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! read more

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The atmosphere and decor were quite impressive! The pork belly tacos were topped with too much garnish, not enough meat. Their corn empanadas were good, their queso fundido was terrific - but the street taco shells were not very good. Overall, good meal, over-priced, but good experience/meal. read more

I came to dLeña for brunch with friends on a Saturday, and overall, it was a decent experience but not one I'd necessarily go out of my way to repeat. We went around 11:30, so it started off pretty quiet, but as brunch picked up, it definitely got louder. The ambiance is nice though, very laid-back, chill, and a great vibe for a group brunch or celebration. We did the bottomless brunch, and one thing I really appreciated is that the bottomless food and drinks are priced separately. Not everyone in our group wanted drinks, so it was nice that we were only charged for the people who actually ordered them. The only downside is that mocktails aren't included. The food is served as small plates brought out progressively, but I do wish this had been explained better upfront. It was presented as if they would just bring items out, but it wasn't clearly communicated that we could also order anything we wanted from the menu. That made the experience feel a bit confusing. The meal started off strong. The salad was fresh, and there was a fruit/yogurt dish with agave that was honestly one of the best things we had. From there, it became hit or miss. The ceviche and chips were good, the fish tacos were solid, and I appreciated that they had some vegetarian options (though somewhat limited). The waffle and churro were highlights, but the potato hash fell flat. As the meal went on, service slowed down quite a bit. We were waiting a while for certain items (like the corn), and it felt like things just started to lag toward the end. Service overall followed a similar pattern. Strong at the beginning, but less attentive as it got busier. Overall, I'd rate it around a 7 out of 10. It's a fun spot for the experience and group setting, but the lack of clarity and inconsistency in pacing took away from it. I might consider trying it for dinner since I've heard good things, but for brunch, it's not a place I'd go out of my way to revisit. read more

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The flavors were inconsistent and the service was unexpectedly slow. We arrived right at opening and were told that the crab pumpkin soup was unavailable. After placing our orders, the margaritas came out quickly, but the food took much longer. The pacing felt off throughout the meal, and our entrées took the longest to arrive. In total, the experience stretched to about two hours. I noticed that one of my dishes had a residual green substance on it, which I had to ask for a replacement. *Ceviche Amarillo: very little mahi mahi and marinade lacked depth. The mango and orange were barely noticeable beyond adding color, so the dish felt flat overall. I wanted more seafood flavor, spice, or umami to give it some dimension. *dLena Burger: the patty itself was cooked well and the jam added a touch of saltiness. However, the chimichurri was not garlicky or herbaceous enough to stand out. The bun was soft enough but awkward to bite into, and the burger needed more sauce as it leaned dry. It came with a side of fries which were classic and well done. *Pastel De Elote: described as a creamy corn cake, but it tasted more like a dense block of cheese. The texture was heavy and crumbly, and the hibiscus mezcal glaze was too sharp to pair well with it. The corn flavor barely came through. My entire party found it difficult to finish. *Gelato: I chose salted caramel. It was simple but enjoyable, leaning more toward caramel than salt. A stronger hit of salt would have helped balance it. *Margarita Flight: included classic, tamarind, and passionfruit. The classic was well executed with a nicely salted rim. The tamarind had a muddled, earthy flavor that did not land well with the group, though it had potential if the natural sweet and sour notes were more pronounced. The passionfruit was my favorite, topped with hibiscus foam and offering a satisfying balance of sweetness and acidity. The dessert ended the meal on a particularly disappointing note. Overall, the kitchen execution needs work, as the flavors felt unbalanced and not thoughtful. While the portion sizes and pricing made it a decent lunch deal, I would still choose a more consistent restaurant over the quantity and uneven quality here. read more

