to finish, featuring delicious food, excellent service, and welcoming ambiance. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, making this a place I cannot wait to revisit again very soon. read more

DLeña is an incredibly beautiful place, perfect for a celebration or a romantic dinner. We went to celebrate our anniversary, and overall, the experience was good, though there were a few things that could improve. I started with a mezcal and passion fruit cocktail, which, unfortunately, wasn't to my liking. For an appetizer, we had the pork belly, which was delicious, with sweet notes and a very soft texture. For the main course, we shared the 14 oz ribeye. The flavor was good, but it lacked a bit of salt. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which seemed expensive for a $63 dish, especially since you have to order sides separately. I also tried the mushroom birria tacos, which were incredible in flavor, but the portion of birria was quite small. To finish, they gave us churros to celebrate our anniversary, which was a lovely touch, and the service was impeccable. read more

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The waitstaff was knowledgeable and very attentive. 2-3 managers came by to check on us! Our drinks were fantastic. The food was . Would highly recommend to anyone who likes taps They even put us in a table by the window which had a beautiful view! read more

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Came here visiting from out of town and opted for the all you can eat brunch and the vibes were great! I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the staff were friendly. Food tasted amazing as well! read more

Dleña has become one of my favorite restaurants in DC. We went to have some dinner on a Saturday night to celebrate a special occasion and the experience was wonderful from beginning to end. It is truly one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants I have been to in the city; the ambiance is amazing. Every single plate we ordered was cooked to perfection. Some stand outs for us were the simple yet flavorful ceviche, the corn empanadas, and the half chicken (my personal favorite). Our server was the best ( I wish I could remember her name). We were celebrating a special occasion but we weren't drinking at the time so she offered a non-alcoholic complimentary beverage for the two of us which was very thoughtful. All in all, amazing from start to finish and I couldn't recommend it enough. We will be returning for sure ! read more

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I hosted a business dinner for 30 people here in February 2025 and it was a huge hit! The food was delicious (highly recommend the guac, seafood empanadas and pork!) and the service was impeccable. Even with a group this large, they were attentive and quick to serve. The event planner, Nora, was a joy to work with. It was an added bonus to head downstairs to the speakeasy for some live music with our guests who wanted to continue connecting. I highly recommend D'Lena. read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Everything was a 10 out of 10! Brought my daughter here for lunch since they had a day off. The birria tacos are amazing! A little small, but the flavors are definitely there. The service was really good. They checked on us just enough to be attentive without overwhelming us. And the ambiance was fantastic. I can see myself returning for a date night with hubby. read more

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A sheik restaurant with Mexican and Latin cuisine, great atmosphere, good food and drinks. I sat at the bar for dinner, dim lighting and clear view of the open kitchen layout. The margaritas are a good place to start, really good. The guacamole and corn empanadas are a nice pairing, enough to share, definitely recommended. For main meal I ordered the seafood enchiladas 3 tortillas filled with shrimp, crab and guajillo sauce. I enjoyed the appetizers more, not as flavorful as expected but filling. The bartender was very cool and helpful. A bit pricey but overall satisfied with the atmosphere, service and meal read more

dLeña - Margarita Tradicional - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is a vibe and is so delicious! We didn't have reservations so we went down to the lounge, and I am glad we did honestly. The service was great, there was live music and was a awesome environment to just chill. AND the food...OMG was literally the best. We had corn empanadas and short rib tacos. I cant wait to go back and try more items! read more

dLeña - I'm still dreaming of these short rib tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I do not get why this place is so popular. For brunch atleast. This is the second time I've been here for brunch and again the wait staff suckssssss!!!! I am by far the easiest patron to deal with. I don't complain, I don't make outlandish requests, yet the second time in a row I had a waitress that seemed to have an attitude the entire time. Like the people working there either don't want to be there or it's just me. Then after the bill came out and paying that 20% tip on the tablet felt like a slap in the face after dealing with the cold attitude the entire time. This is the last time I'm coming here for brunch probably on my own accord. If someone is having a bday or something there I'll prob have to go but this isn't one of my first choices for brunch anymore. And the food was mid at best. Below that if I'm being honest. Wasn't good enough for the price. Ambiance was okay. But yeah this place is def overrated in my book. Not a fan. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience at Roja at dLeña. We came during one of their Latin jazz nights and it was just great vibes and ambiance all around. It's a dimly lit, romantic space. The jazz trio playing that evening was fun and had great sound. We had the queso fundido with cecina and you can tell the blue corn tortillas they serve it with are fresh. The corn empanadas were yummy with a good strong corn flavor. The short rib tacos were tender and flavorful. We had the crepe cake for dessert and it was to die for, the salted caramel ice cream that accompanies it should be sold by the barrel, it was truly amazing. The I Can Feel It In the Air marg with strawberry air was great and my boyfriend really enjoyed the Don't Mess With a Classic and the Senor Rogers. Excellent service despite being a very busy night. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I've heard so many good things about this restaurant, so I'm glad I finally got to try it out myself! There is indoor and outdoor seating, which the inside was smaller than I expected. I came for the RW lunch deal which included 3 courses. My server was Troy and he was so full of energy and did a wonderful job checking on me throughout my meal. The corn empanadas were different than I expected as it dripped with cheese and corn with every bite but not bad. The tacos were the best!!! They are street taco size but tasted so good! The cheesecake was in high demand and they were close to running out but luckily Troy had my back and made sure I got it! So good!!! read more

