Lena

I wish I had read the reviews before making a booking via Groupon what was supposed to be dinner for two at a value of £77 as a birthday present for my Italian partner. How a Spanish manager can claim this to be an Italian restaurant is a joke! Two thirds of the menu are not Italian food, the bread served was not typical Italian and the biscuit served with the coffee was the wrong type as well. The mains had very little flavour and there really was not much to it. When we looked at the overpriced menu, we quickly did the maths and that it would no way add up to £77. We pointed this out to the manager asking how he can mislead customers into getting a good deal with the voucher when they are ripped off but simple maths were obviously not his forte. The staff were untrained and totally incompetent. We left very unhappy and still hungry and needless to say will not return.
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Veronika
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, June 16, 2011

This is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a review of a restaurant but the dreadful service and poor quality of food at I experienced dining in Lena last night was some of the worst I've ever had.

The staff left us waiting for nearly 50 minutes after taking our order before serving our food - I had the padella which was basically a bowl of badly cooked rubbery seafood- they then had the nerve to start clearing our plates as some of our party of five were still eating. Then after waiting 20 minutes to order desserts we were left with the dirty plates lying in front of us for the same time again !

The waitress was rude surly and aggressive when we asked her to remove the 16 % service charge from the menu ( Taking the view that the blame for this shambles lies firmly with the management we actually did give her a tip of 12% which she said meant nothing to her !!) .

I could go on and on but to put it simply absolutely awful place avoid at all costs
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0 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, May 05, 2011

Having read previous reviews of Lena Restaurant online, it seems most people, who I presume were in smaller groups, enjoyed themselves. However, I would certainly not recommend a large booking at this restaurant. They are unfortunately complete and utter amateurs when it comes to serving a group larger than 4-5.

Of course, I am not simply referring to the fact the food did not arrive at the same time (although it didn't). The food whilst delicious, comes in microscopic portions (let me clarify - as a petite size 8 it is not gluttony that is skewing my view of this portion size!)). For a £12 pasta dish I was served 4 small pieces of ravioli. When I tried to (politely) complain that I didn't realise the portions would be so small at such a cost, the management were not only hostile but extremely rude to me and my party. They were clearly more concerned with lining their own pockets than providing outstanding customer satisfaction. As I am only 25 they obviously felt that they could speak to me this way. Sadly, they did not realise that I used to manage a silver service events centre in Australia, serving up to 100-500 people a night, and I would never have dared to speak to my customers in such a manner.

Even more audacious, was the fact that they are clearly not a popular eating spot for lunch (the restaurant was completely empty) and should have been grateful for some custom. It seems this restaurant which, for all it's glamour and mirrors, cannot hide the transparent nature of its staff.

The food left a pleasant taste, but the service was the bitter aftertaste.
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1 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, April 16, 2011

Went to Lena on the 16th of February for dinner and got the 50% off food offer. I suppose that makes it harder to complain but the bill still came up to £60 for a beer, a glass of wine, two starters and two mains. I know that is not expensive for london prices but had I paid £100 for the fully priced meal, I would have gone home absolutely furious. The food is oversalted and generally not very impressive, we left thinking it was "ok". Nice decor, slow unenthusiastic service and just ok food.
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Potta
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Monday, February 21, 2011

This was certainly a case of mistakenly judging the book by its cover. The decor is great and I must say the jazz band performing in the bar were very good indeed and the staff even looked the part (but behaved like amateurs).

Upon arrival our table was not ready (okay fair enough) and then we were left in the bar and forgotten about for 25 minutes until I sought out the waiter. Wasn't too impressed with the wine list. They have nicer wine in my local pub.

Anti pasti was a joke - over salted olives that were akin to spooning balls of salt into your mouth alongside soggy salted mushrooms possibly from a can. Not a pleasant combo.

They were very slow to take our order and I was insulted that the "langoustine" that was supposed to be served with the risotto starter was nothing more than a couple of king prawns. The accompanying clams that were supposed to make up the dish had "sold out" and were hastily replaced with unwashed gritty and over-cooked mussels. Scallops starter had also "sold out" which meant we had to change our order.

The mains were very average - venison was well cooked but my over elaborate polenta "cake" was a polenta brick. Embarrassing that they even served it on a plate. Jus was thin and watery.

The Steak dish was served with the afore mentioned soggy salted muchrooms possibly from a can. They present their steaks better in weatherspoons.

There was an unnecessary 30 minute wait between courses (including desert). Since when do restaurants keep people waiting 30 minutes for desert?

All in all an absolute shocker. Would not recommend this place to anyone for a romantic meal. There are far more down to earth Italian restaurants to chose from and far more honest places to eat in east London
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jammin - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Oh dear :-/ ....my bosses just returned after their first visit to this restaurant for a business lunch with clients, it is a relatively new restaurant and close to our office so thought we would give it a try, they were the only people in the restaurant this entire lunchtime, so one may have thought this would mean speedy service, however, they waited well over 45 mins for their meals and the food was mediocre at best, the waiter spilt coffee into the saucer when serving and just left it did not replace, disappointing and expensive, will not be going back.
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PA
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Female diners beware! I came here for a friend's birthday and was so disappointed by the whole experience that I would not come back to Lena's even if you paid me.

Before we get onto the food, the service is horrendous! Restaurant's manager treated us in such an appalling manner that we were left in tears, reeling from the experience. Upon leaving the restaurant, having spent more than 2.5 hours waiting for our mediocre and overpriced food, I was told by the snobby maître d to get our coats ourselves from the cloak room. When I complained to the manager about the poor level of customer care, he hurled so much abuse at me that made me question his level of education.

If you can avoid this restaurant, do at all costs! There are too many other, better restaurants in London that serve good food and know a thing or two about, dare I say, customer care.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, November 28, 2010

Went to the lovely lena last night! nice and busy with a great atmosphere! the veal ragu was divine and perfectly portioned. love love love the rosemary potatoes and broccoli which are so resonably priced! going back again and definatley have my eye on their chicken wrapped in pancetta ! would definatley recommend it for bubbly and authenetic italian evening out!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 12, 2010

Pleasantly surprised - much better than expected.

They managed to make my boring salad starter really tasty, and my veal was excellent.

Hub's fish and soup both good.

Extremely lovely maitre'd who has a real way about him and kept us amused without being annoying or overbearing.

Be careful if you go on the special offer - we had the 50% off but he said that wasn't supposed to be for the A La Carte (luckily we had the email confirmation which showed very clearly it said it WAS for A La Carte). He was very nice about it but just be careful.

Recommended, and we'll be back.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, August 08, 2010

Visited Lena last Friday (16th August) with a group of 14 work colleagues for our Summer party... We work nearby on Curtain Road, and were given a fantastic long table by the window. Would highly recommend for corporate entertainment.

The food and service was exceptional, and to be honest you'd pay a lot more in the West End for the sheer quality of the food, and the calming and serene ambience of the restaurant.

Price-wise, Lena has a £14 lunch option for those on a budget... which is fantastic value. And the a la carte menu will certainly not break the bank either for taking the wife, girlfriend or bit on the side! ;)

The staff were spot on with service, and the veal ragu is to die for... Just promise me one thing, that you leave some space for the desserts, as I think you'd struggle to find a better selection in London. Go for the Tiramisu, probably the best I've ever had...

Good work Lena! Absolute gem in the heart of Shoreditch!
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Dan
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 20, 2010