Our short visit to T.O. and we promised ourselves we were making time to visit... Have always admired the decor and look from outside, and always a busy place:) So we reserved dinner (7:45) and were so excited to try.
From the moment we entered the staff were all SO welcoming (offered to take our coats) and sat us promptly ~ this is when we quickly met our server, krin (and jess assisted) WOW on friendly:) so helpful on menu and drinks and recommendations:)
I highly recommend the sangria (hints of cinnamon and xmas spices with blueberries and orange slices) so delicious!!! Hubby had their Lena bacon burger - wonderful and very tasteful with a side of frites:):):) make sure you are hungry - as its a very full meal. I had the Beef Coulotte Steak (rump beef). I mean it when i say this..... I have NEVER EVER had a better steak!!!! If i could rate this a 10 star i would - trust me on this. Cooked to total perfection (TOTALLY perfect!) Served in in a jus sauce (delish) with onions and very large serving of frites with side of dip.
DO NOT MISS this meal, it is a MUST:)
From the moment we entered ambience, friendliness, food and drinks and latin music - it was a perfect dinner out on a perfect visit to Toronto:)
To Chef.... (and team), THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - for your attention to such detail and perfection!!!! Your meals were AMAZING! Looking forward to our next visit:)
Michelle & Bob Craig Barrie
Rosanne Wysocki
Brunch was excellently prepared with care,and the ingredients fresh and delicious. Wonderful meal!
Sarah Phu
I visited Leña for the first time for brunch over the holidays, with some friends, eager to experience the vibrant decor and the positive reviews. Unfortunately, while the ambiance certainly lived up to the hype, the food didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Leña’s menu showcases South American cooking, with Spanish and Italian influences. The standout of the meal was undoubtedly the Leña Green Juice, as it was refreshing and well-balanced in flavor. The Noqui was overall tasty, and the mashed potatoes accompanying the short ribs were also quite good. That said, the other dishes my friends and I ordered fell short of what I was hoping for, and I feel has room for improvement.
As for the service, while the staff was friendly and greeted us warmly, the overall experience was less than stellar. Service was a bit slow, and our server didn’t do the best job at keeping our water glasses full, even though the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy at the time.
Reservations can be made easily through OpenTable, and the restaurant offers Happy Hour specials from Monday to Saturday, 2:30–6:00 pm.
Maureen Krelove
Lovely dinner at Lena!! Went for a girls dinner and had the best food, drinks, and service. Everything was delicious - ordered the empanadas, steak + fries, and a ravioli type dish. Great happy hour drinks, too! Such a pretty location!
Jamil Shariff
Wonderful South American fusion cuisine. The steak dish with chimichurri is delicious, as are the Patatas Bravas. Have been there for both dinner (Valentine's day) and breakfast (informal anniversary celebration). Most recently, since we can't have pork, the chef was willing to accommodate by modifying the Full Gaucho breakfast with a creative and delicious vegetable spread including interesting purple cauliflower.
Joanna Moss
(Visit Dec 7, 2024) Went for a dinner with my friend. There was issues with transit and we thought we were going to be late. We called ahead and they were good to move forward our reservation 30 mins. We arrived faster than expected, were seated in the requested area (upper platform) and then no one spoke to us for about 15 mins. No waiter approached us, no one got us menus or offered us waters.
When waitstaff finally came, we placed our appetizer and entree order all at once, each ordered an alcoholic drink, and then ordered dessert after that. I had a deal with my credit card where I would be reimbursed for up to $200 worth of spending on our meal, so we weren't conservative in our ordering. We got 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and two desserts between the two of us.
The food was ok. The steak was the real heavy lifter in the meal. It was incredible! Juicy and tender. Everything was good but not legendary. The prices seemed decent, although for being one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, I think we had higher hopes for the food.
Our experience with the waitstaff was the real issue we encountered. We arrived at 7pm, so the restaurant was busy but not crazy. There was an event going on downstairs (no idea if that would have made a difference). But, several times throughout our meal, we had to stop staff and ask for things (new napkin, more water, dessert menu) because we staff were not stopping at our table. The real issue came at the end of our meal when I asked for the leftovers to be placed in a take home container. The waiter left with my food and then never came back. The bill was provided and I asked about my food. Finally the waiter reappeared and apologized that the food had been thrown out and they were remaking both entrees fully and would repackage then for me, which they did after some time. Along with the inattentive waitstaff and the delays this caused, it made for a lackluster time. Staff were kind and nice but my friend, and I appreciate them doing right by me in remaking the entrees they tossed, but my friend and I probably wont go there again.
