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I finally crossed dLena off my "to go" list and must say that it lived up to the hype for me. So, we came here to celebrate a friend's birthdate and everyone agreed that this was a great selection. The timing of our visit also worked out perfectly, as it was still Restaurant Week. I started off with the Tamarindo Margarita, which was a great start. The drink was not too sweet with the perfect mix of tamarind. For my appetizer, I then had the Empanadas de Wagu, which was absolutely delicious. The flavors in this dish were everything. My only critique was that my empanadas weren't brought out hot, they were actually lukewarm. Despite the temperature, these empanadas were bussin! For my main course, I had the Seafood Enchiladas. The pairing of all the flavors, spices, sauces, and meat was perfect, offering a unique, delectable taste that I look forward to having again the next time I visit. For my dessert, I had the Creamy Corn Cake which I thoroughly enjoyed. The service was good, though it started off giving the impression that it may be a little rocky, which turned out not to be the case. The ambiance of dLena was cute with intimate vibes. Overall, we had a great experience and I will definitely be back.
Looking for a fantastic place for lunch look no further, this place is incredible great seating and the wait staff was fantastic. Moving to the food, the lunch feast was amazing, from the fundido to the pollo with broccolini to the sorbet all were teaming with flavor. Highly recommend this place. Good value too!
Came here for dinner with some friends and sat outside. We tried a number of smaller plates and I did really enjoy the corn empanadas but was a bit underwhelmed by the other dishes we ordered especially for the price. Service was good and very friendly but one of the drinks we ordered came with lipstick on the glass and I will admit that soured the experience a bit too.
We sat at the bar and it was the best decision. We were so well taken care of! Dlena is one of those places that makes dinner feel special. It's a great place to go with friends, date night or solo. It's very intimate, dark and cozy. We came for the steak which was amazing but the star of the show for me was the branzino. I loved the sauces on the fish -the red side was my favorite. I was also super shocked at how good the carrots were! They were sweet and savory perfection. The crab guacamole was also delicious. Everything was so good! Can't wait for my next visit.
I've heard great things about dLeña so I decided to have my birthday brunch here. The decor was beautiful and there was plenty of space inside. They offered a bottomless food and mimosas option so that is what we ordered. Their brunch is a bit different from other bottomless brunches because they bring out everything on the menu to you instead of you picking. Everything I tried was good but there were some items I favored much more over others. I would likely visit again to try their dinner menu. The atmosphere was nice, the service was great, and the food was good. I also got a birthday treat.
In DC, looking for a memorable dinner experience and chose dLeña. The ambiance is excellent! Because we did not have a reservation, we sat at the bar. I enjoyed my food more than my husband enjoyed his. My favorite thing that I had was the corn empanadas - - I would come here again and again to eat these. They were absolutely delicious plain. They were also absolutely delicious with the chimichurri sauce! I also ate the birria de hongo tacos. The birria gave it a smoky flavor. All of the flavors of the various ingredients mixed together really well, but I would still try something different if I came back here. My husband had the Wagyu beef empanadas. He loved how full they were in terms of content on the inside, but did not enjoy them enough overall that he would want to come here again.
Was told to try saddity Latin and that's what I'll do! This place is beautiful, a lovely spot to go on date night, if you will. We went for lunch and they have an express lunch menu where you receive an appetizer, main and a dessert; this, in my opinion is the best bang for your buck. Plus, they really try to get you in and out in an hour, should you have to go back to work. I got the lobster tortilla soup, Salmon Zarandeado and gelato. The soup tasted phenomenal, the salmon was cooked to perfection and the gelato (I believe it was salted caramel) wasn't too sweet. I think the presentation is beautiful and the flavors are on point; although, I would not be able to bring my partner as he would leave hungry. The service was nice; although, towards the end of the meal I felt rushed as they needed to prepare for dinner.
This is a really strong four--almost a five. The food was fantastic!! We got the lobster soup, corn empanadas, short rib carbon, cauliflower, and crème brûlée. All of them were really good--the cauliflower was probably the biggest surprise--it kind of just looks like a big hunk of cauliflower, but it's smokey, charred, saucy, and scrumptious. I'm not a vegetarian, but I could happily eat that as my meal. The brûlée also felt special with a coffee profile. My husband's old-fashioned was very booze forward--I don't think he minded, but it definitely lacked subtlety. The restaurant is beautiful and the presentation is lovely. My only ring is the service. It was attentive, but it lacked warmth.
Deleña has the best drinks in the city! The Mercardo margarita is to die for. I'd go back for that alone. The food is also very flavorful and a little adventurous (this was my first time trying bone marrow). The mushroom tostadas are a great meat-free option even if you do eat meat.
