My partner took me here for a surprise birthday dinner. And when I say I was surprised to see my friends waiting for me..... she really got me!! I was clueless and thought it was a coincidence. Ha! DC has changed so much throughout the years I almost didn't recognize where we were. If you've been around DC awhile you'll remember the OLD Busboys & Poets on K Street. Dlena is right across the street. But the area looks so different. Enough about that tho... She's been bragging about this place since she came with friends. It's somewhat tapas style, but with a Mexican theme. Let's start with the drinks, cuz that's how we roll. That Mercado margarita was a sneaky little devil. At first I was a bit upset because I couldn't taste the alcohol (after all, it's my birthday). But you know what they say about those types of drinks; they sneak up on you and SHE DID! ...got me feeling all warm & happy! It's made with serrano-infused blanco tequila, passion fruit, agave, lime, and hibiscus-rosemary foam. Our server brought us the hibiscus juice so we could taste it. It's refreshing without being too sweet. Anyway, the drink was bangin'! I had another. Secondly, the Maryland Crab Guacamole (yes, you read that right) was amazing! I even looked up the recipe after I left to see if I could make it myself. I ordered the Empanadas de Wagyu, Pulpo al Pastor (octopus tacos), and the seafood (shrimp & Maryland blue crab) enchiladas. The food was good, the tacos tasted FRESH! The crew all loved their food, we ordered various items. And of course they brought me some churros on a "Happy Birthday' platter. Those churros were YUMMY! They tasted like they were stuffed with some sort of cream, but when asked our server relayed they were not. She said, due to the way they're cooked they have that moist center. I could have had more of those! Lastly, they have a little speakeasy downstairs. It appeared to attract a large clientele. The manager told us it was standing room only and once it gets to that point they manage those entering w/1 in 1 out. I'd like to check that out at some point. It was a pretty cool spot. read more

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Recently had a girls night at Dlena and really enjoyed myself. The whole restaurant is a vibe, especially the downstairs lounge which had a live band performing r&b covers. A WHOLE VIBE. For dinner we had the empanadas de wagyu and crab guacamole to start and a couple orders of the short rib tacos and pulpo tacos for the entrees. To my surprise, the crab guacamole was the stand out dish.. Idk what they did but crab and guac did not go together in my mind and I'm so glad my friends talked me into it. Don't skip it. The empanadas were creamy and the meat tender. The short rib tacos had good flavor but the sauces made up for the meat that was a bit dry to me on it's own however, my friends loved it. For the pulpo tacos, I only wish they had more of a char or grilled taste to them! This is def a spot where you can order a bunch of diff things to share amongst the table. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience. The ambiance is very sexy and perfect for a girls night or date night. read more

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Had a great HH here with friends, however HH is exclusively at the bar only and it full by 5:01pm, so we sat at a high top. The margaritas were all phenomenal, especially the cold foam hibiscus one. We shared the pork belly (melts in your mouth), corn empanadas (favorite), guacamole and prawn tacos (divine). Overall we would come back! read more

dLeña - Corn empanadas and prawn tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Was looking forward to trying this restaurant. First of all the service was EXCELLENT. Great waitress and support staff. Decor was nice and comfortable. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to start. The crabmeat guacamole, the empanadas, and the queso fundido. They were all good, but the tortillas were not very good. The entree of waygu steak fajitas was really pricy and not very good. The steak was so so and the vegetables were soggy and bland. And it too came with those tortillas that were like they came out of a bag. Perhaps I was expecting a lot as the reviews were so good, but I honestly wouldn't come back. read more

Absolutely love this space. Beautiful inside, incredible flavors, and really wonderful staff. I enjoy most of the menu. I recommend the crab guacamole, tacos hongos (mushroom), zanahorias rostizadas (carrots), and for the love of God the skirt steak *I recomment you order this medium, it's been prone to overcooking, especially since it's served on a cooking stone . I cannot say this enough: Even if you're not a veggie fan, you MUST order the carrots. They're worth it! The drinks are great, the vibes are great, the location is perfect for a nice walk after eating, and apparently they have live music downstairs...so I'll be back soon. read more

