Ambiance: simple and classy - lovely for date night! Super accommodating with dietary restrictions (I don't eat lamb or goat products so they replaced the meat on their menu with beef for me) Just let them know a day before hand :) Food: Overall, delicious with some interesting flavors and presentations. The highlight for sure was the bread. OMG at first we saw other tables and thought it was some sort of roasted cauliflower lol but no - it was the fluffiest, most buttery bread, ever. Super tasty and just soaks up all that nice sauce it's served with (literally soaks up all that nice umami flavor from the mushrooms). It was heaven. The little bite sized treats at the end of the meal were also super interesting, especially the foie gras rice krispees. I really liked it - have never seen that combo before, liked that salty-sweet pair. Definitely interesting. My bf thought it was horrendous though lol, said the two should never be combined as they're fantastic on their own. I guess it's one of those love it/hate it foods. read more

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We had a very very long travel day and were honestly so exhausted when we arrived we had zero interest in a tasting menu. We were also starving. We had very low expectations which were beyond exceeded! I am so happy to share I had such a great experience dining at AnnaLena. As a vegetarian who enjoys fine dining, it is so rare to come by an establishment which knows how to not only make vegetables taste out of this world, but to leave you feeling perfectly full. I completely felt that after leaving this restaurant after enjoying the tasting menu! There were 10 courses and they were all absolutely spectacular as was the service. Everything was amazing! I highly recommend and wish I lived in Vancouver just so I could enjoy this restaurant again! read more

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Stellar all around. Every single bite was delicious, several items in particular managed to stop time delighting the senses and flavor bombing the palette. Love love love the chill vibe here. Nothing pretentious. Every person was outstanding and authentic and a pleasure to be around. From the moment we sat down we were gently whisked away on a culinary adventure, from start to finish it was a perfect experience. Grateful for the staff, especially our lovely bartender and all the sherpas that led us through each tasting. Can't wait to come back. read more

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ABSOLUTE LOVE. I actually didn't know very much about this place at all until I surprised my gf with a trip to Vancouver and she made sure we could dine here at Annalena. Now that they are 1-Michelin star, I think it's a bit hard for ressies to come by! Right away just the vibe of the restaurant was soothing. Dark interiors, bold walls, funky decor. You know you're in for a swank experience. I didn't really know what the style of food was, but the drinks were funky and delicious, the flavors on each dish was pretty much explosive & cohesive at the same time, and the entire meal was excellent. I particularly love their idea of engaging with your food in cleaner ways because we definitely feel more feasty when we pick food up, so a lot of creative ways to eat as well. Definitely recommend it! read more

Annalena is a combination of hype street aesthetics meets fine dining. They have cool figurines that blends seamlessly with the luxurious fine dining atmosphere. The tasting menu here is something to try out if you want to try some of their best dishes. They are highly deserving of the Michelin star that they have received and I would definitely recommend you make a visit! The service is also super attentive and everyone working there seems to really care about your dining experience ! read more

the food was amazing, some of the best food i've ever had. the presentation, the flavours were so good. we had a great time and the service was really good. it was also really nice of them to accommodate to any allergies. i just don't know if i would go back again however because of the pricing. read more

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Excellent service, incredible food, and well informed staff, all while seeming proper yet not snobby, AnnaLena had it all. The tasting menu was phenomenal, and I was sad the torn bread wasn't on the menu. But the Brick Bread felt eerily similar and by far the best dish. Everything was incredible, and the mini surprise bites in between were all delicious. The service... was outstanding. An incredibly well informed sommelier and servers that were kind and genuine, everyone was on their A game. The restaurant was beautiful, but never felt stuck up - not snobby at all. Probably my favorite restaurant in the city. read more

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When I first ate at Anna lena several years ago, it was a la carte and one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at. For years, I reminisced on my experience eating at the restaurant and raved about the food. Then maybe 4 years passed and they became a tasting menu only place. The food was still really good but it wasn't as mind blowing as I remembered. Torn bread dish is the absolute highlight and still incredible. I recommend the wine pairing as they source interesting, unique and delicious wines read more