Came last night before a comedy show at the Capital One Arena and OMG...10/10 hands down I have no notes. We went in right as they opened, on a Friday at 5 pm, and there was already a line! The reservations were full, but we were offered a seat either at the bar or outside. Luckily it was a beautiful day so we took a seat outside. They started us off with a sweet hibiscus flavored juice as a palate cleanser which was super refreshing. The left side of the menu had appetizers and shareables, while the right side had entrees. We ordered the short rib tacos, pork belly, wagyu empanadas, and seafood enchiladas. Everything had a beautiful bright orange sauce on it and made it look like it would be spicy but it wasn't! I think it's their signature guajillo sauce and it was VERY good, super creamy. Seafood enchiladas: This was my fav. Might have been because it was extremely hungry and it was my first bite. Definitely best when eaten warm, as the cheese is gooiest and the seafood inside is hot. I wasn't sure how the salad was going to be but it added a perfect refreshing and acidity to balance out the creamy sauce. Wagyu empanadas: Much gooey-er and cheesier than expected, but also a hit! Came with a decent amount of beef inside. Comes with the orange sauce and a chimichurri, which I think was a good idea because given how cheesy and creamy the filling already was, the chimichurri was a nice balance as well. Pork belly: Melts as soon as you cut into it. The Asian in me low key wanted a giant bowl of rice with this so that I could soak up all the sauce and veggies. Pretty fatty so if you're not a fan of that you might not like this. Short rib tacos: These were loaded, not with meat but with tons of crunchy topping (maybe fried carrots?) Could have done with slightly less crunch but overall still good. The orange sauce on the bottom had a peanuty flavor which I thought added a unique kick. Also, we were surprised at how quickly the food came out. We were in and out in under an hour. Our server Rebecca was also extremely nice. Will def be back if in the area. Highly recommend all around!
Love DLeña's express lunch! Great deal for 3 courses - $28. Typically not busy and you get great food and service. We started with the queso fundido which was tasty and flavorful and the guacamole which was fresh 2nd course were fish tacos and DLeña burger. I enjoyed my burger which was seasoned impeccably. My colleague really likes her fish tacos. By the 3rd course we were stuffed but managed to take 2 bites of both desserts which were great. Highly recommend if you have never been to DLeña before or want to grab a 3 course lunch for an affordable price
Came here for brunch while on a staycation in DC. I would suggest getting a rideshare, taking the Metro, or finding a nearby parking garage because street parking is VERY limited in the area. Now, dLena was an experience. It's a Mexican restaurant that specializes in its talked about brunch. We made reservations ahead and were greeted by pleasant staff who escorted us to our table. We were presented with the menu...I thought I had to choose what I wanted to get...little did I know that the menu WAS everything we were getting To be honest, there were roughly 17 items (around 16 for us since I am not a fan of mushrooms and that was one of the dishes) with each one bringing a unique, complex, tasting experience. Some I liked, some I didn't, but there were none that I found outright unappealing. The staff were pleasant, professional, and described every item that was brought to the table, which we really appreciated. The manager came to our table due to a misunderstanding with the party next to us and was so understanding and apologized, which we really appreciated. The ambiance was busy, but chill at the same time, it was a great vibe. All in all, I WILL BE BACK to dLena!
Been here twice - first was for a happy hour, second for dinner. Both times the service has been great, the wait staff are super kind and accommodating of food allergies. Kind of a dim lights vibe with a wraparound bar and table seating, as well as a basement area with a bar and live music (you can also order food downstairs!). Very vibey, and my friend loved their mezcal drinks. We tried the corn and wagyu empanadas and both were excellent. The guacamole was also great, but I might pass on the queso next time - lovely presentation, but just isn't my thing. The salsa that came with it was incredible, though! My entree was the pescado tacos. They were excellent, though a little heavy on the sauce, in my opinion. I want to try the birria tacos if I make it to dLeña again.
My friend had hyped up dLeña so much, I was super excited to check it out! We had made a reservation for Sunday evening, but ended up showing up early and getting seated with no issue. The interior decor looked really nice, but I didn't get to see much of it, since we sat in the (dog-friendly) outdoor area. For drinks, I got a glass of the La Posta Pizzela Malbec, which was fantastic. This was my kind of wine! My friend and I also shared the Tuna Guacamole. The avocado was super fresh and I liked the spicy tuna chunks and tortilla chips. For my entree, I chose the Short Rib Tacos, which our server advised was the most popular taco dish. I really wanted to like these, but sadly they weren't my favorite. The way the peanut flavor mixed with the citrus just didn't seem to work, and consistency was overall slightly mushy. However, I loved my friend's Ensalada de Kale. The smoky flavor of the manchego was so good with the caramelized pumpkin and crunchy agave almonds. I'd totally return to dLeña to try some different items in the future! read more
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Customer S.