This was our second time visiting dLeña, and it was such a treat. The dining room is welcoming, the staff are friendly, and of course the food was 11/10. I was especially impressed with our server, Kristyana-- I've worked in a fine dining restaurant and her service was on-par with that level. She got all the details right (it was my wife and I's anniversary) and gave just the right level of attention. As for the food, we loved the maryland crab guac, seafood enchiladas, short rib tacos, and the crepe-based cake (I forget the actual name). We can't wait to come back! read more

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One of my favorite places to go for bottomless brunch. dLeña was nice enough to accommodate a party of four for a last-minute reservation. The food was amazing as always. I just wish the server would've worked with me a little bit more. I have celiac and have eaten at dLeña before, and they have accommodated me to partake in most dishes. However, this time around, the waiter kept saying "imposible, imposible". At first I was annoyed, if they've done it in the past. What was the difference this time? In the end, I just went with the flow. The food tastes delicious, the drinks are amazing. My favorite was a margarita. It a great time! Note, it can get rowdy, so don't expect to come to brunch to have an intimate time. read more

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dLeña is my absolute favorite brunch restaurant. The food is beyond spectacular and always amazes me. Also the hospitality you receive when coming here is just .. outstanding. Truly. I always recommend dLeña for anyone looking for delicious food and drinks. Ambiance 20/10 read more

dLeña - Dleña Crispy Chicken Waffles** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Updated review as of 8/3/24 It was my birthday celebration and my girls took me to the bottomless brunch because we are all foodies. I think we put a nice dent in the menu with a couple of things to spare. But, this time I was able to try the Carajillo Crème Brulée and OMG I tasted brûlée before at other places but nothing like this. Please do yourself a favor and save room for this; figuratively, it's to die for. Let me know your thoughts. Ambiance is always inviting and on this occasion we had the best waiter, "Troy". He was so attentive to out every need. He was my personal birthday hype guy. My niece invited me to the Bottomless Brunch on Saturday. Little did I know what to expect when I got there. Yes, I perused the menu slightly before going. But sometimes, things look different once they are right before you. Since she is a Gen Z (and I trust her taste), I let her take the lead in ordering for my sister (her mother) because she had come here before. She started with the Seasonal Fruit Cocktail, Dleña Caesar Salad, Steak and Eggs, and Dleña Crispy Chicken Waffles. Then we felt the need (since our eyes were bigger than our stomachs) for this incredible Crab Guacamole (which was extra, which was every bit worth it, OMG). Then it continued with every dish, more delicious than the next. I intentionally tried not to eat much in the morning because I knew I wanted to try (if possible) a bite or two of everything on the menu. It had nothing to do with the cost of the brunch; it had everything to do with wanting to write a comprehensive review of the meal/experience. I'm so sorry to report that it didn't happen. When the waiter brought the last couple of dishes, I couldn't muster enough strength to put another thing in my mouth. But, it's funny, I was able to take two bites off a Churros before leaving; go figure...don't judge me. My mother was a professional caterer for decades, and she was meticulous about not only the food's taste but also the presentation. dLeña's bottomless brunch was fantastic. Chef Richard Sandoval's food was so flavorful, and every dish presentation was just as meticulous. It is a true sign of a professional who cares about his name and what it represents. More importantly, he loves what he does, which shows in the meal. Thank you, and I look forward to returning to one of the other dining experiences. Unfortunately, I was not thinking about taking photos this round because I was fixated on the many dishes coming out. The next time I go there, I will. read more