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One of my favorite moody date night places in DC or just a place to come for any night! The Mil Hojas Argentino is to die for! I dream about that sometimes... and the branzino is chefs kiss! read more

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LOVED this place!! It's so hard to get weekend reservations so I came here recently on a Wednesday night--we were seated right away at a high top near the bar. The restaurant is dim-lit and has an intimate ambiance. Food was AMAZING. For appetizers, highly recommend the Maryland Crab Guacamole, Empanadas de Wagyu and Pork Belly--all three were outstanding, well flavored and unique tasting. For entrees, the Medio Pollo Al Carbon (grilled chicken) was okay--the chicken was a bit dry for my preference. The server told us all their food are wood-fire grilled. The Tacos de Short Rib was SO GOOD!! The meat was tender, the chili peanut sauce was interesting (and delicious) and the tortilla pieces gave it a nice crunch. Unfortunately, they don't let you mix-and-match the taco meat options (each dish comes with 3 tacos). In regards to the overall visual dining experience, I will have to say, the restaurant is a bit TOO dim--I couldn't see my food clearly because it was too dark and I had to use flash every time I took a food photo. Looks like they have a full bar! Tried the Tamarindo Margarita--pretty tasty, had a sweet and sour kick to it. For dessert, we got the Mil Hojas de Panqueque Argentino, a crepes dessert--it was good and not as overly sweet as you might expect (which I preferred), but wasn't a fan of the salted caramel ice cream which was way too sweet. Overall, I would love to come back and try more of their dishes! Side note, street parking is hard to find but there is a parking lot across the restaurant for $20. read more

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The food was great. Our waitress was also great. What ruined my experience here was a hostess at the front door who was cold, arrogant, and power crazed. I made an early reservation for 5:30 because it was a business holiday party. I arrived on time with a guest. There were maybe 6 people in the whole restaurant, the hostess says we have to wait at the door for one more person to arrive before we could be seated. Mind you the whole restaurant was empty. No line behind us. There was no waiting area so we were cramped at the front door. Horrible! We finally got seated and when another guest arrived he mentioned, without any provocation that the hostess was cold and not hospitable. He dines out constantly. So fine we eat. We are perfectly respectful, not boisterous and good to our waitress. And then at exactly the 1.75 hour mark the hostess says we need to leave because she has other tables to serve!!!! There was no line at the door!! No one was waiting to be seated,and she asks us to wrap it up!! We protested of course, and we did not rush out. We would have ordered dessert and drinks but we didnt feel welcome there anymore. The waitress was really apologetic. She said she couldn't understand why the hostess sometimes asked her to do that. When we finally left we complained and asked to see the manager. The hostess says she was the gm but the business cards said differently. She was the asst gm come to find out. She was very interested in letting us know she was in charge. We let her know what she did was extremely rude and that she alienated 6 customers. I wrote a letter to the gm. No response. Service is everything. Even though the food was good, the attitude of the hostess ruined our experience. Worst I have seen in years. None of us will ever return there. PS There were 3 people of color in our party. We wondered if there was some discrimination going on. She asked no one else to leave. Just our party. And this was a business thing so nobody was loud or drank too much. Fishy...Foul. I will never return to D'Lena! read more

Went here for my birthday dinner and had a great time! The ambience is perfect and is reminiscent of mexico. My party got seated at a comfy spacious booth. The service could be slightly better as I feel that our server could have done a better job explaining the menu since it was our first time here. Also, if you have a shellfish allergy I would be aware that almost everything on the menu would be off limits for you as they fry most things in the same oil. For a restaurant at this level i thought that was strange. Other than that, the food was cooked to perfection and is definitely worth a try especially for a special event. read more

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Came here for lunch and it's a good deal - 3 course for $28 and they have all the good stuff as options so I recommend! - ceviche: both of our favorites, not too sour and just a perfect mix of fish and veggies/fruita - queso fundido: nothing standout, what you expect - birria tacos: the most amount of beef a taco could hold, super savory and rich - pollo: liked it but nothing standout to me - pastel de elote: tastes like bananas but in a good way, sweet and somewhat savory as well - salted caramel gelato: love the little crunchies they serve with this - churros: perfectly crisp and soft inside read more