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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 read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

dLeña - Pescado a la Talla** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was very excited to try out D'Leñas bottomless brunch for my boyfriend's birthday trip. We were coming in from NYC and made reservations way in advance. The menu looked astounding and my bf LOVES Mexican. Firstly, the drinks were plenty to chose from. Multiple mimosa flavors. Micheladas called my attention after never seeing that on a bottomless menu. The michelada and the margarita were the best. The mimosa tasted like really cheap bubbles that almost tasted like beer. They were sitting at the bar in jugs not on ice I think maybe that would help. I would approach this brunch soooo differently had I known the way. They bring out everything on the menu. The best items in our opinion were at the beginning. The skillets at the end are huge heavy portions and the flavors get repetitive. Best things on the bottomless menu are the FRUIT COCKTAIL WOW surprised us soooo much. The fish tacos delishhhhh. The Cesar salad was yummy. All the tacos were good. The steak and eggs delicious. The chicken wand waffles was good! Overall the experience was great. They were super busy but we were treated well and the birthday surprise was so nice! Thank u for that !! I'll leave my boyfriend and I's joint review of our favs which was rated in the moment aside from this review which was written a month later lol! : D'leña: Blackberry and basil: mid Margarita: 5/5 Micheladas: lazy Fruit cocktail: 5/5 WOWWW Aguachile and ceviche : 4/5 Campechano taco: 4/5 Birria: 4/5 Fish taco : 4/5 *would get again * Chicken n waffle good Mushroom taco: after thought, vegetarian friendly Cesar salad: 5/5 Patricia was our server read more

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Went to dlena to celebrate a birthday. We were lucky to get a last minute reservation since our plans to NYC fell through. Upon arrival the hostess was extremely rude and had an attitude. Not sure what her issue was. Our waitress was extremely kind and on top of everything! Glad to know all the staff doesn't have poor customer service. The food for the most part was delicious. My personal favorites were the oysters and the bone marrow. We also got some drinks but they were not memorable at all, we got a Negroni, 2 Mexican beers and a margarita with mezcal. The beers were good, cocktails were a let down. For dessert we got the crème brûlée and it was pretty disappointing. It had an espresso flavor in there which didn't really complement the dessert. They also brought out a birthday dessert which was a sponge cake. It was pretty good. I was confused why they charged $6 for a birthday dessert we didn't ask for but oh well. We spent about $200 not including tip. The inside is a bit small as well but beautiful inside. The food I would give a 4/5 stars. Customer service 3/5...the hostess really affected this rating. Drinks 2/5. read more

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My friend and I came here for bottomless brunch. We had a 10:30 reservation and the restaurant was very busy so make sure you have a reservation. Also they're very strict with the 2 hour/table limit so make sure to come on time. We had basically everything on the menu and we enjoyed it all. Dleña is always a good time, can't wait to come back! read more

dLeña - La Baja Fish Tacos and Dleña Crispy Chicken Waffles - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious, upscale Mexican food...and hooray for delicious vegetarian tacos! The vibe in here feels like you walked into Tulum and you're greeted with a little glass of Hibiscus Agua de Fresca - I'm a sucker for free sips and bites. You can't NOT get a margarita - I started with a classic house marg (the Casa) and it was good. The Queso Fundito appetizer is an absolute must, and the guacamole here is solid. The Birria Hongos Tacos were out of this world - mushroom tacos can be a hit or miss but these hit all the flavor marks. They were so small and cute. I ordered a side of Brussels sans the bacon and they were good (but could have been cooked a bit more). The only thing I was not too fond of were the desserts - the crepe cake was not really sweet at all, and the tres leches tiramisu was decent but nothing to write home about. They make a solid espresso martini here as well that is a bit more on the sweet side. read more

dLeña - Birria de Hongos (AMAZING) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Finally got a chance to try dLeña. What a beautiful space. A group of us came in for some birthday cheer and we started out in the lounge for drinks. After being seated we were served a shot glass of hibiscus water to cleanse the palette. It was very good. We moved on to more drinks and starters - guac and queso, both of which hit the spot. I enjoyed both. The majority of our group got the short rib tacos. There's 3 and they are very filling and very good. One of my friends got the brazino and her plate was completely clean :). Around us at other tables the tomahawk looked and smelled delicious along with the wagyu. With a hearty appetite in tow I'd consider ordering one of those on a future visit. Service was pleasant and prompt. No complaints. read more