dLeña - Carajillo Crème Brûlée - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had Fourth of July brunch here yesterday. It was spectacular!! Maria was our server and she was so helpful and attentive and friendly and professional and hard-working!!! The food was fantastic too! But Maria made all the difference!! I cannot wait to come back! read more

dLeña was on both of our lists, and we were down to splurge on a nice meal. We had high hopes for the food here after hearing so many great things. While the service was good, we were not impressed or wowed with what we ordered. The little hibiscus drink sampler was very nice in the beginning, though! QUESO FUNDIDO - 21 We got ours topped with cecina (beef) since our server recommended that. The cheese had a nice pull, but it hardened really quickly which made it hard to spread on our corn tortillas. The corn tortilla were really stale, like they were left out forgotten for an hour. The cheese was good, topped with lots of caramelized onions, but nothing worth writing home about. The salsas on the side were a nice touch. MARYLAND CRAB GUACAMOLE - 23 The Maryland crab was plentiful and the guac was so flavorful with lots of spices and toppings including Old Bay mayo, chili salsa, and more. The cripsy tlayuda on the side was meant to be used to enjoy the guac with, but it was also really stale and hard to eat/chew. We ended up eating the guac with our other foods. I honestly would have just eaten the guac on its own, but it's a bit too salty. CORN EMPANADAS - 17 This comes with three of the most perfect shaped and golden brown empanadas. We both don't like cilantro and we wish we knew there were cilantro in them. Besides that, the corn empanadas were definitely unique and the pastry was perfectly crispy. The corn was sweet and the filling was juicy and flavorful. We liked these a lot except the cilantro in it. WAGYU STEAK A LA PIEDRA - 60 This was probably our favorite, but given the price point, it better be! It comes in a sizzling cast iron plate on top of a block of wood. The steak is best enjoyed medium and it was on top of some fajita pepper stir fry for extra flavor. The steak was very tender and juicy. It was enjoyable on its own, but this also comes with some corn tortillas on the side (these were actually soft and good) along with guac, sour cream and salsa. We enjoyed this, but it's also $60 for six pieces of steak, so... CREME BRULEE CALABAZA - 14 This creme brulee option seemed to be seasonal. It was topped with some fruit (blackberry, blueberries, etc.) and a mini churro. A server brought it out to us and poured some alcohol on top of it before torching it to caramelize the alcohol. However, the lighter was not working, so the alcohol sat on top of our creme brulee for a few minutes before he came back with another lighter. He only torched it for 5-10 seconds before walking away and we could still see the layer of alcohol on top of our creme brulee. Overall, not good. The creme brulee was fine, but it was ruined by the strong alcohol taste that was still left on top. If done properly, I think this would have been quite good. Overall, not a great experience and I don't think it's worth dropping that much money on food that did not wow us. Given the hype of this restaurant, we left pretty disappointed. read more

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Brunch at dLena is a vibe. Beautiful restaurant filled with happy people enjoying life. There's a bottomless food & drink option that is a good deal. This is tapa style brunch, small plates. You'll want to order more because the food is tiny , although yummy. Service was efficient given how busy brunch was. It's very pricey given the portion size. I'd call this a celebration brunch spot. read more

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Went for lunch during restaurant week and again about two weeks ago. Food was amazing both times. Ordered the ceviche for an appetizer, the salmon for main course and tried both the churros and the salted caramel gelato. Ceviche was really fresh and citrusy with a little kick from the jalapeños. Salmon was cooked perfect and had lots of flavor especially the corn it was plated with. Churros were cooked to perfection and the sauce was just the right amount of sweetness. The salted caramel gelato was good but was not a fan of the crumble that was at the bottom. Taste kind like a shortbread cookie but didn't have much flavor or really add to the dish. Service was good both times and love the aesthetic of the restaurant. Would love to try the speakeasy downstairs. read more

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Atmosphere and service were awesome all around! The hostess squeezed us in without a reservation, and the outdoor section was lovely! Now, the reason for the 3 stars...was the food. It was extremely average and lacked the flavor I was expecting. Because we did the bottomless brunch, we got to sample a huge chunk of the menu...and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. The premade cocktails that come with bottomless...meh. Now I will say, the food I had at the bar (before I opted for the bottomless) was tasty. That mimosa was good and not flat and the guacamole was bomb. After surveying my friends, they agreed as well. Would I come back if invited, yes. Would I do the bottomless...probably not. read more