Hi Allie, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your…
11 months ago
Bottomless brunch is very very difficult to accommodate for people with allergies or food preferences. They were so confused about what each dish contained and definitely brought me items with pork in them as a vegetarian. Drinks were bad. read more
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Customer S.
Wow! We're so grateful to hear you enjoyed your time at dLeña. We try…
I recently got a chance to try the chef's table at DLeña with my wife. We had such a great experience. Our host and the chef did a great job outlining and presenting each course of their menu. It was a very exclusive dining experience. My wife and I had our own table facing the kitchen and we got to see different dishes coming out that weren't necessarily ours. Aesthetically, Dlena is a beautiful restaurant and has a very romantic feel to it. read more
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Customer S.
Wow, perfection!! We're thrilled that you were able to indulge in the…
10 months ago
Great bottomless brunch! On the pricier side than most bottomless brunches I have been to, but the food was good so the value was there. We came here on a Saturday with a reservation and the overall vibe of the restaurant was clean, open and friendly. The bottomless brunch lasts for two hours once you get seated and everyone at the table has to do bottomless as a group. My two favorite dishes were the salmon and the steak and eggs. Both were cooked wonderfully, and I kept ordering multiple servings. Our friend had some dietary restrictions and I felt that she was a little limited on her experience but overall the experience was still great and we spoke to a manager about that who was very receptive to our feedback. I will definitely be returning. I'm interested to see their non-brunch menu items and just how things are at a different time at the restaurant. Great for a bigger parties, but I think they have a private room. You can go to if you have a gigantic party. Thanks dLeña. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Breanna! Thank you for the wonderful and detailed feedback on our…
Had a lovely dinner date at dLena--definitely a cute spot with a great vibe, perfect for a night out. The ambiance is stylish yet cozy, and the service was attentive and welcoming from start to finish. One of the best things about dLena is the appetizer selection--there are so many great options, you could easily build a full meal just by sampling a few. I started with the guacamole, which had a great texture and was nicely balanced with acidity--super fresh and flavorful. For my main, I went with the branzino, which was delicious. It was perfectly cooked, tender, and seasoned beautifully. I really appreciated that it was served completely deboned--no hassle, just great food. The accompanying slaw and avocado made assembling little tacos a fun, interactive part of the meal. I also tried their green juice, which was interesting. A bit heavy on the celery juice, but still refreshing and a nice palate cleanser. One heads-up: they do require at least half of your party to be present before seating, so make sure you coordinate arrival times or you'll be waiting around. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Kay! Thank you for sharing your lovely dinner experience at dLena!…
1 month ago
Had such a great experience at dLeña! The food was delicious, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We tried several dishes, and everything was well prepared with generous portions. The tacos were definitely a favorite! The atmosphere was beautiful and perfect for brunch or a girls' day out. Great food, great vibes, and an overall enjoyable experience. I'd definitely come back!" read more
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Customer S.
Wow, Tia! We’re so excited you loved the delicious food and the…
1 year ago
Thanks to IG, my friend and I decided to have brunch here and I'm glad we did. The space is large and warm at the same time, with a very large covered patio space. The bar area is also a good size and doesn't overwhelm the space. The hostesses are super friendly and our server was great. He answered our questions and gave us recommendations when we asked. We decided to do the unlimited brunch. I appreciated that each dish was served with two servings which made for easy sharing. The variety is great and each dish could stand on its own. Do yourself a favor and go in to try as many dishes as you can. There is a 2 hour limit, as stated on the website and, while 2 hours flies by when you're with friends, it's a reasonable amount of time. I'd been to places where 1.5 hours is the max and that extra half hour is everything. read more
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Customer S.