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I stopped by dLeña during my last visit to DC. Beautiful restaurant. The food and service were good. I had an excellent experience. Would eat again. read more

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

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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

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

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We had a GREAT evening at dLena. Service was great. The inside has the vibe of the Sonoran desert. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Started with hibiscus agua Fresca. Moved on to a margarita, guava, and tamarind cocktails. Food order: guacamole, empanadas, pork belly (our fav!), tortilla soup, tacos, mar y Tierra, and churros to finish off. Everything was superb. Would def return and recommend. read more

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Empanadas are crispy and delicious! Dipping sauce is amazing. Burger is out of this world - love the buns that have charred flavor. Thumbs up to all presentation from appetizers to desserts. Very quiet during lunch time so perfect for conversations. Express lunch can be done within an hour! read more

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(Apologies in advance for the bad photo quality IDK what my phone was doing) We've had this on the list for a while and finally made it. Turns out, it was totally worth the wait! Here are our hits and misses: Guava me please: sweet and tart. You get a true guava flavor not a fake mix flavor here and it was a hit for me! Mexican old fashioned: "good" (I tried to get more out of him, and he said "hit") Tlayudas and salsas: go for the green salsa. Veggies were so flavorful. Red salsa had flavor but was just too mild for us. Esquites Mac and cheese: WOWWWW best dish. Not just a hit, they knocked it out if the park. Creamy, cheesy, slightly sweet from the corn but also spicy from the breadcrumbs. Hubby and I were actually fighting for the last bites! Corn empanada: another hit! crispy outside, creamy cheesy Inside. Definitely heavy but the sauce helps add flavor and herbaceous-ness. Camaron tacos: cold Tortilla was off putting but the shrimp was perfectly cooked and So flavorful that he devoured the whole portion. Yet another hit! Creamy corn cake: not great. I get that corn cake may not be super sweet but this was a cold, squidgy dud. Popcorn gelato was good, but not enough to salvage. The only miss of the evening. Very rustic chic interior decor, exposed beams and white/cream walls. Totally nondescript exterior so you may well miss it walking by. We had Troy for our server and he was very sweet and helpful -- just fantastic service from him! There are other veg options like the tacos, the cauliflower, broccolini, etc. so if you are vegetarian like me or have vegetarians in your group you will find something tasty to eat. In fact, I can't wait to come back and try out more of the menu! read more

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The steak was cooked to perfection. The broccolini was alright would have just doubled up on the carrots because the sauce paired perfectly with the steak. Would highly recommend and return. The bartender was very nice and knowledgeable. Live music is certainly a place. Plenty of comfortable seating throughout. read more

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Just so good! Servers were super friendly and food was pretty fast. Cocktails were so delicious I could have easily tried them all. The pork belly is a must have. I almost ordered a second one. And everything else was really excellent too-the oysters were very nicely done, the corn empanadas were fresh and cheesy, and the tres leches tiramisu was unique and really good. Very crowded, a bit loud, and parking is a bit of a pain. read more

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I love Latin American food and this restaurant did not disappoint! My friend and I were seated after a few minutes' wait as walk-ins on a Wednesday around 7 p.m. Once seated, we were offered a complimentary hibiscus shot to cleanse our palates. We ordered the traditional guacamole (avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime) to share and it was delicious. We ate it all, though I wish it had some jalapeños or other peppers to make it spicy. Next, we had the snapper tiradito, which was another winner. Finally, we had the short rib tacos, which were a mixed bag. The short rib itself was delicious; however, it was served with a chile de árbol peanut sauce that I did not enjoy. The typical live music was canceled that night due to a private event. I'd like to check it out next time I stop by. read more