We have been to dLeña a few times in the past and always had a great experience. Last Friday was no exception. Great service and great food. There was a nut allergy at our table. Our server made sure to explain what was best to order and what modifications could be made. At one point, their tacos did come out with the peanut sauce but the server was quick to rectify. The manager on duty even came by to apologize and let us know how frustrated the server was about it. One of our favs in the city. Make sure to order the crème brûlée! read more

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DLena, DLena.....This is such an amazing spot for contemporary Latin cuisine and live music. The décor is beautiful, a dress or well curated outfit is highly recommended due to the ambiance. The speakeasy on the bottom floor is open seating, they do not take reservations, in order to get a seat, arrive between 5pm and 6:30pm. The Friday and Saturday night band performs Bossa Nova, they sounded great. For starters we have a traditional house made guacamole with chips. Very good. The Wagyu Steak a la Piedra was delicious, made with a combination of fajita pepper mix. I got medium well, but I felt it was more well done, which was fine because the cuts were juicy and tender. The baked potato was soft and tender I believe they boil it, the sauce tasted like tartar sauce with bacon crumbles on top. The sauce on the potato threw me off, but it wasn't bad. Sorry to say I do not remember the name of my mezcal cocktail, but it was fruity and the presentation in a mini clay pot was very attractive. The expresso crème brûlée is outstanding, a very unique take on this classic dessert. If you love coffee go for it! I highly recommend coming here dining well, enjoying the music and the lovely atmosphere. And get a picture of yourself because the scenery is too sexy to pass up! read more

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Met with a college friend for brunch and it was phenomenal. The bottomless brunch allowed us to select multiple tapas style brunch items to share. The Mexican corn was incredible along with the fruit cocktail. We also orders some fish tacos and mushroom tacos. I think the best selection was the huevos rancheros on a crispy tortilla. It was so flavorful. We both decided to try the mocktails and the mango was incredible. Our food came out very fast and the waiter was so friendly. The decor of the space was so cute and boho chic. read more

First off, our server was amazing! He was so funny and was joking around with us, making the experience 10x better. Everyone was so kind and accommodating. The interior was immaculate. It was giving desert vibes and was extremely clean. The bathrooms were absolutely gorgeous! They were participating in restaurant week when we got there ($35 three course meals per person). It was amazing as we got to try an appetizer, main dish, and a dessert from the menu! The guacamole was fresh and delicious. The chips were also absolutely amazing! The ceviche was a bit salty on its own but paired with the chips, it was a great combination. My friend ordered a passion fruit margarita with a tajin rim which was pleasantly refreshing and sweet! I couldn't taste the alcohol at all which I like. The tacos were 10/10. The meat was perfectly smoky, tender, and juicy. The portion size was also huge! I was so full after three tacos. The desserts were all fantastic and had great flavor combos! My friend got the sorbet which was refreshing and not too sweet. The cheesecake was on the sweeter side but the tart fruits on top balanced it out. The pastel de elote was strangely nutty and sweet. It came with a tart raspberry (or strawberry) jam that perfectly balanced it out. All in all, dLeña was all worth the hype and absolutely delicious! I definitely recommend going during restaurant week for a great deal on your meals! read more

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Great time at dLeña. The service was outstanding and the bartender was excellent. The shareable menu options is perfect as it gives you a chance to try different dishes. I love the empanadas with the wagyu and the steak. The restaurant was buzzing with energy and excitement. The patrons were diverse; young and old; black and white; male and female. Great vibes! read more

