Love this spot! I was in town on a Friday night and made a reservation for dinner at the bar. I felt a little trepidation about rolling solo to a hot spot restaurant on a Friday night but I ended up having a blast. The host and bartender (Alec) were super welcoming and introduced me to a few great wines from the outstanding selection. Wines by the glass can be really limiting and basic and that was not the case here at all. I had an eggplant and mint spread with a baguette and the tuna tostada. Both were very tasty and filling. The Snickers dessert is really unique and so, so good. The atmosphere is beautiful and the DJ played a very eclectic selection, from Geroge Michael to "Chickenheads" haha. Highly recommend for delicious food, fabulous wine and a fun night out. read more

Had a great experience dining outside last night at Leu Leu. The decor and music transported us to another dimension. The service was incredible from the hostess to our amazing waitress. The food was just as killer. The pastrami sliders were fantastic, albeit small. The tuna tostada was solid, but there should be 2 on the plate IMO. The potatoes and crispy mushrooms were very tasty. The scallops were delish but $36 for 2 smaller scallops and little veg to accompany is my biggest complaint. The star of the show was the half chicken. Seasoned and cooked perfectly and the portion size made up for the other portion misses. The wine list was approachable at all levels and they even had Guinness on draft. read more

We came here for dinner on a Friday evening. It was very hot. I wasn't sure what the outdoor seating was like so I had selected inside. It was definitely cooler in the shade outside. As the night drew on it got cooler inside but just be aware. The decor is adorable and the DJ was super fun. Our waitress said most of their serving dishes and glasses are antiques that the owner has collected. Love that. We ordered a glass of Gamay (because it was served cold) and beer to start. We ended up getting a bottle of the Lester Pinot Noir also because it was cold. They will let you taste any wines even before you order a full glass and that's super awesome. Note they only have beer and wine. The food was good and as everyone else has said, the portions are small. We started with the pastrami gougeres which was definitely my favorite thing that we ordered. Very, very good and not nearly as heavy as I thought they would be. I was afraid to order them because I didn't know if they'd be super filling (they are just the right amount). The summer tomato salad had an amazing ginger dressing and I thought was a pretty decent size for a small plate. The salad changes and uses seasonal ingredients. The peach was great with the tomatoes though I wish the peach had been a little more ripe. The bbq potatoes were great, my boyfriend liked those the most. And we ended with the scallops which were good but only two pieces. Definitely ask for a spoon if you get the scallops so you can make sure and get all the sauce. Overall, it's a very cute spot. Not sure if we'll go back only because it is pretty costly for the amount of food you get. But I do recommend it. read more

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This place is a vibe , quite intimate with good service and a good looking crowd . The menu offerings are on the small side with a higher price than they should but overall it's nice. I'm adding menu pics for reference . Great spot for girl meetups and they have a happy hour twice a week so make note it's not Daily read more

Leu Leu - Menu - Lounges Near Me - Encinitas, California

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This place was amazing! We came on a night with a brand new menu and had the beet salad and the chicken. The chicken was to die for!!! I can say it was probably the best chicken I had ever eaten and was similar to my quail that I had at 3 star Michelin restaurant Addison, which was my favorite dish out of the 11 courses. So needless to say, they did good!!! The place is super cute inside very eclectic and warm. The service was great and it was quite probably cause not everyone knows how good the food was. Ha ha! I will definitely be back and excited to try even more things from the menu! read more

Wow! Amazing and so delightful! The vibes were as immaculate as the food. The server was so kind and helpful! read more

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Great service and great vibe, would recommend inside seating. Liked the whipped feta dip, loved the chicken, the mushrooms and the beets. We will be back :) read more

Cute and cozy spot! You must have reservations on a Friday night. It's hard to find a kind of trendy hot spot in this area (although I can't speak of this since I don't live in North County). Parking is a bit tricky since it's residential or you can park near the train tracks. Read the reviews before you go. Not all dishes are stellar. I made sure to look up the photos and reviews. I was happy with what I ordered with 2 glasses of wine, the tuna tostada, pastrami gougeres, fried mushroom, and pasta dish. The flavors were fun and the textures were fresh. I was surprised that their desserts are so underwhelming; you would expect more creativity from this place than fruit and sweet cream. We went to get ice cream in Carlsbad to end the night. read more

