I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at dLena. I shared the brunch special where you get the entire menu in tapas style and bottomless drinks. It was a lot of food for two people to share and there was only the option to decline food, which was hard to do considering you pay for everything on the menu. I wish that the drinks were flowing a bit more. The vibes were good and the service was adequate and attentive. Our server was knowledgeable of the menu and had great recommendations to offer. Would only do the brunch special again with a larger group, but since I've tasted the entire menu already, there's no rush to come back. read more

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

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

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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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

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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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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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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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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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

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

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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Came back for lunch. Had the fish tacos. Mercado Margarita. Good service- although I had to ask for a menu when I came in and sat at the bar. I was the only one but I was sitting there for a couple mins and no one noticed, so I had to say something at some point. Great ambience. read more

dLeña - La Baja Fish Taco** - 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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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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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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(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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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I like the food but overall I would say the ambience is pretty loud and the service is just okay. They are sticklers about tables and reservations so the first time I went I could only sit at the bar. We had the crab guacomole, which was excellent. The second time we tried the queso fundido for an appetizer and I loved the salsas that came along. We opted to add mushrooms as well. I also got the birria de hongos, I was excited since I can't often get birria as a vegetarian. However it did not have that much consume. It was tasty but felt more like a mushroom taco. My partner got the short rib and loved it as the meat was tender and salsa/veg accompaniments worked well with the dish. All the dishes were served on tree trunks which was eclectic and fun for the spirit of the location. I found the host stand to be kind of rude and the servers to be non attentive. Maybe they have so many people come through but it doesn't feel personalized or warm. 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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This is probably going to end up being one of my new favorite restaurants! First of all the aesthetics are gorgeous inside, I wish I had more time to take them in but I took advantage of the outdoor seating. Our waitress was okay, she did take a while to come and check on us and I was often going to find her (probably because we were seated outside), but besides that nothing to really complain about. My friend and I shared the wagyu empanadas as appetizer, I got the pork shank as a main, and we shared the carajillo crème brûlée for dessert. The winner had to go to those wagyu empanadas wow!!! It was the perfect amount of flavor and spice where it wasn't overbearing and melted in your mouth. I enjoyed the pork shank as well but it was missing those same spices as the empanadas. Better when I asked for a spicy sauce. I also loved the coffee flavor of the crème brûlée, it had me wanting more. read more

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