Yes, Marivic! We're so glad Instagram led you to us, and even…
8 months ago
To begin, dLena has inspired me to start reviewing restaurants because it deserves the recognition. On that note, here is my first ever review!!! Perfect date night dinner!! We arrive a few minutes before our reservation at 5 and waited by the door to be let in since they open at 5! The two of us were seated in the side room at a corner circle table with a booth big enough for 4! Our server (I think her name was Rebecca) and her assistant were amazing and very tentative. The assistant greeted us with their house hibiscus juice, delicious. They checked to make sure we did not have any allergies first thing. We started with a mango flavor casa margarita and I got the Mercado. I was worried it may be too spicy but I asked our server and she said not too spicy unless you are not a fan of spice. She was right! I do not like super spicy and this was perfect. Definitely a unique drink so if you are thinking about it give it a try!!! I would give it an 8.5/10. Mango margarita was definitely sweet and very mango forward. We started with the wagyu empanadas and traditional guacamole, both 10/10. I will be dreaming of the empanadas every night for the near future. Getting full now, but for dinner I had the short rib tacos. Another 10/10. My boyfriend had the Wagyu Steak a la Piedra and loved it! The perfect elevated fajita, it comes with tortillas and guacamole, molcajete sauce (didn't know what that was but was delicious), and crema fresca. As a fajita fanatic, he said they were the best he has ever had. Brussel sprouts were great as well. Again, the server assistant was constantly checking our table and clearing what we were done with, and refilling water. Server also checked in after receiving every dish to make sure we were happy! Bathrooms were beautiful and clean. They are down the stairs. I came in saying I needed to get dessert, but by the end we were so stuffed. So if dessert if on your mind, plan accordingly. 2 appetizers and a meal are more than plenty for 2. I wish we lived closer to return sooner!!! This is definitely a must try place, and lives up to its reputation! read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for choosing dLeña to inspire your first-ever restaurant…
Days later and I am still thinking about this place. Hands down one of the best meals I've had, with the rest of my group agreeing. The atmosphere is modern and cozy. Service was great. Food was incredible. The crab guacamole, bone marrow pulpo, wagyu fajitas and branzino were all 10/10. Can't wait for my next trip to DC to eat here again. read more
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Customer S.
Thank you so much for this glowing 10/10 review, Yeva! It's such an…
Went a couple of weeks back to experience their bottomless brunch with a friend. The hostess was extremely nice and the staff seated us quickly as we made a reservation. This place is definitely a popular destination because it was packed to the brim which added a nice, lively vibe to the environment. The bottomless brunch is for food and drinks. The food is offered in small portion sizes, but endless refills that can shared comfortably between 2 people. The fruit cocktail was the freshest item on the menu and it a great starter. The best was the small sized chicken and waffles and the steak and eggs. If I did not have to keep flagging down the waitress to ask for a refill on our mimosas, I would have rated this place 5 stars! I think our waitress was overwhelmed with other tables that day, so I will not hold it against the restaurant as a whole. Will definitely be coming back! read more
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Customer S.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience at…
8 months ago
Well I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I saw a lot of reviews so I expected it to be good well it was below average. The appetizers are amazing only reason this isn't 1/2 stars. Tasty appetizers. Now the main dish. I got wagyu steak and lamb. I was expecting some really nice stuff but it was just below average. The wagyu steak felt like it was going through a spice crisis. The lamb wasn't nice. I don't even know how to explain it. The main dish I got wasn't really what i expected and I am disappointed. This is the first time a restaurant messes up steak. I don't even know how to feel. Just disappointed. There was no taste in the lamb shank and wagyu steak. They somehow found a way to ruin desert. Yes I do have a sweet tooth but they found a way to make desert not sweet. Waiter was super nice and pretty cool spot read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for sharing. While we are glad you loved the appetizers and…
2 months ago
I'm not one to get salmon at a restaurant. The salmon here is absolutely delicious. Had the tuna guacamole and the chipotle pork bites. Absolutely delicious. I would go back outside restaurant week without a doubt. read more
10 months ago
1000/10. I LOVE Mexican food! I live for tacos lol, so when I tell you it was good, I mean it. Taste buds galore. This was the BEST queso fundido I have ever had so far in life, and trust me, I've had my fair share. The smoky flavor and the richness of the cheese--you can tell no corners were cut. My mouth is watering as I write this because I cannot wait to go back! Chef's kiss. read more
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Customer S.
Wow! A 1000/10 rating absolutely makes our day! We are beyond…
Beautiful intimate speak easy downstairs of the restaurant with live music starting at 7p. They have the same food menu as the main restaurant which is awesome compared to other speak easy places where they don't have a food menu. The drinks are to die for. I ordered bartender omakase and they always get it right. Everything was amazing, and their prices are very reasonable. read more
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Customer S.