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OVERALL: I cannot wait to come back and try their dinner menu. The bottomless brunch was amazing! FOOD: 4 friends and I did the bottomless brunch option for $40 (they offer bottomless food and cocktails for $65, which is a good deal!). We started with the seasonal fruit cocktail which came with a foamy top. It was sour and fruity and everyone loved it (we ordered it twice)! Then we had the Tuna ceviche, cazuela, crispy waffles, grilled street corn, fried chicken and waffles, enfrijoladas (which are bean enchiladas), salmon, churros, and all the available tacos. Everything was delicious! The only thing we didn't 100% love were the tacos because it had pickled onions and that just made everything sweet. They even gave us extra churros to celebrate a birthday. SERVICE: Staff was amazing! A friend is lactose intolerant and informed staff and they were super kind and accommodating. They recommended alternatives and advised her whenever she was going to order something that wasn't obvious lactose-free. VENUE: The restaurant is beautifully decorated. It has an elegant feel to it and I loved the seating because it allowed for privacy among dining groups. It's always packed but the crowd never gets in the way. 10/10 recommend! read more

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The best bottomless brunch I've attended. And it's reasonably priced! Service was amazing. And the ambiance is so beautiful. read more

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My friends and I came for bottomless brunch. Great ambiance, though a little loud (to be expected during a brunch in DC). Food was great and drinks were good. Service started off strong but it could be difficult to order more towards the end. read more

Food was phenomenal and the atmosphere was impeccable. Everything is cooked on a fire grill, so it all has a smoky flavor. We also had the oysters which I loved as well read more

dLeña - Short rib Birria Beef Tacos** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place was sooo good! My friend and I randomly came here after the Christmas market. I learned that they have jazz downstairs so we went and we were luckily able to get a table that night. It was a wait, but you are able to get drinks while you wait. The servers were super sweet and recommended great drinks and food. I loved the ambiance of the location and would def come back whenever I'm back in DC. read more

This is another example of customer experience and how you're treated being a big part of the total vibe. While the staff were on paper technically friendly, there's always this feeling that if you don't have your name on their iPad -- you should be banished from the entryway when it's 5 degrees outside. The food was okay, the drinks meh. I think the vibe would have been better if we weren't sat next to the bussing station for a $100 per person meal. When I came here a year ago, I remember the bar downstairs being amazing and the food was great. So, to be fair it could've been a meh visit this time so I'll tell you what I tell myself, come back again. read more

We had an awful experience. Our server had no interest in trying to check on us and made it very clear they could not accommodate for an allergy (a very common allergy) as soon as we were seated. There was no sense of effort that showed he tried speaking to the manager or the kitchen. Really disappointing and most definitely do not recommend. He should really get some basic hospitality training. Due to his lack of service we could only order 1 drink and an appetizer since he just never tried to put in the effort to make us happy to eat there. read more

Very nice restaurant. We came here for Mother's Day brunch. We were a little disappointed with the food. I feel like they sell the look of the food over the actual taste. I got chicken and waffles. Chicken tastes like it was a frozen chicken tender. Crab guac had too much stuff on it and little guac. It's not bad, but wanted better read more

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Loved the staff the vibe and everything else about this place!!! Some of our party was running late so we were escorted to the downstairs lounge and it was such a vibe!!! The decor was warm and comfy but chic at the same time. We went upstairs for dinner and everything was an experience! The food is full of flavor and just enough. The drinks were great especially if you love tequila. Highly recommended this place to eat or just vibe and drink some cocktails read more

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Wow. Wow. Wow. One of the best meals I've ever had! You MUST get the Maryland crab guacamole (they did not skimp on the crab--or the flavor!!)...you MUST get the queso fundido topped with cecina (comes with incredible sauces, homemade blue corn tortillas, and some gooey, smokey cheese pulls. So satisfyingly delicious!!) ... and you MUST get the Zarandeado (Branzino). Perfection. It was definitely a great way to balance out the night after indulging in the rich fundido. So there ya go--order those, and you'll be more than happy. read more

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food was decent not many vegetarian options to do bottomless. I opted for the mushroom tacos and street corn without bacon. I wish they integrated a few more vegetarian options so I could do bottomless since it was such a good deal. Ambience was really nice. Very fancy service wasn't entirely the best. We were the first ones to arrive at the restaurant yet the last to be served in the side of the room we were in. read more

