I initially had a slight problem with my reservation at dLena, but the manager took over and politely resolved the issue. I was impressed with the prompt interaction and service. read more

Such a wonderful experience at D'Lena! We didn't have a reservation and there was a long wait, but Justin, the manager, went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. He assigned us a wonderful server and personally took us downstairs to the lounge while we waited. What really stood out was how thoughtful he was with my mom. He personally came down to get her, even held her drink for her, and made sure we had a great table on the patio. Those little gestures really made a difference and made us feel genuinely welcomed. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the service was excellent from start to finish. The whole area was clean, lively, and had such a great vibe. Definitely a winner! We'll absolutely be back, both for another girls' night and with family. And a special thank you to Justin for making our evening so enjoyable! read more

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Showed up and the hostess is geeked out on her phone. Which I normally wouldn't care about but it's an important to this one star story. Arrived on Sunday at 1:45 and we sat at the bar based on what the spaced out hostess told us. Sat at the bar for 10 minutes. The bartenders were working hard so no big deal on waiting. When someone was finally able to take our order, we asked for the bottomless brunch. To which we were told, "sorry the cut off for bottomless brunch is 1:50 because it's 2 hour experience and the hostess should have let you know." Hostess didn't mention anything because she was lost in the internet. We tried to explain to the bartender we arrived before 1:50 and have been patiently waiting and that we need to leave at 3 so we won't be staying long. We again tried to explain we were here before time cut off and would not be long. Didn't matter. They wouldn't honor bottomless brunch. We politely said we prefer to eat elsewhere. read more

Date Night Done RIGHT! D'Lena was such a pleasant surprise. From the moment we walked in, I was impressed by the exterior, but once we stepped inside, the ambiance completely sold me. The restaurant is grown, classy, sophisticated, and sexy without trying too hard, exactly the kind of atmosphere you want for a good date night in DC. And the service deserves its own paragraph! From the hostess to our waitress, the bus staff, and the manager, EVERYONE was attentive. What really stood out to me was how observant the staff was. They seemed to actually pay attention to customers' body language and anticipate what was needed. If one team member couldn't get to something quickly, another person stepped in. That kind of teamwork makes a huge difference because you never feel forgotten or left waiting unnecessarily. The manager was especially personable. While we were waiting for our food, she came over and actually chatted with us for about 5-10 minutes. Not the typical quick "How is everything?" check-in she genuinely engaged with us. That made the experience feel very personal. Now...the presentation of the tomahawk steak was EVERYTHING! If you order it, just know it is a LOT of food. It's easily enough for more than two people, so come hungry or bring people who are ready to eat! We enjoyed several things throughout the meal and loved the overall experience. My appetizer personally wasn't my favorite, but that's more about my own taste than the food itself. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of cheese, and this particular dish had more cheese than I prefer. If you're a cheese lover, though, this is probably right up your alley. And then there's the downstairs lounge! I absolutely loved that you can essentially have two different experiences under one roof. After dinner, heading downstairs for the jazz performance was the perfect way to continue the night. The music had a really nice Latin influence, which made the whole vibe even better. There is a separate bar downstairs, so one thing to know is that the drinks offered downstairs are different from the cocktail experience upstairs. Also, the lounge space is limited, so I'd recommend making a reservation/RSVP or getting there early if you want to secure a spot. Overall, D'Lena gave us exactly what we were looking for: good food, beautiful surroundings, exceptional service, and an atmosphere that felt mature, elevated, and fun. Being able to have dinner AND transition into live music without leaving the restaurant made it an even better date-night experience. Definitely a 5-star experience for me, and I would absolutely go back. read more

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

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Solid dinner date/girlfriend hang spot. It has 100% aesthetic, 100% customer service (Javi our waiter was great), management came to check on us, food was pretty good and drinks were good. We did the basement but the upstairs looked packed as well. We heard a few songs from the live band. I'd recommend as a pregame to a night out :) read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

dLeña - Salmon Zarandeado* - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