We're excited to hear that you had a wonderful birthday celebration…
2 years ago
Book in advance and if you are a party of more than 4 you will need to call to make a reservation. They actually bring out all of the bottomless brunch menu items so it comes in courses but they did ask us if there is anything we definitely did not want to eat so I think you can kinda customize. From there, you can order whatever else you want as part of the price but its a lot of food when you go through the whole menu we were super full (but still orders a few extra of our favs). Overall, some items were good, some were ok, nothing amazing but a great deal for the price and how much food we got! Seasonal fruit cocktail - actually one of my favorites items. we ordered another because its so refreshing and a great way to cleanse your palette after all the heavier food. The fruit was super sweet and ripe, put together in a yellow, super fluffy and light and sour mousse. 5/5 DLena Caesar Salad - Not a salad person but it was cheese heavy which made it better than most salads. 2/5 Shrimp Aguachile - Has a slight kick, shrimp is soft, seasoning is tasty! 3.25/5 Mahi mahi ceviche - Refreshing and tasty! 3/5 birria beef tacos - Birria is soft, tender and flavorful, very slightly dry but still good overall! Would've ordered more if i had room. 3.5/5 Tacos campechanos - Meat was soft and the overall mix of ingredients was good! Would've ordered more if i had room. 3.5/5 Tacos de champinon - The mushroom is seasoned a bit sour (or maybe i squeezed a bit too much lime). the mix of flavors was not my type. 2/5 La baja fish taco - Actually pretty good too! not fishy at all, crispy and good. 3.25/5 Enfrijochiladas - Black bean sauce on top is interesting but overall was still pretty tasty. 2.75/5 Steak and eggs - My steak was good and cooked medium rare but some of my friends at the table had theirs more like well done so i don't think its consistent. If cooked like mine, it was very good! soft and juicy, love the sauce on top, and everything together was great. 3.5/5 Huevos rancheros - not a big fan. 2/5 dlena cripsy chicken waffle - The chicken needs to be bigger, it doesnt cover the whole waffle lol. good seasoning on the chicken but this either needs a fluffier, moister waffle or some like syrup since it felt a bit dry. With some slight tweaks couldve been really good but as it its pretty decent. 3/5 cazuela - like a slightly more flavorful/seasoned potao and eggs. 3/5 carnitas skillet - i love how cooked and cripsy it was, the flavor was good, but its very oily. Needs something to lighten it or soak up the oil. 3.25/5 Chilaquiles & Cecina - Friends liked this I was too full/saving room for the other items but had a bit and tasted normal. Zarandeado salmon - About average but i was also super full. 2.5/5 Grilled street corn - Strong and heavy seasoning but more yummy the more you eat. 3/5 Churros - Actually really good, we ordered extra of this! Its more fluffy and chewy. 3.5/5 read more
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Customer S.
Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much for sharing your detailed review of…
Allergy debacle. My son has a sesame allergy and despite us disclosing this, and our server clearing our orders, they placed his appetizer in front of him and it was dumb luck that he didn't start eating it before they told us that it had sesame. As did his entree. And the server never apologized. Things devolved from there. Food was good. Bussers were very nice and efficient. Our waitress was horrendous and the first manager who came over with a "what's wrong" clearly was not familiar with the ingredients in the food bc he gave us conflicting information. Then the waitress gave us a bill with several things we didn't order. By (I think) dumb luck, the beverage manager came by to ask how our meal was. To his full credit, he was appalled and appropriately apologetic. That said - not sure I can come here again or tell others to do so. But for luck they would have gotten my son really ill. Be very wary. read more
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Customer S.
Hello Eric, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.…
Beautiful space with modern decor. Friendly staff and good vibes. Cocktails were fresh and well balanced. Empanadas were a 10/10. Cheesy, crispy and flavorful. The fish tacos left much to be desired. The "fish" resembled a fish stick, but half the size. The final desert course, strawberry gelato, was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. read more
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Customer S.
Hello Wolf, we're so excited to see your feedback. Our authentic…
1 year ago
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Customer S.
Phillip! Thank you for choosing dLeña’s Chef’s Table to celebrate…
2 years ago
Love, love, love and highly recommend dinner at Dlena. The food was timed perfectly, and everything was so hot and fresh. My particular favorites were the corn empanadas, which had amazing flavor, and the tamarindo margarita, which was delightfully fresh. I have been several times for dinner and always provided a truly wonderful experience. After, we popped downstairs to listen to live music. I have dined here for brunch and would not recommend. My experience was very rushed and not great. The food was also not memorable. read more
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Customer S.
Wow, thank you for such a glowing review, Victoria! We’re excited to…
This is such a cute spot: I was the first person there and waited for them to open. I heard so many good things about them that I wanted to make sure I could try it. I ordered a few Mercados. Very tasty! Definitely give it a try. The tacos were not that good to me. I was disappointed with that. The potato was the star. I'm really glad I ordered it. I will visit again when I'm hungrier so that I can try other dishes that are more filling. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Lauren! Hearing how much you loved the Mercados and especially the…
6 months ago
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Customer S.