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Outstanding experience from entering the door through desert. I has the barbacoa tacos and was amazed. This isn't just your typical taco. The meat is layered in a savory sauce and topped with a radish. Whatever else is probably written in the description, so see for yourself, but let me tell you that every bite is a dream. read more

dLeña - Agua Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Service: The service from our waiter was great. She explained the menu and gave us recommendations. Prompt service, food came out quick. What I didn't appreciate was the service at the front desk. The man who greeted us had an attitude when we came late for our reservation. Even after I apologized as the show we were coming from ran late and we had to wait longer than expected for our Uber. Food: The food was not what i expected. There was not much flavor and didn't taste "authentic". I think social media overhyped it. The standout was the bone marrow and tuna Chicharron and Maryland crab guacamole. The ceviche was bland. The short ribs tacos were dry. The grilled oysters were decent. I also ordered a cocktail called Guave Me Please and it was all juice. $19 for a watered down juice? That's just ridiculous. Ambiance: Cool interior and bar area. There is a speak easy downstairs but I didn't get the chance to experience it. My party of 2 people spent over $200 before tips and I don't think it was worth it. Will not be coming back. read more

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Fun restaurant with outdoor patio dining and lively scene. Some really flavorful guacamole and short rib empanadas highlighted the apps. Also had guacamole with crab, but the crab felt and tasted more like chicken, it was still delicious, but maybe not worth the extra cost for us. All the drinks were good, everyone enjoyed them. Even flights of tequila. The chicken dish I had reminded me of the best Chicken Tandoori you ever had. Yeah I know that's Indian and this is a Mexican restaurant, but that's what it reminded me of. Very flavorful, very boldly seasoned and marinated. The main difference is that chicken tandoori is so dry wherever you get it. But here the chicken is moist. It didn't come with any carb like rice or tortillas, but maybe they want you to leave space in your stomach for more drinks haha... which isn't a bad thought! Our server was really sweet, didn't get her name. Was a fun way to spend an evening for our group of 8. read more

dLeña - Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Brunch at dLeña did not disappoint. The vibe was chic and energetic, with a beautiful interior that made the whole experience feel elevated. We started with the guacamole and chips--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly portioned. I had the brisket benedict and it was insanely good--rich, smoky, and balanced with just the right heat. Drinks were on point too--the smoky Bloody Mary was a standout. Service was friendly and efficient. It's definitely on the pricier side for brunch, but the quality and ambiance make it worth the splurge. read more

I just went for my brother's birthday and we had a great time. Our server, Laheera, was very knowledgeable about the menu and efficiently helped us order and get our food in a timely manner. Justin, the service manager was also very kind and also had a hand in making my birthday one to remember. Thank you to Laheera and Justin! 10/10 I do recommend. read more

Came for Happy Hour with my girls on Friday! The place opens at 5 p.m. and by 5:10 p.m. the bar was mostly full. The food is okay and not what we expected. All of us were Hispanic so perhaps our taste buds are used to more authentic cuisine. Actually my girl told the server specifically that the food was just "eh". The bartenders check ID's which is great but not when you forget your ID. They are so strict and we definitely look older than 21. It's cute too cause the bartenders looked younger than us. Whoa! Give these old ladies a break kiddo! I ordered Sauvignon blanc and then saw another beverage down the bar. I tried to order that drink too at approximately 5:20 p.m. and was told that I couldn't have two beverages. I thought that was the oddest thing ever. Who can't have two beverages and why? (Slowly looked around for the alcohol police? None were present.) I wanted the second drink so I asked him to take the wine back. Odd rule, as I would have gladly paid for both of those drinks had he just obliged to my ask. The Happy Hour Menu is limited. The crab guacamole was not what we expected. The crab was flavored with barbecue sauce, it was fair but nothing we would come back for. Maryland crab with old bay would have been great as is, the barbecue threw it off for me and the girls. The barbacoa tacos were okay, they came out warm not hot so that was part of the reason they were just okay. I think the service, strictness of the ID's and also the one drink rule ruined the whole experience for us. Happy hour is supposed to be happy and well the bartender was so serious it just wasn't the vibe we wanted. Unsure I would return but glad I knocked this off my list! read more

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Love this place. The staff, the food, and ambiance is just great. My spouse and I have been at the this restaurant several times and each time has been a little different. I am a fan of their kale salad and from spring to summer it changed a little bit, but each time is delicious. Their queso fundido with mushrooms is just too good. Love it. We are especially grateful for their management including Mr. Justice who always makes us feel welcome. We will keep coming! read more

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