Vince Johnston
Great restaurant. Stopped in while Christmas shopping. We were between lunch and dinner so the menu was limited but the staff were awesome and accommodating with our meals. I was impressed with the flexibility they had in messing with the menu items to accommodate my Celiac diet. Oh and the cocktails are top drawer baby... Top drawer.
A Salam
A couple of weeks ago, we had brunch at Lena, and it turned out to be a truly refreshing experience. While it’s undeniably on the pricier side, it’s one of the most worthwhile restaurants where you can use your Amex dining credits. The quality and flavors made every dollar worth it.
The kids absolutely loved the churros, which were a big hit. The empanadas were flavorful and perfectly cooked, setting the tone for the rest of the meal. One of the highlights, as suggested by the staff, was the short ribs—a pleasant surprise that didn’t disappoint. The steak, on the other hand, was just average and didn’t stand out as much as the other dishes.
To wrap it up, the desserts were delightful, rounding off the meal on a sweet and satisfying note. Lena is definitely a spot we’d return to for a special occasion or simply when we want a truly enjoyable brunch experience.
Disha Sharma
As highlighted by many reviews earlier, the food does need a lot of improvement! It has no taste, and doesn’t look appealing at all! I thought of giving it one last chance by ordering desserts in the end and got churros and alfajores. Let’s just say I’ve had much better churros for much less than what I paid here! I feel like I wasted my money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Thomas Lee
There was coffee on the menu but it was never served or offered
My husband and I dined here on Friday and it was a lovely experience. Rachel, our server, was very knowledgeable about the menu items and offered great service. We had the fried cauliflower, flat iron steak, and churros. Everything was delicious and we would 100% go again!
Vegetarian options: The fried cauliflower is a delicious vegetarian option - I'm not vegetarian but I opted for one of the vegetarian options because it looked so tasty!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Churros and Chocolate, Fries
Thalia Chand
Great spot and interior. Food and drinks were underwhelming. It was a 50/50 with some dishes being pretty good and some being not that great. Panna cotta was not set properly or needed more gelatin but tasted good. Empanadas were not that great. Barely any meat inside. Cevicha was awesome! Burger and fries and gnocchi were ok. Cocktails are ok. I think this side of town is just tired. Sticking to tjr west end.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Kunal Maniya
Attended a work event. This restaurant has an excellent interior. The food we tried was delicious and they have awesome service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Greg Mottoo
So at first look this place look amazing classy. You sit down your excited then I order appetizer and 2 meals. If you order anything with meat you will stare at your plate and wonder if they forgot it?? Then the bill come and it was 170 with tip. Food was bland. I could make everything they served but better and for have that price with way more on a plate.. rip off .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Small Plates
Elaine S
My daughter and I had a fantastic dinner. Our server was amazing....very helpful and welcoming. We shared a variety of apps which were all unique and delicious.
Visit: friday Dec.30, 2022 for dinner & drinks
Our short visit to T.O. and we promised ourselves we were making time to visit...
Have always admired the decor and look from outside, and always a busy place:)
So we reserved dinner (7:45) and were so excited to try.
From the moment we entered the staff were all SO welcoming (offered to take our coats) and sat us promptly ~ this is when we quickly met our server, krin (and jess assisted) WOW on friendly:) so helpful on menu and drinks and recommendations:)
I highly recommend the sangria (hints of cinnamon and xmas spices with blueberries and orange slices) so delicious!!!
Hubby had their Lena bacon burger - wonderful and very tasteful with a side of frites:):):) make sure you are hungry - as its a very full meal.
I had the Beef Coulotte Steak (rump beef).
I mean it when i say this..... I have NEVER EVER had a better steak!!!!
If i could rate this a 10 star i would - trust me on this. Cooked to total perfection (TOTALLY perfect!) Served in in a jus sauce (delish) with onions and very large serving of frites with side of dip.
DO NOT MISS this meal, it is a MUST:)
From the moment we entered ambience, friendliness, food and drinks and latin music - it was a perfect dinner out on a perfect visit to Toronto:)
To Chef.... (and team), THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - for your attention to such detail and perfection!!!! Your meals were AMAZING!
Looking forward to our next visit:)
Michelle & Bob Craig
Barrie
Brunch was excellently prepared with care,and the ingredients fresh and delicious. Wonderful meal!