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My friend heard so many great things about DLeña, so she made reservations for brunch. We were about 20 mins early and decided to see if they will sit us, and they did. We were greeted by two nice ladies and they walked us to our table. Our waiter was very professional, knowledgeable and attentive. He recommended the bottomless brunch, we got to try all the items on the menu and we did bottomless drinks as well. The restaurant had upbeat music with a stylish decor. The food was ok, they were a few choices on the menu that we really liked. We will come back when it's not brunch to try the regular menu. We had the different mimos and classic margarita which were good. Brunch 3.5/5 Customer service 5/5 Mimosa 4/5 Margarita 4.5/5 read more

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What a wonderful experience! To start, our server Henry was attentive, approachable, and every single one of his recommendations and suggestions was taken and none of them disappointed! He is well versed in the menu and products of the restaurant which was already an A+ for me! We started with the wagyu empanadas and the oysters recommended by Henry. Now, I don't like oysters guys, and when I say these charbroiled oysters were so flavorful, smoky, and delicious! We had to fight over who would get the last one! The empanadas were cheesy and fried to perfection as well. I ordered a couple of prickly pear margaritas and then Henry suggested a few mezcal drinks that were delicious and definitely had me feeling great by time the entrees came! For entrees we ordered the branzino, wagyu tacos, brussel sprouts and broccolini. The tacos came on a hot stone plate so I recommend ordering your steak under so it can cook up to temp by the time it gets to you. The meat was so tender, flavorful, and paired well with won't be veggies and aioli that was served. The Brussels were by far my favorite! I love a good Brussel and these did not disappoint. I didnt get a chance to have the broccolini but my friend did say it wasn't their favorite. For dessert we ordered the churros and the coffee tiramisu tres leches and boy was that a perfect ending to the night. Overall, absolutely amazing experience from staff and the food was top notch. read more

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A DC staple for sure. The live jazz lounge in the tequila bar downstairs is immaculate. This is definitely a top spot in DC for sure!

I was able to treat my cousin for her birthday. Everything that our server suggested we tried and it was so delicious. Even the hibiscus tea welcome drink was delicious. We tried the Maryland CrabGuacamole, Ostiones a la Leña, Empanadas de Wagyu, and Whole Zarandeado. All of each was amazingly prepared and delicious. The customer service was phenomenal and we will be back. I did enjoy the moody ambiance. read more

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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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I recently dined at DLena in Washington, DC, and it was outstanding from start to finish. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality and attentive service that made the entire experience feel special. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and consistently checked in without ever being intrusive. The food was truly the highlight--beautifully presented, incredibly flavorful, and clearly crafted with care. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, from the bold, vibrant flavors to the fresh ingredients. It's rare to find a place where every course impresses, but DLena absolutely delivered. Whether you're looking for a spot for a date night, a celebration, or simply a memorable meal, DLena is a must-visit. Excellent service, fantastic food, and a great atmosphere--highly recommended! read more

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I've wanted to try dLeña for a while now so when I was in the area , after an event one night, I had the chance. We arrived on a Wednesday around 8pm and were seated almost immediately. After we placed our orders, we received a small, tasty half shot of hibiscus juice (palate cleanser?). The two of us shared the Traditional guacamole, snapper tiradito (ceviche), and short rib tacos (3). All of the food was excellent!! The ceviche is served on a platter with ice and when it arrived, the server poured a red sauce around the ceviche that tasted very good! Service, from our waitress and the other staff, was excellent. The ambiance with the low lighting was nice and there is a large bar near the front of the restaurant that I might try on a solo date. Apparently, there is live music Wednesday through Sunday but, due to a private event, there was no live music when we arrived (not a deal breaker). I was able to see the table presentation of their Tomahawk steak and might try it for Instagram! I'll be back again! read more