I really liked Dlena. The service was amazing and the staff was really lovely and accommodating. They moved our reservation a full 45 minutes when half our party was running late (it was a less busy Wednesday, don't try this on a Saturday!) They have a fun happy hour with food and great margaritas. Their other drinks are special though. I had the negroni norte. So good. They also have a cool and interesting wine by the glass list. The food is a little pricey, but it's higher end. This isn't Tex-Mex. Everything was delicious. I will definitely be back. They were also sweet to bring out birthday churros. read more

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DLeña had such a fantastic atmosphere as soon as you walk in. I was super happy to have been served my a great waiter & ordered some delectable food. I got their tacos and crab cakes. Both had exquisite taste and flavor. The drinks were also great! They have a speakeasy downstairs that had a live band playing. I miss this place! read more

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I've been here both for brunch and at the chef's table dining experience. The dining experience with the chef was absolutely incredible and one of the best dining experiences I have been a part of. The brunch was affordable and they tailored the order so that they brought out the food to ensure that it went in an order that made sense for the palate. I'd definitely come back for their other meals so I can try more! read more

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First time going to this establishment and it most definitely lived up to the hype. Came for my birthday and the food was amazing. I did the express lunch (chipotle chicken Empandas, king salmon, and 2 scoops of gelato ice cream). Everything was absolutely exceptional. Special S/O to my server Kristyana who was absolutely amazing. Super sweet, kind and surprised me with a birthday dessert as well. Her service was amazing and she made the start to my birthday exceptional. Lastly, the ambiance is very warm, soothing, comforting and beautiful aesthetic. 10/10 would definitely recommend! read more

I don't know how I've never left a review for the spot because this is my favorite restaurant in DC. I would argue that their oysters are one of the best bites you can get in DC. They are a must have whenever I visit here because of the combinations of stuff they put on top is incredible. I also love their pork belly we got a double portion and it's so good and the little fresh greens they put with it really balances out the fatty savoriness. I love the pork shank and got a side of the loaded, baked potato, which don't sleep on this because it is actually incredible the cheese sauce and the little crispy pork belly bits are so good. I love the pork shank because it comes with a bunch of different sauces, falls right off the bone and is an incredible bite. I didn't get a photo, but I tried their Agua Fresca and they were so good. I love when places have great mock cocktail options. I think the watermelon one was my favorite with the Horchata being second the Horchata had a nice nutty flavor which I hadn't tasted before and was so fresh read more

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holy... HELL... this meal was INSANE! So many different flavors every dish was PHENOMENAL. I may dream about this, guacamole was yummy very fresh both chips and guac, the grilled oysters with caviar and other fancy things was SO YUMMY so much flavor, the pork belly was cooked PERFECTLY and whatever that sauce and greens mix was, was the perfect addition, and finally... the grand finale, the Tomahawk Steak - ABSOLUTELY INSANE 32 ounces of steak made for 2 that steak will be my top steak as of right now. We chose the roasted corn and baked potato, paired super well, but I tried to not eat it with the steak bc the steak needed to be appreciated on its own! If ur in the DC area you gotta check this place out - forgot my wallet at home so I didn't get a drink but I'm sure they're incredible read more

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The only thing that wasn't great was the amount of time we waited before being seated, but to be fair we did not have a reservation. Otherwise, the food, drinks, and service were wonderful. Very lively and beautiful environment read more

If I could give this place more stars, I would. My friends & I sat at the bar as walk-ins, although we lucked out with the last 3 available spots. Service for both food & drinks was pretty fast even though it was a busy Friday night. (This was early July 2024). I got the Short Rib al Carbon -- it was THE most tender, fall-of-the bone that I've ever had. I liked that there were different salsas or salt pairings that you could make a wrap with. My friends got the chips & traditional guacamole, Lamb Shank Birria Style, and the Hot Stone Wagyu (not pictured, sorry) and gave them 5 stars, as well. We split all 3 dessert options and were split between loving the crème brûlée or honey vanilla cheesecake the most, though my favorite was shockingly the former. The Mil Hojas Argentino was, in my opinion, so-so. Would love to come back here for a date night or to check out the lounge. read more

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The food was very tasty. The ambiance was very nice and there was a jazz singer as well. The service was also simple and nice. read more