Our first time here, won't be the last. Such a lovely outdoor space, creative menu, and wonderful wine selections. Our waitress was incredible! Stellar was attentive, made great recommendations and described each dish in detail so we could make our choices. She methodically arranged each plate to arrive as one finished and we were never rushed, she just knew! Such great vibes here! read more

Leu Leu - Lounges Near Me - Encinitas, California

First time going after hearing mixed reviews. We definitely enjoyed our experience there. Food had great flavors, our waitress was really good at walking us through everything and making sure we were ordering enough for the table but not going overboard. We love that they use local foods like Prager brothers bread and Little Fox ice cream! We had a fun time celebrating our friend's birthday there and would definitely recommend this place as a cute date spot too. On the flip side, I will say for every dish we got, even though we enjoyed them, there was always one spice that would overpower the balance of the dish. The flat bread with burrata had too much salt in the spice mix on the flatbread. The beef tartar was good but slightly strong with the mustard flavor on the beef. The crispy chicken was also a little too salty. The Muhammara dip though, no notes. It was so good! This could all be personal preference, and we did enjoy everything! Those were just small things I noted about the food. Pricing for everything was reasonable and we left feeling full, which is super important read more

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We went on a Thursday on a whim and sat at the little bar. I think it had three seats? It was full but not crowded if that makes sense. We had the bartender help us order - wish I could remember everything; the bluefin tostada and Mary's half chicken and some burrata dish - but all of it was great with the DJ gal spinning the perfect tunes. Everyone was having a great time too. I loved the vibe. They told us that Friday and Saturday get pretty crowded so I imagine that could be a totally different feel. Whatever the case, I thought the food and energy of the place were great. :) read more

Good little spot. Both indoors and outdoors have a nice atmosphere. Everything was delicious. Big fan of the brisket in salsa verde (the fresh tortillas were the cherry on top!). Will definitely be back - hopefully when they have their live music playing! read more

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Went to Leu Leu for my husband's birthday and loved the intimate, warm vibe. Beautifully decorated and thought out. It was just me and my husband, and we ordered, in total, with dessert, seven plates and were stuffed by the end. The food was amazing. We each got glasses of white wine. They do not serve liquor-based cocktails there. Overall, everything was amazing. One of my favorites was the tuna tostada, the Snickers dessert, and the ricotta agnolotti. read more

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First time at this establishment and made reservations despite very mixed reviews. It was a warm summer night and the outdoor patio was very cozy and comfortable but we chose to dine inside the very quaint, eclectic dinning room. The vibe and atmosphere was pleasing but not sure just how well the DJ blasting random music fits the intended vibe. The server was prompt to take our wine order and provide waters. Our waitress was super nice and made a few suggestions. The menu choices are pretty small. Our waitress did point out that most of the dishes are shareable and on the smaller side. (she was very correct in describing the dishes as small!!!) The beet salad was very delicious as was the cucumber dish. Both were fresh and perfect for the season. But again, expect a very tiny portion. The glass of Rose I ordered was decent, nothing spectacular. And here is where this restaurant misses the mark 1) The whipped feta dip reminded me of the old "sour cream , add a lipton onion soup powder and mix up and serve with Lays potato chips. It was 15$ for a small bowl and then they charged us $4.00 for a few more Lays chips when we requested some more. The $24.00 tuna tostada was just that one very very small tostada with a few cubes of tuna. My dining partner even called out this dish to the waitress. She admitted it was pushing the envelope of decency. It was delicious but wow, what a gouge price point The potato dish $15 was something you would get at a breakfast spot, over seasoned and under portioned. Everything was tiny, tiny tiny and pricy. No value whatsoever and the waitress then comes at us with the total hard sell as well. Somehow everything on the menu that we inquired about was "her favorite ". On top of a very over priced meal, they add a 5% experience fee to the total. We all left perplexed regarding the wisdoms of serving such ridiculously small portions for full portion pricing. Even when I go to fine dining spots, I still want to have perceived value at whatever price point the meal is. There is no value here and then they hit the 5% fee on it and of course also expect a huge tip. I saw no disclosure of this fee. If it was on the menu it was in small font and purposely placed accordingly. I will not be returning or recommending this restaurant. read more