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What a wonderful tone, on a day after work I stopped in here during their happy hour before meeting a friend and was taken back by the beautiful decor and ambiance of the restaurant! And said surely I have to come back to try their food. I made reservations for dinner about two weeks later and it was a fantastic experience!! The food was perfectly cooked, extremely tasty & came out just at the right time. The waitress gave great recommendations all throughout the night on everything from wines, to entrees, pairings ands desserts! It was also a very lively crowd all throughout the night which only made the atmosphere even more fun and exciting! Will definitely be back again!!! read more

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This is one of the cutest restaurants I've been to in a while! I went for their lunch special and it didn't disappoint! (3 courses for $28) The decor is so cute and I can tell it would be even better at night! I had the cheese fondu, chicken empanadas and birria tacos. Everything was soooo good and flavorful. My favorite was the empanadas. We also added regular tortilla chips on the side to use for the cheese fondu and they were perfectly made. I will definitely be back again for dinner. read more

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Came here for happy hour with a group of five friends. When a sixth arrived and the bar was full, I politely asked the manager if I could move to one of the high-top tables nearby so my friend could take my bar seat. The manager said that was fine so long as l did not order from the happy hour menu. So I moved, ordered off the regular menu (no complaints there), and thought the situation was resolved. It wasn't. What followed was a mess. Another patron tried to take the bar seat that l had given up, got angry when my friend sat down, and caused a scene. Then the manager, the same one who gave me permission minutes earlier, told me I had to leave the high-top because it and all of the other empty high-top tables surrounding the bar were reserved. (Mind you, it was very early and, aside from the bar, the restaurant was empty.) When I said I'd happily move the moment a reservation showed up, I was told that wasn't acceptable either. So to recap: the manager gave me permission, then reversed course, and offered no workable solution. Frustrated, our entire group left iand had a great time at a different spot nearby. The food and drinks seemed fine, but when the management creates confusion, backtracks on their own word, and leaves paying customers feeling unwelcome, it's hard to recommend the place. A manager's word should mean something. A little consistency and hospitality would go a long way read more

Not rating the 5 stars I would've loved to because they forgot to bring his drink TWICE! He first asked for a bourbon then another time he asked for a wine. Server never brought it! Stunning interior design! Very boho chic decor and sexy ambiance. The lounge downstairs carried the best vibe. The bathroom was so cute. Obligatory pic of pretty bathroom required. The band I have to say was subpar lacking on rhythm and sound, I would love to have the opportunity to sing here with my musicians. The crowd here was perfect for me, for us. The shrimp was a bit salty to me, he didn't think so so I guess take your luck. They just need to do much better with remembering orders and delivering on that service. Go, enjoy read more

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We went on a crowded Saturday night, and after tasting the food, we completely understood why. This is upscale Mexican done right--bold flavors and beautifully executed dishes. We had the shrimp tacos (my fave of the night, the sauce made them unforgettable), wagyu empanadas, pork belly, short ribs, and chicken. The wagyu empanadas were cooked to perfection--hands down the best empanadas I've ever had. I'm not usually a pork belly person, but this one was seasoned perfectly, and the short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender. The vibe was fantastic--swanky, lively, and celebratory. Our waitress was exceptionally friendly and even surprised us with churros for dessert, even though they weren't on the menu. There's also a downstairs bar lounge that many people head to after dinner. Highly recommend and will definitely be back when I'm in town! read more

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Wow, amazing is all I can say! Went here with my sister for happy hour and dinner and everything was lovely! We got the Branzino, Diablo Shrimp, Potatoe (I forget the name of it), and of course margs! The flavors were outstanding! Will definitely be back! read more