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The Michelin star here is well deserved. The food was creative, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Service was great as well. This was the best meal we had in Vancouver and we all had a great time. read more

Wasn't sure it would live up to all the hype - it did. Absolutely amazing. To start, the service was top notch. They used our names frequently, they explained things, they were engaging, we weren't rushed. Service was definitely some of the best service I have ever had anywhere. The starters were an oyster dish which was delicious - especially considering I don't like oysters and a beef tartar. Then is was a carrot salad but not just any carrot salad, there was mussels, beef, cod..... and the last course was an amazing almond cake, oh and then there were chocolates. One of the chocolates you absolutely need to guess what it is - it was delicious but you wouldn't think it would be if you knew. They were accommodating as the barley dish came with truffles and they didn't put them on mine as I am not a fan. The atmosphere is great. I would not be able to come up with one negative thing to say. Top notch place to go. read more

I booked a reservation 30 days in advance for my partners birthday. You have to log on promptly at 9am to get a reservation but I promise you the effort is worth it! When I made the reservation I emailed them to inquire if they were able to do a gluten free menu and a no red meat menu to accommodate my allergy and my partners preference. I'm so glad that they were able to accommodate! We started off with some appetizers (complimentary not on the menu) which were similar to a chicken sausage, oyster with foie gras and a croquette. All of them were amazing in their own unique ways. We then started with our first course of carrots which had an incredible horseradish sauce. Next was the muscles in the broth with gluten free bread - so tasty and this was the first time that I actually enjoyed muscles (usually I find them fishy but this was not at all). Then we moved to risotto (the original menu had barely risotto but they were able to accommodate with a rice risotto); it was the best risotto I've ever eaten. Then we moved to the main which you had a choice of: trout or pork. I opted for the pork and the combination of flavours and the crunchy tempura topping texture was perfect. Finally, for our last course, we got the dessert which was an almond cake with ice cream and nuts on top; probably my favourite dessert I've ever eaten. The service was incredible as well. It didn't feel like we were constantly being stared at which gave us room to enjoy the meal and experience. I can't wait to return for the next chapter! read more

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What a fantastic restaurant! Upon entering, my two friends and I were welcomed by a very warm and kind host. He was all smiles and I felt that he was genuinely happy to see us. We were quickly sat and thought that the interior was very chic and the lighting felt very comforting but elevated ambiance. The food really was incredible, the cocktails were fantastic too. The Michelin star here is very well deserved for the food. The tasting menu really incorporated a lot of fun and tasty flavor profiles. I really loved the first dish- which came in a small styrofoam box which had the oyster and shaved foie gras. There was nothing that my two friends and I had complaints over. The only thing we thought could use some touches were the service. The service staff felt very robotic and cold. The back of the house staff that came out to drop off our food from time to time felt very warm in our opinion. A couple of things were pointed out by my friends. The two times that my friends went to the restroom, the service staff didn't redo the napkins; occasionally there were three service staff members that would come to the table to clear plates which felt very crowded. At the end of the day though, I would come back again in a heartbeat. Can't wait to see what their new tasting menu is like. read more

AnnaLena has changed its menu format a lot since I last reviewed it. Now they offer a single pre-fixe menu with maybe two options for the main course. But that's not why I'm dropping 2 stars from my original review of this restaurant 7 years ago. In fact, the food is even better now. Spectacular, actually. You'd be hard pressed to find any restaurant in Vancouver creating the kind of food that AnnaLena is putting out right now. It's beautiful to the palate and to the eyes. I've eaten in some of the best restaurants in NYC, and AnnaLena could compete there with the best easily, that's how good the food is. The food is 5 stars. The ambience in the dining room, however, is 1 star. And that's wholly due to the fact that the staff at AnnLena insists on blasting rock and hip-hop music throughout the dining room at an ear-splitting volume that makes it difficult to have a conversation with anyone who may be dining with you without shouting across the table. It's so unfortunate. The food is world-class, Michelin-star fine-dining, but the ambiance of the dining room is chain-restaurant bar desperately trying to cater to a young crowd. It doesn't fit at all with the high standard of the food and service and unfortunately spoils the experience. I have frequently had to ask the waiter to repeat what they were saying because I can't hear them over the music. Two friends who've been to AnnaLena said the same thing: food is phenomenal, music is horrendous and way too loud. They haven't gone back as a result. While I tend to stay away from restaurants that blast loud music in the dining room, I do love the food there, so, now I go to AnnaLena only during the warm weather when you can sit at a table outside a little further away from the speakers blasting loud rock and hip-hop music directly into your eardrums. read more