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

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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Me and my friend decided to visit Dleña during restaurant week. Upon arriving at 4:56pm, we are told to please go stand back outside as they aren't open yet and our reservation starts at 5pm. It was stark but I understood the hostess' frustration because my group and about 4 other groups rushed in around the same time. Upon seating we were given both menus, but we already knew we came for restaurant week, so we opted for that. For my three courses respectively, I had the Cocktail Campechano, the Pescado Zarandeado, the Broccolini, and the Strawberry sorbet with tajin. All were delicious but I was extremely impressed with the red adobo chili on one side of the fish, the green not so much. Also, the fact that they even mention that the sorbet has tajin in it is absurd because you only see it, it tasted like regular degular strawberry sorbet to me. While the food was delicious, for restaurant week, and the night started off seemingly pleasant, I had a few issues. First everyone except our table was given a hibiscus agua Fresca taste as a palette cleanser. When I asked about it, our server was very much like "Oh it's just a small tasting"... ummm I don't care, I want one. Then the margarita flights that we ordered, are also a tasting. I personally think $25 for the few sips that would barely fulfill the serving of their margarita glasses is hilarious. And the Mercado Margarita don't expect a spicy margarita, it will put you in a diabetic coma, I'm not sure if it's the agave or the passion fruit juice but the sweetness overpowers the serrano. But the two others were decent. My friend had the Queso Fundido, the Carnitas Pork Shank, and the Crème Brûlée. She stated that all her food was amazing, the pork was a little too sweet for her liking, but tasty nonetheless. However, her crème brûlée came wet. They slightly torched it at the table, but we were told by our server that sometimes you don't get that crunch/ cracking of the top layer with their crème brûlée, it's just a slight char. I'm not sure if you can consider that Crème Brûlée then?Lastly when it came to paying our bill. Both me and my friend split our bill but the server accidentally charged my card the full amount of $228.80 first and then re-charged it for half of the amount. Again, I understand the mistake but he was very nonchalant in saying "Oh I accidentally charged your card the full amount, then voided it, so it should fall off in a couple of days." So now there's two holds on my account totaling an amount of $343.20. What if I didn't have the money??? Mind blown, I left no tip and my friend was like let's just go, because he didn't even APOLOGIZE. Fast forward to today, Tuesday. I see that the other charge finally dropped, but realize that my card was charged $129.40 instead of the $114.40. After talking to my friend, we came to the conclusion that he gave us our cards back in the wrong booklets. So I was charged the tip that she left, and she was charged my amount with no tip. Small things. But the small things are what I remember the most. read more

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Visited for a quick lunch when my brother and sister in law were in town. We shared fish tacos, Birria tacos, crab guac, and churros. Everything was delicious but the fish tacos were my favorite. The service was really fast and the ambiance was super cute! I definitely want to come back to try more of their menu. read more

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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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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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It was just okay. Came for brunch and got the tacos campechano and churros for dessert. The flavor was fine but nothing really wowed me. The churros were very standard too. read more

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

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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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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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Second visit, brought my parents in celebration of dads birthday. I did the ostiones again (really great, ill probably get these every visit lol) and the branzino (zarendeado?)- wow that was one of the best fish dishes ive had recently. From the sauces on top to the smoked flavor of the fish meat, truly top tier! Mom loved her kale salad and fish tacos, dad loved the kale salad as well and said the seafood enchiladas were pretty good. Manager came out to greet us and we chatted for a while, nice touch! We went down to Roja Lounge- no live music that night but the ambiance was inviting and the drinks were expertly done- dad is a margarita fan and said that was probably the best one he's had! They will have repeat customers in ALL of us! read more

Came by for Sunday brunch and had a great experience. When you walk in it's low lit, but such vibrant atmosphere. I decided to sit outside because the weather was nice. Nina was my server. She was kind, informative, and answered all my questions. DLeña offers a bottomless Mexican-style brunch that is definitely worth a try. Everything is brought out tapas style so you have a chance to try everything, and whatever you want more of you can. I was STUFFED before I could make it to the end of the menu and that was excluding the dishes that included eggs! I want to try their dinner menu next, so I'll definitely be back for more. read more

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

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 went here a few years ago for brunch and was not impressed at all. I was told to try it again but for dinner. I finally went back for dinner and my husband and I were so happy we did. Dinner is amazing. He got the branzino and I got the American Waygu that came with three toppings and some blue corn tortillas. For dessert we got the espresso crème brûlée. We will definitely go back but only for dinner. I'm not sure why the brunch can't be as good as their dinner. read more