What a beautiful place. A cute little cottage with outdoor seating in the indoor seating was a gem. The hostess changed our table to inside after we requested due to the cooler weather. Very attentive service. The salad was amazing. The ceviche was a bit salty, but very flavorful. The hummus needed a little bit more seasoning and lemon in my mind. The Keema orzo was seriously, super flavorful and delicious. Overall, an amazing service and I can't wait to come back. A very intimate setting. Thank you team! read more

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It was a touch difficult to locate Leu Leu Restaurant along Coast Boulevard. I passed it a number of times, but then I found it. There is one handicapped parking space available within the small parking lot. It was nice to visit the new home of a chef who formerly worked at Liberty Station. One enters Leu Leu via two tall blue-painted reclaimed-wood doors. There is a charming patio that raps around the structure [apparently the complex was formerly a vintage motel]. The interior is small and equally charming. It is all polished woods inside, recalling being inside a cozy Swiss chalet, which is fun. The resident Disc Jockey also presides from a high booth set in the interior of Leu Leu. The entire experience of my dinner at Leu Leu Restaurant was better than expected. From the kind and professional service to the interesting food, the evening of my visit was five stars all the way. Bravo. read more

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Vibe is dope - a hidden gem nestled next to some small businesses. Never went inside to see the seating, but outside was inviting and had a really cool giant tree (with disco ball) and nice lighting. Food - 4/5. Food is intended to be shared. Crab tostada and shrimp rolls (rolled tacos) were spectacular. Lots of flavor profiles going on. The crispy chicken was a miss (2/5) mainly because it was heavily, and I mean heavily salted. Super crisp, but nearly inedible without the mole - which was more like a masala tbh. Butter rice was also a nice feature. The dessert gets huge kudos for working with Little Fox ice cream in Oceanside - it's top tier local ice cream so happy to see two spots collabing. They've got a nice wine selection, some beers but no spirits - womp womp. Service is good, they explain the menu well. This is a great place to go on a date, have a celebration, or just chill and share plates. read more

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The food was delicious, but the portions were definitely on the smaller side--be prepared to grab an In-N-Out afterward! Service was fast, our server was incredibly nice, and the drinks were absolutely amazing. Highly recommend just plan to order multiple dishes to get filled up. read more

Leu Leu - tuna tostada $23 - Lounges Near Me - Encinitas, California

As I took my first bite of the Winter Roasted Vegetable Salad, I immediately texted my best friend in Australia & said "Currently eating the best salad of my life. Details to come." I don't know how to explain it- there is a seasoning in this salad with the mix of veggies that make me want to go full-on vegetarian. We also got the flatbread which was our second favorite dish- the nice touch of burrata and the various nuts and spices were delicate and divine. The crispy chicken and meatballs were good- but nothing to separate their dishes from other places with similar palate. The ambience and character is what makes this cute hideout a gem. We sat on the patio with a disco ball hanging from a tree, candle lighting, and their famous aqua painted door. Inside there is a DJ & dramatic jade green curtains hanging over tables, inviting you to camaraderie amongst friends over wine and good grub. I will literally go there back for this seasonal salad. I am now blue-that everytime I eat any other salad, it will all sadly pale in comparison to my first bites here. We came for an early Valentine's Day Dinner, but we left with an indention for salad delicacy that is simply irreplaceable. read more

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Tried this new place and it was delicious! Very unique atmosphere. Limited seating best to make a reservation. Menu was simple which we liked. Drinks are seasonal with a good selection of wines to choose from: I ordered a spritz with blueberry (forgot the name) We had the Feta and Red Pepper and Roasted Garlic Hummus served with pita bread and Prager Brother Artisan bread. Yum! We also had the Beef Stifatho and Crispy Chicken. Both very good. I recommend this place. read more