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It's one of the few Michelin star restaurants you can still get a reservation at by booking 30 days ahead, since they block their calendar. Service was very attentive, and ambiance intimate. It was a nice atmosphere for a catch up dinner. Food was good, I'm happy I tried. But I wouldn't go out of my way to come again. The flavor combinations were not extraordinary but worked well. Price is reasonable. But it was a good experience. The fish was our favorite. But you don't get to pick anyway. So just try it and hope the menu works for you that month. read more

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Do you remember big fireworks shows - they start small and you are in awe at how large they get at the end? But you're impressed and excited by each one? Carry that experience over to every bite of food and you'll know exactly what it's like to dine at AnnaLena. From the moment you walk in the door and are greeted by a kind smile (hello Rev!) to the first sip of your wine pairing, the entire environment runs like a well-tuned piano and the experience comes through beautifully. Come here for a dining experience - not just a quick bite. You'll be treated to the chef's genius menu, which changes on a rotation. Each course is designed to perfectly meld in your mouth with texture and taste and build upon one another (like the fireworks) into the grand finale and even an encore. I do recommend the wine pairing if you can afford the extra expense. The wine helps enhance the flavors immensely and are locally sourced (from wine country Canada). I'm from Los Angeles, which is known to be a foodie town, and I've traveled extensively around the world. I would dare any "Michelin star" restaurant to come close to the overall experience and offerings AnnaLena provides. Unpretentious, unique and fun surroundings, perfectly paired dining offerings, and highly trained staff all made this evening the gastronomic highlight of my trip to Vancouver. Great job! read more

AnnaLena - I won't spoil the surprise - but this tasty little sweet bite may come out during your visit. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

It's been four years since we were able to come back to our favorite restaurant in the city. Having a kid can do that to you (depending on variables, of course... but I digress). We returned for our anniversary this year. It has, quite literally, been planned for a year. It was the best meal we had had in four years. More importantly, I love the new concept, the tasting, and the pairing of wine. What a treat. We have decided that there's no point in going anywhere else since we are always wowwed here. If you're gonna eat somewhere other than family friendly... why not go for the best. Thank you again for one of the most memorable meals! read more

First of all 10/10 on presentation. Everything is beautifully presented. This is one of the best restaurants I've been to.

One of the best fine dining experiences I've had, especially at this price point. Totally blown away by the creativity and execution on the tasting menu. read more

Holy hell this place is good. From the amuse bouch to the turnips to the crispy fluffy brioche to the spaghettini (my God the spaghettini) to the succulent lamb to the drinks to the sweet treats - This was an epic meal 10/10. The staff was on point, so nice and friendly. The food was perfection. The vibes were stand out exceptional. I can't recommend this place more highly. Best restaurant in Vancouver award imo. Eat here and discover dishes you didn't know you needed to discover. read more

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Absolutely stunning dishes. Everything from the initial welcome to the final dish was perfectly timed and executed. The kitchen did things with food that we didn't know were possible. My mind still reeks over the most delicious torn bread that was an ethereal cloud of delicious savory. We're food nerds and former chefs yet this texture is still beyond us after contemplating for a month. The lighting music and vibe transported us to our favorite haunts throughout various nations. It was perfect. read more