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

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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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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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dLena does brunch differently, and it works. The setup: $45 gets you all-you-can-eat, $70 adds bottomless drinks. Instead of ordering off a menu, your server just starts cycling through the entire menu in tapas-sized portions, one after another. It sounds a little chaotic on paper but it flows well in practice, and it means you end up trying things you wouldn't have pointed at yourself. The flavors throughout were genuinely good, a cut above your standard Mexican restaurant. The mole in particular was excellent, the kind that actually tastes like it took some effort to make. Two misses: the chicken on the chicken and waffles was overcooked, and the salmon was too. Both proteins had the same problem, which makes me think there's something off in the kitchen's timing rather than just bad luck. When you're running an AYCE service where volume is the whole model, consistency on execution matters more, not less. Still, those were isolated stumbles in an otherwise solid parade of food. The value at $45 is real. Would go back and would recommend it to friends. 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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This rating is for the brunch and the brunch only... I have to be completely honest about this for anyone planning on going for brunch. The service was ok, we had to tell our server we weren't seeing him enough, there's a 2 hour limit and we weren't getting a chance to order more drinks. After that he kept the drinks coming. WARNING! You DO NOT get to choose what items you want from the ayce brunch menu, they bring every single dish out and they do it at a pace that you barely get a chance to enjoy anything. Every dish is loaded with fillers and barely any meat. Every dish has a similar flavor of chilli, lime and cilantro. I say this with the upmost respect to this restaurant, the only good thing about the brunch were the churros and they don't give you that until you're ready to leave. The chicken and waffles were almost good but the sauce on the chicken with the waffle just ruins it. The steak and eggs were ok and you only get a 1oz piece of steak. Birria tacos were just ok and the fish taco was ok. Everything else was not worth it. A lot of items went to waste. If we could've chose exactly what we wanted, it might have been better. This would also add to why the service did not start off well because our server gave us our first drink and left. After that, every item from the brunch menu were just getting dropped off by food runners. It became overwhelming. We didn't even have room on the table for all of that. Then we also had to ask for new plates because we did not want to mix the flavors of every dish. The drinks were also not good, I had margaritas for my drink of choice and they are so sour and filled with cheap tequila... respectfully for 70$ a person you're better off ordering à la carte. The restaurant is beautiful though, great for pictures and the food is colorful as well but the flavors are just not that good and you're ultimately paying for a bunch of food that you don't really even want nor enjoy. I really hope they adjust this because I heard it was 10x better in the past. read more

(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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dLeña: A Wood-Fired Masterclass in Mount Vernon Triangle When it opened its doors in May 2021, dLeña instantly transformed Washington, D.C.'s upscale Mexican dining scene. Helmed by the internationally acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval, the restaurant's name literally translates to "of firewood"--a direct nod to the rustic, smoke-kissed culinary traditions that anchor the entire menu. The Accolades It didn't take long for the culinary world to notice. dLeña quickly earned a spot as a MICHELIN Guide Featured Restaurant and was named one of America's Top 50 Independent Restaurants by FSR Magazine. Additionally, it captured the title of Best Brunch in DC by DC Magazine, making it a certified hotspot for both neighborhood locals and visiting foodies. The Wood-Fire Magic The heart of the restaurant is its live-fire grill. Chef Sandoval's team utilizes the wood fire to impart a subtle, nuanced smoky depth to everything it touches, elevating familiar Mexican staples into complex, upscale creations. From charred salsas to beautifully blistered proteins, the smoke functions as an ingredient all its own. The Legendary Bottomless Brunch If you want to experience the absolute best of what dLeña has to offer, the weekend Bottomless Brunch is an absolute must. For a fixed price, the kitchen serves up an endless parade of vibrant small plates alongside an exceptional lineup of hand-crafted mimosas and margaritas. Here are the dishes you cannot afford to miss: The Tacos: Brunch features stunning selections like the Birria Beef Tacos (complemented by a rich chile de árbol peanut sauce and green tomatillo salsa) and the Tacos Mañanero, which layer blue corn tortillas with a smoky bean purée, scrambled eggs, pork chorizo, and melted asadero cheese. They are perfectly sized, allowing you to sample multiple styles. Chilaquiles & Cecina: A brilliant take on a comforting classic. The crisp corn tortillas are tossed in a vibrant, tangy tomatillo sauce and nestled alongside a rich black bean purée, crema fresca, and cotija cheese. It's topped with cecina--deeply savory, sun-dried beef--offering an incredible contrast of textures and a wonderful punch of salt and acid. The Churros: No meal here is complete without them. Served fresh and piping hot, these churros boast a flawlessly crisp exterior coated in cinnamon sugar with a light, airy center. They come paired with rich chocolate and decadent cajeta (goat's milk caramel) sauces for dipping. The Verdict dLeña successfully bridges the gap between traditional Mexican flavors and modern, wood-fired sophistication. Whether you're sinking into a plush leather booth for a smoky mezcal dinner or spending a lazy Saturday conquering the bottomless brunch, Chef Sandoval's concept delivers on every front. read more

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One year later and I still love this place. I love the ambiance, the quality of the food, and service. The staff is simply amazing. Look forward to continue to support this business. read more

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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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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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