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us, Cletus! We are…
Great ambience, food, service and overall restaurant experience. Food was great and staff were very friendly and attentive. Restrooms were clean. On street parking only. read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful feedback! We are thrilled to…
7 months ago
Came here for lunch on a Monday. Sat at the bar. The atmosphere is lovely, very relaxing, with chill music. I had the Express Lunch Special with the wine pairing. Ceviche, Salmon, and Elote dessert. The food and service was spectacular. The wine pairings were OK. The ceviche was spicy and the leche de Tigre was absolutely delicious. The salmon was mildly spiced with a smokiness that made it transcendental. The Patel De Elote was nice, there was a tang of, I believe, goat cheese? That I found surprising. Not too sweet. The pairing was port but I enjoyed it more with a cava that I ordered to complement it. Service at the bar by Anedo was excellent. 10/10 will come back, recommend, and all that. read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for your wonderfully detailed review! We are thrilled you…
Went here for ultimate brunch with my mom. The waitresses and the front staff were friendly. There was just a bit of a 10 minute wait as it was crowded ,but the host is at the front named Ashley was really nice and offered to provide us our first cocktails before we sat down. After we sipped our drinks, we were escorted to our booth. We chose the unlimited brunch and alcohol option. There is a two hour time limit and if you get food and drink at $69 per person. after two or three mimosas, you will start to feel the effects, but I think for the price of $69 it was worth it , the maymay mimosa was my favorite. If you want anything à la carte that is a separate charge me and my mom decided to get the pork belly guacamole, It was just OK. I recommend just ordering the original guacamole. We also ordered different stuff off the menu. Out of everything we ate I think the tacos and the Elote were my favorite nicely seasoned smoky imperfectly spiced. The other food options such as the brisket and Caesar salad were just a little bit bland, but I do like with the menu you can order as much as you want so you can always get something different. I will say the ambience was beautiful. They had a lot of lights and a cute stairway down to the bathroom. I think I would come back here for their dinner menu I think that will be more expansive than their brunch but you can see why this place is so popular to its beauty and the staff. read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for sharing your detailed ultimate brunch experience with…
Vibes were right, but the experience? Mid. 3.5 out of 5Stars Pulled up to dLeña for my birthday weekend date night, and the spot itself had a nice scene--good ambiance, solid location in a prime part of DC. Walking in, the staff and floor manager were on point--super welcoming, good energy. But once we got seated, the service started feeling more like a "check-in" situation rather than a real dining experience. Had two different servers because of a shift change, but neither really brought that extra touch. Just the usual "Y'all good?" every so often. Now, the food? Man... it just didn't hit like we expected. The flavors were weak--like, no depth, no complexity. The only real standout was the pork belly my girl ordered--that was solid. But everything else? Not terrible, but for the price, I expected way more flavor and quality. Felt like the dishes were missing that fresh, authentic touch, like they played it too safe. Maybe that's just a DC thing? Overall, the atmosphere was cool, but it gave more "high-end middle-class" than true upscale dining. I could've overlooked that if the service had been more attentive, but it felt like the servers were just there instead of really elevating the experience. That's what dropped the rating for me. Wouldn't say it's a must-visit, but it's decent if you're just looking for a chill spot with nice aesthetics. read more
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Customer S.
Hello Money! Thanks for the feedback. We understand that food…
Went to the downstairs bar on a Friday! It is quite hard to get a seat as a walk in but got lucky. Had a live band singing and great service. It's quite small so not much space to stand if it's a large group. Also there was a time limit on my table - something like 50 mins for apps or 1 1/2 with entrees Thoroughly enjoyed my snapper tiradito and the Maryland crab guac was really great. I think the guacamole here in general is a good bet. They're known for their tequila drinks but they can also make anything else! Very cute date spot. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Mila! It's so rewarding to hear you loved your time at our…
2 years ago
Who wants to drive to the D.C. on a Friday night after work!? I definitely did not want to but I did and glad I did! What a beautifully decorated restaurant, it was a vibe! The hostess was polite and our server was very friendly, knowledgeable, and charmed us and our guests. Appreciated the lightness after a long work week. Now let's get to the food, Honey. The Maryland Crab Guacamole was very tasty, should have gotten a to-go order. All of our dishes were delicious. My only critique would be to add a little more seasoning to the white fish entree (apologies can't remember the name) but other than that it was all good. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would return to try out more beautifully plated entrees. read more
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Customer S.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're excited to hear…
came for restaurant week and it did not disappoint! nearby street parking / garages - i don't think they validate. 10 min walk from gallery place metro stop. ambience is warm and luxe. they have a bar area with booths and hightops, another dining room, and downstairs. must go down stairs to use bathroom! our service was good. sometimes wait staff would linger and take our plates the instant we finished them. good but bad. the food!!!! it is pricey for sure. however, the portions are large and everything was superb and delicious. restaurant week portions are the same as normal. if i had to pick a favorite, it would be the seafood enchiladas or wagyu empanadas. come for a special occasion or drinks. you won't regret it!! read more
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Customer S.