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The cocktails were spicy, the food was delish and the ambiance is a whole vibe. The Maryland Crab Guacamole is out of this world, I repeat, OUT OF THIS WORLD!! The Empanadas Wagyu was super cheesy and could've used less cheese and more meat would've been nice but awesome nonetheless. read more

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Very good food, the queso fundido was amazing. There are a lot of good options. The restaurant looks very upscale. read more

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

We went here as a group of three on Cinco de Mayo - the place was packed inside and out! (duh... I should have expected that... DC is crawling on this margarita-forward holiday and we did book 2 months in advance), but that didn't stop dLeña's staff from delivering excellent service, food and drinks! I was honestly just impressed with how smoothly everything was running on such a packed night! Kudos to that entire team :) Even with the packed house, they didn't hurry us along (which is evident in my photos where the room gets slowly darker until it is markedly nightfall in my dessert pic!) and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, ordering several rounds of their OUT.OF.THIS.WORLD good Habanero Pepita Salsa. We ordered three rounds... it was that good! I am really picky about my salsa, it has to have good flavor but a decent spice level with the right consistency - not too watery you can't hold it on a chip and not so chunky it feels like you are eating diced tomatoes right out of a can. This stuff hit all the right notes! That is probably enough of me gushing about salsa, but hey, it would be a mistake to miss it! The rest of the meal was just a good, delivering excellent flavor with fresh, quality ingredients. I feel like a glutton saying it, but we ate for over 3 hours and walked away full, satisfied but not sluggish. I think that's a testament to the quality of the dishes served at dLena. Our group was divided on whether the Hot Stone Wagyu or Wagyu Beef Tiradito was better - both D.E.lish, but my vote goes to the Tiradito... if you are unsure, a wise man once told me "¿Por qué no los dos?" I thoroughly enjoyed my enchiladas and though I was slowing down for the dessert course, I somehow powered through :) I mean, it was hard to stop gobbling down that silky, sweet and salty caramel ice cream! We will be back, specifically to check out their underground bar with live music. I can't wait :) Tip: If you get one of their wood-fired steaks, skip the hot plate. Or if you want that sizzle as your gorgeous steak is set before your, order it one degree rarer than you usually do. It continues to cook as you are eating it (because, well, the plate is hot) and though we ordered the steak medium rare, it was definitely heading towards medium-well by the last few pieces. read more

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dLeña was such a wonderful experience and I was not expecting the food to get this great.... Went to dLeña on a Sunday and the place has just one of the best ambiances. Felt like I am in Miami for some reason and I have never even been there. Started with Ceviche and it was one of the most fresh Ceviches I have had in any place in the DMV. Ordered the Branzino for myself and Diablo Tiger Prawns for my guest. The food quantity was great. They definitely don't skip on giving you food in the name of fine dining experience. I have to give dLeña its flowers for that. The food was excellent and so flavorful. I am planning another visit real soon. The service was excellent. Water was being refilled like every minute. Even though I am self sufficient type of person who generally doesn't like service staff to fill my glass with a beverage I really appreciate that. We finished with tea and our sever presented us options in a very premium box full of different types of teas. There is an amazing lounge in the bottom floor with live music which is amazing. This is a 5/5 place a must visit for everyone! read more

Fantastic happy hour. You have to get there early to get a spot at the bar but the happy hour deals are excellent. $7 margaritas and $6 snacks. I got the barbacoa tacos and truffle fries. I recommend both but the tacos were far superior. The service was also very kind and attentive and the ambiance was very authentic. The barbacoa tacos do have a delicious spice to them if you are sensitive to spice then it will likely be too much. The truffle fries had a yellow dressing in them I forgot to ask what it was. It looks like mustard but was not. The carajillo crème brûlée was also excellent. It's espresso with a layer of liquor on top. The mercardo margarita had a slight spice to it but not too much at all. If anything I asked the. Attended to make it a little less sweet but it was by no means overly sweet. I just like a dryer more savory margarita. I hear they also have a great bottomless brunch I plan on checking out. read more

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