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I'm not normally an octopus or lemon bar person but the chef here changed my mind. That alone says everything you need to know. This place has a wonderful intimate energy, perfect for sharing tapas and settling into a relaxed unhurried evening. The ambiance is warm and inviting, service was attentive and the food is genuinely adventurous in the best way- each small plate a little surprise for the palate. And yes order the crispy chicken. The seasonal menu has me excited to go back and see what they'll do next. Good wine, on site chill background dj, a true encinitas experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for something a little different. This one is special. read more

What are your hours? My wife and I showed up at 8:45 PM on Sunday, August 2nd for drinks and drinks only (I was sure to disclose this). While multiple tables were seated, eating food, we were told you were closed. Google and Yelp both show you are open until 10 PM. read more

This mysterious spot, a blend of music lounge and fusion restaurant, feels like a secret worth sharing. We finally got lucky and snagged a last-minute table. Tucked away in a mall in Leucadia, it doesn't look like much from the outside, but step in and the vibe shifts immediately. The host was incredibly attentive, turned on the heater for us while we waited and even offered a glass of sparkling wine. A lovely start. We ordered the Rip & Dip (50/50 roasted red pepper butter and toum). The Prager Bros bread and escabeche veggies were the perfect delivery system for the dips. The toum with pistachio dukkha? Bright, bold, and addictive. Then came the Fabergé Egg--Wagyu tartar wrapped in sushi rice and fried, served on seaweed. A clever little gem. (Though I do wish the seaweed had been just a bit crispier.) For mains, the Pibil Lamb Shank was fall-off-the-bone tender. A splash of lime really elevated the flavor and cut through the richness beautifully. The Baja Sea Bass Shawarma hit all the right notes, bright, spicy, and comforting. We finished with Ponyboy, a wild mashup of passion fruit, lime, turmeric, cheesecake, and a miso tahini cookie crumble. It sounded exciting but ended up being my least favorite of the night. A little too chaotic for my taste. Still, the chef is creating something special here--vibrant, cozy, and wildly creative. Worth the splurge. Worth the wait. read more

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Four of us had dinner here and all loved it. Came here with a bit of trepidation because the menu didn't have any sort of a familiar theme. As it turned out it didn't matter because most everything we did have was superb. Fried chicken, sea bass as main courses and three appetizers were plenty for four. The Faberge egg and tostada were both treats and unique. The veggies and dips were the least interesting. Our server was a manager, Natalie, and she was really wonderful. She took time to explain the menu item by item, and you could tell how much she loved the restaurant and everything about it. Her enthusiams was infectuous, but also well deserved and she treated us like honored guests. This was one of those rare dining experiences where everything worked well - the food, the service, the ambience - the entire experience. Can't wait to go back for their winter menu coming soon. read more

Leu Leu - Faberge Egg - Lounges Near Me - Encinitas, California

Was a mixed bag that left me disappointed in Claudette Zepeda's restaurant. The good: ambiance/music and wine selection. The crab tostada I'd recommend. The meh: The pan com tomate was not worth even taking a picture. They put the smallest anchovy I've ever seen on it. Ridiculous $7. For how expensive this place is, the service was lacking. They didn't ever refill our wine or swap our plates between dishes. Not sure what type of service they are going for. The bad: shrimp summer rolls were so salty from the cotija maybe? Like a bad lumpia meets a worse taquito but no taste of shrimp. The white widow salsa came with a warning from the server about how hot it was. Maybe make something more medium for $38 rolls! Only overly spicy hot sauce was available. The brisket was just BAD. Seriously lacking flavor. Tortillas were nothing special. I was shocked. Overall I can't give Leu Leu more than 3/5. read more

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Service 5/5 Ambiance 3.5/5 Food 4/5 Highlights: cute place, great flavors, kind and attentive servers. Top plates: bluefin tostada, whipped feta dip, heirloom tomato salad and beet salad Cons: very loud when they have a dj, hot inside since it's an open kitchen, prices for some dishes seemed too high Overall, I really enjoyed this spot and would come again! read more