Thank you for joining us for Restaurant Week and for sharing your…
2 years ago
I've been to dLeña twice and each time has been increasingly underwhelming. i will say the establishment is absolutely gorgeous! The first time i done at dLeña was a few years ago for happy hour. The only thing I remember from that experience was the subpar service. This time a friend and I dined at the restaurant for lunch during Restaurant Week, and it started off well. The host was great and attentive, and the server was decent. For my first course I ordered the ceviche and it was delicious! Truly the best thing to come to the table. My friend ordered the lump crab soup, but we were told it doesn't actually come with lump crab in it (not even as a topper). A very strange response considering Ive worked in the industry for over 10 years and its pretty customary for a soup to visually represent the contents of its description. The soup itself didn't taste like seafood, it only tasted like the butternut squash and roasted green apple as described on the menu.. i tried it and thought it was overwhelmingly sweet and lacked depth. For my second course, i ordered the birri barbacoa tacos. I will say the arbol peanut sauce was fantastic and made the tacos! The plating of course was gorgeous, but where it lost me was the portion size. Two medallion-sized tacos? Serving someone two tacos has to be some kind of bad luck... three tacos is standard unless its an a la carte order and that's in nearly every mexican restaurant I've been to and even evident in reviews and my first time dining at dLeña. I'm not sure if corners were cut because of restaurant week, but that was disappointing. My third course was the creamy corncake (not pictured (Pastel De Elote)).. I REALLY wanted to like this dessert; however, it was nothing like I anticipated. Portion wasn't small, it was tiny! Which is fine because it just did not taste good. I've had Pastel De Elote before and i was looking forward to experiencing it from an elevated point of view. The Pastel De Elote at DLena was not sweet, it was bland and had a horrible soapy aftertaste. The texture was correct but everything else was wrong. I want to like dLeña, i really do! i always have high hopes because Im a fan of Chef Sandoval and the reviews are great for the most part. But it leads me to question, how impactful are great reviews when consistency at the restaurant is lacking? I'm not sure. i hope to be redeemed by dLeña in the future, but these past two experiences leave me hesitant to try dinner. read more
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Customer S.
Hello Alexander! Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed…
dLena's interior is absolutely stunning. The dining room and lounge are beautifully curated with dark wood tones and neutral colors, creating a cozy and romantic ambiance. The calm atmosphere is especially appreciated since the space can get quite loud at times. We arrived early for our reservation and were invited to head down to the lounge while we waited. A server led us downstairs and helped us get settled. The lounge was nearly full, so I'd recommend arriving early if you're planning to snag a seat there. We were seated right next to the band setup, which was a nice touch. The lounge has a slightly different drink menu, but the full food menu is available in both spaces. We ordered the Maryland crab guacamole with lump crab, and it was incredible--definitely worth coming back for on its own. After enjoying the appetizer, we moved upstairs to dine, and unfortunately, this is where the experience started to decline. While the staff was friendly, the service was inattentive. Several different staff members came to check on us, as our primary server seemed to lose focus. One thing to note: if you're craving a mixed drink, it's better to order in the lounge since the upstairs bar doesn't offer the same variety. The food was underwhelming for the price. The chorizo queso, which my husband loved, wasn't to my taste. It came with tortillas instead of chips, which I found odd, and our server was absent when we tried to clarify that my husband had requested tortillas with his meal and not the queso which I think was the mixup. The short rib tacos had good flavor, but the meat was so tough it was hard to chew. The Oaxacan shrimp were beautifully plated but lacked the flavor I was expecting. By this point, I was too full from the guacamole to keep trying the dishes. My husband decided to order dessert, but after a long wait, he was ready to leave, so we had it packed to go. In summary, the ambiance is fantastic, but the food didn't live up to expectations--except for the Maryland crab guacamole, which is a must-try. Parking is conveniently located directly across from the restaurant, which is a big plus. While I'm not ready to cross dLena off my list entirely, I'd definitely come back for the guacamole and to enjoy the drinks in the lounge. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Randy! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with…
2 years ago
I loved EVERYTHING. About this spot!! I am pretty certain that I found this spot via a short on YouTube! Yes- I watch too many of those, but that's not the point here!! My Neice and I really wanted to check this spot out, but there were no reservations available. I called to ask if they accepted walk in's. I was told that the bar and the lounge were first come first serve. We decided to press our luck. We arrived on a Friday night around 7:30pm. The host advised us to go downstairs to see if there were any seats available. It must have been destined for us to dine here because they had the perfect two seater high top table waiting on us! Let's now get to the good stuff! The ambiance of this spot is stellar! It gives modern elegance and cozy at the same time. The service was indeed recommendable! We had the pleasure of having two wait staff. They were attentive without being intrusive. They were also knowledgeable about the menu and offered thoughtful recommendations. The food-- where do I begin?? My Neice opted to start with an expresso martini! She said it was pretty good. We decided to order a few items and just share everything. We ordered the following: Corn Empanadas Crab pumpkin soup Pulpo al Pastor- octopus tacos We both loved EVERYTHING!! My niece said her favorite item was the octopus tacos. They were amazing. The octopus had a smoky flavor and very tender. However, for some reason I think my favorite was the soup! Who would ever think to pair crab with pumpkin soup? - but it worked so well. All of the items tasted like the ingredients were fresh and simply prepared with love! Not only did they taste good, but the presentation was also amazing! I can guarantee you that when I am in the city again, I will be making a stop at dLena. They have a repeat customer here! HIGHLY. Recommend! read more
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Customer S.