Out of town review, from the states. Wow is what I would say if someone asked me how my experience was at AnnaLena. Visiting Vancouver for my birthday and our mini-moon and we always like to find a pre-fix/ tasting menu restaurant to try every time we travel. We've tried many Michelin star(s) restaurants in the states and internationally and we've never been come across one that we loved every course! But AnnaLena knocked it out of the park with every dish! 6 for6!! I also add a wine pairing to my dinner and the wines paired perfectly with each course. Most of the wine was from Europe. The service was also very top notch from the moment we walked into the restaurant. Every component of each dish was very well thought up. The tear up bread (which is extra) was prepared differently with how I'm used to have bread be served at restaurants but very very good. My favorite corse of the night was the duck breast. If only my husband videoed my first bite reaction! Crispy duck skin, perfect cook and texture, and flavor was on point! When the Michelin guide makes its way to Canada, I would be surprised if it doesn't get at minimum a star! read more

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WOW! This place was just amazing. After a few days straight of Hong Kong Chinese food I really needed to eat something non-Asian. AnnaLena is consistently listed as one of the best and must try restaurants on several online websites. Service was great and the food was just fabulous!!! We wanted to order and try everything on the menu but finally decided on the following: 1. Oysters - who knew that apples, jalapenos and shaved foie gras on top of a fresh oyster would be the perfect combo of flavors?!?! It was so yummy we ordered a second round of oysters for the table! 2. Vegetable - the roasted root vegetables slathered in a garlicky white sauce was very delicious and simple but memorable at the same time! 3. Octopus - the octopus was very tender and the brussels sprouts were charred to perfection. Mixed in with the chimichurri sauce was pure heaven 4. Mussels - I love me some PEI mussels and off the shell is perfectly fine with me. The preserved lemon, garlic and thyme sauce was refreshing and light. The torn bread that accompanied the dish was so good by itself but became awesome after dipping it into the sauce! 5. Halibut - the hazelnut miso and fermented green garlic sauce was delicious but I think the fish was slightly overcooked. But still a good tasting dish. 6. Duck - the duck was slightly overcooked but the skin was so delicious. The pear sauce paired perfectly with the duck. Ended with the following desserts: 1. Basil - baked strawberry, milk crumb and strawberry sorbet tasted interesting and light. Still not quite sure how I feel about this dessert as I don't love it or hate it but I did really enjoy the strawberry sorbet. 2. Chocolate - my favorite dessert of the night. Nice deconstruction of a tiramisu with strong coffee flavor! Overall, I loved how all the dishes were fairly light and not too rich tasting. I will definitely make it a point to stop by again the next time I am in town to try the other items off the menu! read more

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Particularly appreciated the set menu focus which allows the place to concentrate on its strengths vs. trying to be all things to everyone all at once. Don't be fooled by the minimalist menu though - there's more than enough food for each person. The food was good but lacked diverse, distinctive flavours in my opinion. Like the wine pairings, I found everything to be relatively safe. Not sure if the wine pairing is worth the extra vs. the by-the-glass/bottle route. Staff and service were friendly, but in a transactional sort of way - multiple servers throughout, Could have done with a bit less folklore around the wines. Menu illegible especially in half-light: silver/grey on white! All in all, good, but no standouts in my opinion, so expensive for that ($700 for 2) read more

We need 6 stars. Tonight was next level cuisine and service. The current tasting menu is goosebump worthy. Every bite takes you on a culinary magic carpet ride. We had a special night to celebrate (birthday went next level!) and Natasha and Rev set the table for it to be among the most memorable...ever. read more

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This was my first tasting here. I loved it! Each and every morsel was delicious, the presentation exquisitely created. It was art in my mouth, eye candy for my pleasure. If I lived in or near Vancouver, I'd return over and over. read more

So glad my boyfriend and I were able to snatch a spot last minute. The service was very good and the dishes were so yummy. I especially loved that the portions were just right- I wasn't too full at the end! I love how the menus change every few weeks because I definitely want to keep going back :) read more