We arrived about 30 minutes before our Friday night reservation, and the hostess was incredibly accommodating, seating us right away. From the moment we walked in, the space felt welcoming and relaxed. The DJ spinning records was a fun touch and added to the overall vibe. The interior is charming--garden-like with mismatched tables and chairs--and the decor is thoughtfully done. Service was truly commendable. Everyone we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and attentive throughout the evening. We were seated inside, which felt cozy and lively, though it did get fairly noisy, especially since we were near a very large group. This would actually be a great spot for a group gathering or event. One thing to note: the website does not reflect the current menu, which was a bit confusing. As for the food, it was good but not particularly memorable. The avgolemono soup was comforting but lacked depth. The crispy chicken was indeed crispy, but flavor-wise it fell flat--it needed much more of the mole sauce, as only a small dash was provided. Without it, the dish felt underwhelming. The fried bread was actually very good, but unfortunately it arrived after we had already finished our entrées, so we ended up boxing it to take home. The drink selection is limited to beer and wine, but the sangria was enjoyable. Overall, there was nothing wrong with the food, but nothing stood out either. With just a few thoughtful tweaks to the menu and execution, this place could really shine, because the atmosphere and service are already doing a lot of the heavy lifting. read more

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I dined here on a Wednesday evening around 8 PM with a friend. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and it's beautifully decorated. They had live music playing, which added to the charm. Overall, a very cute and cozy atmosphere. When we sat down, the bartender, who is also the owner, came by to open our bottle of wine. However, the corkage fee was shockingly high at $45. Our waitress never once refilled our wine glasses and had to be reminded to bring water, which she also never topped off. They do serve complimentary cheese-it style crackers while you wait, and they're delicious, a nice touch. The food itself was phenomenal, though a bit overpriced. The portion sizes were ideal for sharing. We ordered: Cold Dishes: *Leu Leu's Fabergé Egg - beautifully presented and flavorful. *Bluefin Tuna Crudo - excellent overall, but the tuna was a bit tough to cut; it would have been better if pre-sliced. Hot Dish (Main Course): *Fried Chicken - generous serving, crispy, and absolutely delicious. My friend thought it was a little salty, but I enjoyed it. Overall, two cold dishes and one hot dish were the perfect amount for two people. One small note: we were warned that the wooden boards outside leading to the restroom and entrance aren't heel-friendly. Considering how upscale this spot is, that's something they should fix. In summary, the food and atmosphere were outstanding, and the owner was very friendly. Unfortunately, the service was disappointing. No one checked in on us during the meal. We had to request clean plates after our appetizers, and we even had to bring the check to the waitress ourselves. For the prices charged, especially that $45 corkage fee, I expected much better service. The food alone is worth trying, but if they want to live up to a five-star reputation, the service needs serious improvement. read more

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I was excited to try Leu Leu because I saw an article about its opening and reservation was a bit more challenging because it was mostly through text/phone. Entering Leu Leu felt like entering a hidden door and behind those doors was an eclectically space that took you to a collection of various memories and experiences. I want to come back to experience it with music. Onto the food-had the rip and dip (pistachio dukka and whipped butter with tahini and garbanzo). This was lovely and perfect with some veggies in escabeche and artisan bread. Spicy pan con tomate was a bite bursting with flavor. The pibil lamb shank was falling off the bone tender. The Baja seabass shawarma was interesting but it was a bit dry and made me miss the moist and flaky texture of seabass that I so love. Also at almost $50, the few slices of the shawarma was just lacking. The faberge egg with beef tartar was my favorite. I loved the flavor and the contrasting textures. I didn't know what to make out of the dessert ponyboy and I don't think it knew either. It was just too many flavors that didn't work well together. I would probably come back again when there's music since I love the decor and vibe of the place. read more