Yes, Kameetrice! Thank you for your amazing review. We’re so…
9 months ago
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Customer S.
Thank you for the fantastic review, Clarisa! We’re so delighted you…
9 months ago
A really great upscale, modern Mexican spot that cooks mostly on open fire (so the seafood is killer) and has a really awesome tequila/mezcal selection! The staff is super kind and welcoming and our waitress had great food recommendations. We started with the Maryland Crab Guacamole, which was a great portion size of crab and the guacamole itself was good too. The Hot Stone Wagyu is for sure a must order! You cook it on your table with a little hot stone and the sides it comes with were awesome. We also had the Ceviche Amarillo, which was a large portion size too and very good. The Birria de Hongos (a biria made with mushrooms) which wasn't my cup of tea but I did enjoy one! My favorite entree food was for sure the Grilled Oaxacan Shrimp! So incredible, I could have eaten multiple plates of it. Another favorite was dessert, a special they had that was a tres leches tiramisu! So, so incredible! Everything was really great and I look forward to coming back and trying their mezcal lounge downstairs! read more
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Customer S.
Wow, Antoninotte ~ thank you for the incredible review! We are…
I love coming here, it's so aesthetically pleasing. They have a bar area, sitting/ dining area and a lounge downstairs. I recommend reservations for dining but if you want to catch happy hour I suggest going early because it does get busy. I really do love the food; it simply never misses for me. I have been to this spot 3-4 times and always recommend it to others!! read more
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Customer S.
Yes, Fatima! Thank you so much for being such a loyal guest! We’re so…
We enjoyed a nice birthday dinner at dLena. We enjoyed our meals. We ordered the whole fish, the fillet, short rib tacos, and pumpkin crab soup. Everything was delicious. The drinks were outstanding! The live music downstairs was a lovely experience and it really made the night special. The service was very good and I highly recommend. Tip downstairs fills up. Try to get a seat early to enjoy the performance. Paid parking is available across the street. read more
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Customer S.
Hi Anita! Thank you for sharing your delightful experience at dLeña!…
10 months ago
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Customer S.
Great review, Catalina! We are so glad you enjoyed the food and…
2 years ago
Came here for dinner, and the ambiance of the restaurant was very nice -- chill dark vibes. We came a bit later than usual dinner time so the bar area was a bit packed. Our waiter was super friendly and checked in on us throughout the whole meal. In terms of the food, we got the queso fundido and it was a tad harder than expected. The ceviche amarillo was pretty good, tangy flavor with the mango. For the main meals, we got the pork belly and mushroom tacos, both were decent but nothing super memorable and felt a bit overpriced for three tacos. The dessert was probably the best part - we had some churros and a crepe dessert - not too sweet and tasted fresh. Overall, not bad but can be a bit pricey based on what you get. read more
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Customer S.
Hi harshitha! We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the ambiance…
More info about dLeña
476 K St NW
Ste D
Washington, DC 20001
Directions
(202) 560-5999
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https://www.dlenadc.com
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Ask the Community - dLeña
What is your return policy or satisfaction guarantee for vehicle purchases?
This is a restaurant. No vehicles are available for purchases here
Are there any current promotions or discounts available?
Not at this time but they do offer a bottomless brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Is it possible to dine here alone at a small table or a bar?
Yes, the bar is pretty spacious and theyre are a reasonable amount of small tables
Would there be space for a party of 8+ or are smaller parties recommended?
The restaurant has the space to accommodate a party of 8+ I highly recommend making a reservation with advance notice
Hi, is a COVID-19 vaccination still required for indoor dining?
No, it is no longer required in DC
What are some of the vegan options here?
Hi Adria - We have a few delicious vegan options - including our Coliflor a la Leña (charred cauliflower / chimichurri / red pipian), Zanahorias Rostizadas (roasted heirloom carrot / pistu chimichurri / cashew tofu aioli / pepita), Grilled Avocado…
Is there any area that's first come first serve (the bar etc.)?
Hi Areen - our 15 seat bar, our downstairs mezcal lounge ROJA and our outdoor patio are all first come, first serve / without reservations.
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85 reviews that are not currently recommended
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