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My Bestie girl and I like to go out this time of year to celebrate our friendship anniversary. She picked this location after hearing great reviews and only hearing the best about their bottomless brunch. We were so excited and booked a reservation for noon (last seating for brunch is at 1 PM and they promptly do last call at 2:45). We arrived on time and upon checking in our table, was not yet ready. I noticed several groups arrived after me and waited a while too one party that arrived after me was still seated before me. The hostesses were not the most accommodating, and I had to check in a few times with the hostess, despite never having left the stand. We were seated around 12:20. We got to our table in the back. The location is much larger inside than it appears. Our server Cesar, was actually wonderful. In fact, I could possibly highlight his hospitality as the best aspect of our whole visit. Keep explaining to us that we could go about the bottomless brunch one of two ways for $45 we could do just the bottom of food or for $69 We could do bottomless food and drinks. We went with the bottomless drinks. He didn't explain that we could go through the entire menu and pick out individual tapas, or just let him know that we wanted to try the whole menu in the food would just be rolled out! We liked that so we ended up doing that and food was constantly arriving. We really enjoyed our drinks. The passionfruit mimosa was delicious. The mimosa with the blackberry juice was also very good and we really enjoyed the margarita we were able to add fresh jalapeños to the mix to give it a little kick in a tajin rim. All in all we were there for several hours we definitely enjoyed our friendship anniversary and caught up. Going down the food appeared decent. I did notice that a lot of the plates had very similar flavor profiles some of the plates all in all just weren't appetizing. The tuna ceviche was so fishy that I had to spit it out The shrimp ceviche. It was sliced so thin and had a vinegar taste to it. Ceviche is not prepared with vinegar. The Mexican street corn had a tartness to it. That was not a natural flavor. I think they might have added some citric acid. I noticed that in one of the accoutrements of my beverage, the hot pepper on it was fuzzy. I quickly brought it to his attention, and he alerted the manager. The manager came to us and explained that was not mold, although it certainly looked like it. For the price and the time it seemed like all in all it was worth the while. However, once we got home, my friend violently threw up and I had indigestion all in all while I know several of my friends suggest this place I am left wondering about the freshness of their food, the preparation standards, and disappointed that I am not feeling my best. My advice would be to go elsewhere for bottomless brunch although I have to say the ambience was very fun. People seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves so it's possible that I just had a bad batch of something. I would also advise the restaurant to not overbook their tables to such an extent to where reservations are not seated at the time of their reservation. read more

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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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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Stunning restaurant and delicious menu. You have to get the tomahawk steak (comes with front row seat to cooking it right at your table) along with the explanation of how they prepare it. Wagyu tacos?! So good. Perfect for date night in DC. read more

dLeña - Tomahawk* Zanahorias al Carbon - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I will walk you through my night at dLeña. We were lucky to find parking on the same road, so definitely check there first. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our reservation, and they sat us right away (love that!). Once we got to our table, we received both the regular and seasonal menus, which was great. The only downside was that it took nearly 15 minutes for someone to greet our table. For a place that presents itself as high-end, I expected a bit more attentiveness. Service was just okay. The food I freaking LOVED! - The Crab Guacamole: get it, you won't regret it. Lumps of crabs. - Greenwood (drink): eh not my fav but i also didn't know what the green chartreuse was before this drink. So maybe that's on me lol the rest sounded good - Seafood enchiladas: my gf liked them! She rated them an 8. - Oaxaca shrimp: This tasted amazing but I craved a bit more! didn't feel like there was enough corn ratio to the shrimp. I will also say parts of the shrimp were mushy maybe from being overcooked - their seasonal dessert: right now it's like a pumpkin creme brûlée with cinnamon ice cream: i could eat this for breakfast lunch and dinner. I loved it!! Overall, I would definitely come here again to try something new! It's a nice dress up kind of place - maybe for a date or a friend dinners. I can also see this place being the spot for happy hour. They also have express lunch for those who work around and wanted to treat yourself lol. It is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to spending read more

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Just left the express lunch. Very very good! The portions were just enough for lunch, the table side lobster bisque recommended by Christiana was very good! She was such a great hostess with spot on recommendations! My colleague and I can't wait to come back! read more

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