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Wow, loved it, thank you Leu Leu's and Chef Zepeda! The Leu Leu's fabergé egg was my favorite hands down (see egg yolk wrapped in rice and waygu tartare with dish of nori to wrap and eat). Plus appreciated all the little surprises and details with the check biscuit not biscuit tin that's all too family in my childhood plus the heartfelt note inside. We were seated on the patio for dinner and the tables were set up beautifully with vintage silverware and fresh flowers. There's a few parking spots in the lot but we found a street spot. Our server Alec was very helpful and provided excellent suggestions and a menu overview. The staff brought up house water with basil and a cheez-its house treat to start. For dinner we got the hot special of the whole Baja golden sea bass that came with sticky rice and a tomatillo type sauce and was cooked to perfection! Lots of wine on the menu beverage options. I was set on two desserts so got the pony sundae with passionfruit turmeric with cheesecake bites ice cream (so refreshing) with nuts and curry leaves and lime leaves. The second dessert was the chef special farmers blueberry bicolor sweet corn cinnamon rolls with ice cream on top which was decadent. Would come back when we're hungry to try more hot and cold mains. read more

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Great food. Great Service. Great Ambience. Great soundtrack. Great wine, List. Highly recommended.

This was my first time and it did not disappoint. To start, the ambiance is intimate, vintage, waiters with 90s shirts, and live DJ but the music was not too overpowering that you couldn't hear conversation. The attention to detail in the decoration is eclectic and on target. Our waiter walked us through the whole menu and asked if we had any food allergies or specific requests. She was very attentive to what we were looking for. The food was top notch. It's family style so you can order multiple things from the menu to share. The portions for the cold and hot dishes were good, generous. Our waiter recommended a bottle of wine to pair it with. The menu is small but the food is focused on quality over quantity. The food presentation was excellent. I saw mixed reviews when this place opened but restaurants can have a rocky start and improve and it seems that they have overcome these issues. My recommendation, give this one a try, you'd not be disappointed. read more

Leu Leu - Lounges Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Unique and eclectic. We got to meet celebrity chef Claudette! She was absolutely working her butt off, on the front lines serving food, and took the time to speak with us. Highly recommend! read more

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Epic in every way. Locals only. The most charming of places. Service was amazing. Attentive without being over bearing or intrusive. The food was the star of the show. read more

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Leu Leu is a culinary experience mixed with chill vibes and great ambiance. We decided on a whim to have dinner at Leu Leu and secured a reservation 2 hours before we arrived. The host was pleasant and walked us to our table. You enter through ornate double doors that open into a cozy patio. We were initially seated next to the bathroom and after several minutes asked to be moved to a different table on the patio. Our server was happy to oblige. Our culinary journey started with a tub of freshly pickled vegetables, which were fantastic. We sampled a number of wines, all of which were suggested by our server, and they were top notch. We ordered items from the Rip and Dip, cold, and hot menus. Each item was unique and the ingredients were incredibly fresh. We had nothing but high praise for the quality and taste of the entrees. As the night was winding down, we asked to be moved inside to enjoy the music and eclectic decorations. We were celebrating my partner's birthday and they gave us a choice from dessert menu. The Super Sexy Sundae was delicious. They had a DJ playing vinyl records that set the tone of our evening, which was wonderful. I cannot help but rave about our experience. If you are ever in the area and looking for excellent food and chill vibes, Leu Leu is the place for you. read more

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This was my second time at Leu Leu. I think this is a cool edition to north county and the Leucadia food scene. I will say that they recently switched stuff and so the menu is different and more limited than the last time I was there. This time we got the rip and dip and ceviche for appetizers. The whipped feta dip is my favorite, and I like that they can make it gluten friendly by bringing tostadas. The ceviche had a good flavor but the cut of the fish was more like canned tuna so we didn't like that. For entrees we had the shrimp rolls which were like a fancy shrimp taquito. They came with a widow sauce which was beyond hot. The flavors were good but this one was just okay. We finished with crispy chicken with mole sauce. This one was delicious and the chicken is gluten free which is impressive. I loved the flavors in the mole. The server was super knowledgeable and helpful and brought me some Prosecco to taste as well as got our heat lamp changed asap! We wanted to see the Tarot guy that is supposed to be there every Thursday but sadly he didn't show up. We sat on the patio which was cute and had plenty of heat lamps. read more

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Food was ok but overpriced. Service was good. Be aware of 5% "experience fee" on your check.