AnnaLena - Canadian (New) Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Great tasting menu. Very rich though. Could've used some acid or palate cleanser. The first course of ceviche was very refreshing but after that it was heavy on heavier. The dishes were good but weren't super exciting? I feel like if a restaurant does something like tasting menus, then it should be not only well planned and seasonal but also exciting. Good flavours but I guess I've just had better in Vancouver at a similar price point. The pasta course was my favourite because I love mushrooms. The matsutake didn't have much flavour... surprisingly. The porcini foam was more of a custard like sauce but I didn't mind. It was nice. Pasta was perfectly cooked. Our meat course was just ok. Bison was tender but I wouldn't expect any less knowing it was cooked via sous vide. My husband upgraded to the wagyu beef and it was just ok. Nothing to go on about. My husband and I didn't go for the wine pairings (thankfully cuz we would've been so full)... but we did have two cocktails each and they are tasty! Our server was wonderful and attentive. read more

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I come here at least 3 or 4 times a year to try the ever changing menu and AnnaLena never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes it's tough to book a table, but the wait is well worth it if you decide to come here last minute (and they'll text you when your turn is up!) This time around I decided to end my Dine Out Vancouver tour on a high note with a reservation for 2 at one my highly recommended places and was not disappointed at all! I was glad to see that the Torn Bread with Tallow Butter was still being served and my "eyes lit up" (as our server noted) when it arrived at the table. Trust me, it sounds odd, but the bread and tallow hits all the right notes! Needless to say the rest of the meal was to die for! The 20 hour sous vide flank steak was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! And they even custom made a fruity berry drink for my date which was just right - delivered to the table by the bartender herself! Just go here already! read more

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AnnaLena is outstanding. Make a reservation as it books up a couple weeks in advance on weekends. I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said. I've been dining here on quite a few occasions and the chef nails every single dish. From the torn bread, to oysters , mussels, steaks, house made pasta, fish dishes, to fried chicken to salads. They perfect everything with such creativity. The menu changes according to seasons and weekly right now with a set tasting menu. I've posted photos of all the dishes with my review. There was plenty of food for us. I highly recommend starting with a cocktail as the menu is super creative. We had the wine pairing with our meal which was fun also. We got to try wines I would have never selected on my own yet they were really good and enhanced each dish perfectly. Finally the room is super cool. Cool art and decor, great music playing from the turntable, attentive service, there is a reason they continue to win awards here year after year. Note: during covid they are doing take away on Tuesdays! read more

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Came here with my family to celebrate my 50th birthday and I was blown away by the food and top notch service. The food is definitely delicious and unique but hell the quantities are so teeny weeny tiny. I wish I could have just a but more of each course and I would be very happy! Regardless of the size, food is very tasty and I love the service.... Simple don't want to talk attitude but will get whatever you need. To be honest it is very overpriced but because it was my 50th birthday I deserve the best. I probably will never be back unless it was a special occasion but this is one special meal I will remember forever and ever. All the courses were so good and my favourite is the bread and the wagyu but I devoured it all.... Drinks were good too.... Love!!!! Great ambiance and not loud . read more

Very small potions and high price for what it is. Bill was close to $400 for 2 people and we were hungry afterwards. 59$ per person wine pairing but the wine were not that great. This place was recommended to me by a friend but I can't say I would be back. read more

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This is the best restaurant in Vancouver in my opinion. We've tried every top restaurant we could but this one wins for the most interesting and incredible food, amazing ambiance which isn't stuffy despite it being fine dining, and unparalleled service. You need to try this spot if you haven't and actually care about good food. read more

This review is based on their dine out 2019 menu. Excellent value and great tasting food! Started with the torn bread. It is as good as everyone boasts on here. Probably 1000 calories per bite but that is ok!!! Had the fried chicken. Crispy and supple and it came with 3 pieces so that was a great start. I had a chance to taste the beets too. I didn't think it was anything too special but good nonetheless. Main was the server recommended trout. Very good cook on the dish. Some of us in the party thought the beurre blanc was a bit heavy but I thought there was a good amount of acidity to balance it out. Ended with miso chocolate ganache with blood orange sorbet. It was very interesting and tasty. I got a miso taste at the start but it was all chocolate after that. I had a dab at the apple pie. It was tasty and the whole plate worked together very well. Didn't reallly get a sour cream flavour from The sour cream ice cream. Can't wait to go back to try out their other offerings! read more