The limited sized menu and size of kitchen will constrain how successful this place will be. Also, from a dining experience, there is a big difference between sitting inside (only a few tables but very cool decor) versus outside (alley/parking lot with heaters that hit half the diners and loud train noises multiple times per hour). The dips are great, the tuna crudo was middle of the road, the egg/tartare gets high scores for presentation and creativity but it was a little too acidic for my liking. We shared the lamb shank which was good but a little dried in some some spots and fatty in others. The service was friendly and well informed. read more

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The yelp community seems to have mixed feelings about Leu Leu. We took a chance and were not sorry. I can only speak for myself and my family but I have to say the experience we had was superb. Natalie, our waitress, was an absolute sweetheart. She and the rest of the staff took amazing care of us. Their hospitality was truly top notch. Took a few minutes for us to get seated but the courtyard was very nice. We sat under this cool old tree on a beautiful evening. We started with a bottle of wine and some small bites and apps. The pan con tomate was so delicate. The rip and dip with red pepper and toum spreads was one of our favorites of the night. The dips were unbelievable flavorful and well executed, the bread was very good, and the house pickles were awesome. Could have eaten that dish 3 times over. Also had the crudo which was a bit on the small side but the sauces were just unreal. Came with jalisco style toastadas, which are by far my favorite kind of tostada and one which I've never seen used at a restaurant. Nice touch! Finally, we had the rock crab ceviche which was so nice and refreshing and really well done. For mains we had the lamb shank and the duck confit. Really really enjoyed the lamb shank. Fall off the bone tender and with a great sauce. Also really liked the mushroom pickle thing they had going on. The duck was good, really liked the sauce, but not quite as impressive as all of the other dishes. Lastly, we had a passion fruit sundae with sesame miso caramel which was tangy and nutty and delicious. Overall great experience. Super excited to have Leu Leu in the neighborhood. Will definitely be coming back with my wife and some more of our friends. read more

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Leu Leu is a gem in the Encinitas food experience. From the start, the hostess was very friendly and the ambiance is relaxed but has a subtle speakeasy vibe that makes it feel special. A big shoutout to our server, Natalie--she walked us through the entire menu with great detail, making sure any allergies were accounted for while also pointing out her personal favorites. She was friendly, funny, and genuinely made the night more enjoyable. The rest of the staff was just as welcoming--prompt service, perfectly paced dishes, and always a smile when food and drinks arrived. Drinks-wise, Leu Leu doesn't serve cocktails but offers a solid wine list, local beers, and a refreshing Aperol Spritz mocktail. I went with an IPA while my girlfriend had the spritz--both excellent choices. Now, to the food - Marinated Castelvetrano Olives A standout snack. The tapenade-style marinade added a rich, savory twist. Leu Leu's Fabergé Egg | A unique play on beef tartare--crisp breading, flavorful tartare, and nori sheets to wrap it all up. Creative and delicious. Bluefin Tuna Crudo | An absolute must-order. The tuna was unbelievably fresh, and the lemongrass-coconut marinade was bright and balanced. The housemade tostadas made the perfect base. Crispy Chicken | Another must-order. Generous portion, perfectly crispy, with a tikka masala-style sauce that packs just the right heat. 14oz Pibil Lamb Shank | Rich, tender, and deeply flavorful. A hearty dish that's worth sharing. It's a pricier night out but honestly, for the quality of the food, portion sizes, and level of service, it feels justified. This isn't your everyday dinner spot--it's a place for a date night, special celebration, or even just a pre-dinner drink and appetizer if you want to get a taste of the experience. For two beers, a mocktail, and five dishes, our total came to about $200 before tip. Highly recommend Leu Leu. Thoughtful service, incredible food, and an atmosphere that feels both fun and elevated. read more

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