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Make reservations! I walked in here at 5:30pm and got on the waitlist for one. I had to wait an hour to be seated at the bar. Hostess texted me when the seat was ready so I didn't have to wait outside (there's no room to wait inside). The menu was set so that it's a fixed price of $45 for first course, second course, and dessert. I got chicken for the first course. It was moist and tasty. A good sized portion of chicken. I wish there was more of the pickled vegetables because it went very well with the heavy fried chicken. For the second course I got the trout. This was very delicious. The sauce was so good, and the trout was cooked perfectly. For dessert I got the chocolate miso. This was disappointing. It was two small pieces of brownie on top of a cookie of some sort. I couldn't cut the cookie piece in two so I was forced to eat it in a single bite. The sorbet it came with was just ok. The chatter noise in there was pretty loud, but that's not really the restaurants fault. The bartender was nice even though I didn't order any drinks. The food did take some time to come out, especially the dessert. Overall, I'm happy with the restaurant because the trout was so good. read more

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Holy Hell!! If you love anyone in your life , even if it's just yourself. You have to go here. The food is exquisite. The Drink Devine. The service is unprecedented. Top notch in every way. When you look around the restaurant you will notice little flares of fun and love. Splurge & enjoy. You won't want to leave! read more

Excellent food. I'd go back to have the exact same tasting menu again. I booked the restaurant because I wanted to try the fried chicken dish. Turns out, it was great but probably the most unremarkable thing out of the tasting menu. That means everything else was amazing, not that the chicken was not good. Volume of each course was great, leaving me wanting just a little bit more but full and happy at the end. Interesting balance of great flavors. Wine pairing was excellent - really complemented the dish. Desert game was tops too. I really can't decide what was my favorite. Price was ok, staff were nice. Definitely coming here again when they change up the tasting menu. Only thing I don't like is the acoustics and the loud music and the deafening echo of music and chatter bouncing around the walls. But that's most North American restaurants. read more

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Service was top notch! The server was attentive, thoughtful and passionate about his work. He talked to us about the cocktail he created and recommended great dishes to try. It was my friend's birthday, he took the time to get everyone to sign a hand written bday card and treated us with a complimentary dessert + mini cocktails. His amazing service blew us away, haven't seen this kind of service since The Ritz-Carlton. The only reason why I deducted a star is because the food was too rich. We had mussels, oysters, sable fish and fried chicken. My friend loved the oysters, she thought it was the best oyster she has ever tried! As for the other 3 dishes, we thought they were all too creamy/heavy especially during the summer. I was hoping for some brighter and lighter contrast in the dishes. The sable fish was my favourite, well cooked but the corn succotash was too creamy, which was not complementary to the fish since the fish is already rich and buttery. All in all I would be back because the service was amazing, great atmosphere, very enjoyable experience. read more

AnnaLena - Canadian (New) Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Creative and tasty meal plated on beautiful dinnerware, with excellent service ! The highlights of chapter 60 were the crispy pecorino brussel sprouts and the pork hock with torn bread. In fact, the pork hock velouté with the torn bread was probably the best dish I've eaten over the past 3 years. I was watching the kitchen and house staff, and they worked harmoniously and efficiently, with warm service. A smoothly running machine ! -Dined 1/28/2023 C.Ariz - Bellingham, WA read more

A couple weeks back a group of friends and I had the opportunity to try Anna Lena and I have to be honest I was underwhelmed. While I understand the experience at a restaurant of this reputation will come with caveats our party walked away feeling very disappointed. The restaurant put a lot of effort into presentation and I respect their creativity but nearly every course they put out tasted average. While the servers artfully described each special course, one after another they continued to miss the target. We were polite but simply did not enjoy what made it to the table. And by the end of evening to make the experience worse was we could feel the lackluster care of the staff in addressing what was a visibly unpleasant dining experience. It seemed that they neither cared or were interested. I would have expected some interest in making our experience in the end more palatable but it seemed they lacked the interest. A for effort but a D for execution. No offence to what they were trying to achieve, but for the substantial meal price, we have had better elsewhere. read more

Wasn't the best service we came twice I was expecting more from here. but the food was good.