I visited Leña for the first time for brunch over the holidays, with some friends, eager to experience the vibrant decor and the positive reviews. Unfortunately, while the ambiance certainly lived up to the hype, the food didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Leña’s menu showcases South American cooking, with Spanish and Italian influences. The standout of the meal was undoubtedly the Leña Green Juice, as it was refreshing and well-balanced in flavor. The Noqui was overall tasty, and the mashed potatoes accompanying the short ribs were also quite good. That said, the other dishes my friends and I ordered fell short of what I was hoping for, and I feel has room for improvement.
As for the service, while the staff was friendly and greeted us warmly, the overall experience was less than stellar. Service was a bit slow, and our server didn’t do the best job at keeping our water glasses full, even though the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy at the time.
Reservations can be made easily through OpenTable, and the restaurant offers Happy Hour specials from Monday to Saturday, 2:30–6:00 pm.
Lovely dinner at Lena!! Went for a girls dinner and had the best food, drinks, and service. Everything was delicious - ordered the empanadas, steak + fries, and a ravioli type dish. Great happy hour drinks, too! Such a pretty location!
Wonderful South American fusion cuisine. The steak dish with chimichurri is delicious, as are the Patatas Bravas. Have been there for both dinner (Valentine's day) and breakfast (informal anniversary celebration). Most recently, since we can't have pork, the chef was willing to accommodate by modifying the Full Gaucho breakfast with a creative and delicious vegetable spread including interesting purple cauliflower.
(Visit Dec 7, 2024)
Went for a dinner with my friend. There was issues with transit and we thought we were going to be late. We called ahead and they were good to move forward our reservation 30 mins. We arrived faster than expected, were seated in the requested area (upper platform) and then no one spoke to us for about 15 mins. No waiter approached us, no one got us menus or offered us waters.
When waitstaff finally came, we placed our appetizer and entree order all at once, each ordered an alcoholic drink, and then ordered dessert after that. I had a deal with my credit card where I would be reimbursed for up to $200 worth of spending on our meal, so we weren't conservative in our ordering. We got 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and two desserts between the two of us.
The food was ok. The steak was the real heavy lifter in the meal. It was incredible! Juicy and tender. Everything was good but not legendary. The prices seemed decent, although for being one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, I think we had higher hopes for the food.
Our experience with the waitstaff was the real issue we encountered. We arrived at 7pm, so the restaurant was busy but not crazy. There was an event going on downstairs (no idea if that would have made a difference). But, several times throughout our meal, we had to stop staff and ask for things (new napkin, more water, dessert menu) because we staff were not stopping at our table. The real issue came at the end of our meal when I asked for the leftovers to be placed in a take home container. The waiter left with my food and then never came back. The bill was provided and I asked about my food. Finally the waiter reappeared and apologized that the food had been thrown out and they were remaking both entrees fully and would repackage then for me, which they did after some time. Along with the inattentive waitstaff and the delays this caused, it made for a lackluster time. Staff were kind and nice but my friend, and I appreciate them doing right by me in remaking the entrees they tossed, but my friend and I probably wont go there again.
Great restaurant. Stopped in while Christmas shopping. We were between lunch and dinner so the menu was limited but the staff were awesome and accommodating with our meals. I was impressed with the flexibility they had in messing with the menu items to accommodate my Celiac diet. Oh and the cocktails are top drawer baby... Top drawer.
A couple of weeks ago, we had brunch at Lena, and it turned out to be a truly refreshing experience. While it’s undeniably on the pricier side, it’s one of the most worthwhile restaurants where you can use your Amex dining credits. The quality and flavors made every dollar worth it.
The kids absolutely loved the churros, which were a big hit. The empanadas were flavorful and perfectly cooked, setting the tone for the rest of the meal. One of the highlights, as suggested by the staff, was the short ribs—a pleasant surprise that didn’t disappoint. The steak, on the other hand, was just average and didn’t stand out as much as the other dishes.
To wrap it up, the desserts were delightful, rounding off the meal on a sweet and satisfying note. Lena is definitely a spot we’d return to for a special occasion or simply when we want a truly enjoyable brunch experience.
As highlighted by many reviews earlier, the food does need a lot of improvement! It has no taste, and doesn’t look appealing at all! I thought of giving it one last chance by ordering desserts in the end and got churros and alfajores. Let’s just say I’ve had much better churros for much less than what I paid here!
I feel like I wasted my money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
There was coffee on the menu but it was never served or offered
Parking: Take ttc
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I dined here on Friday and it was a lovely experience. Rachel, our server, was very knowledgeable about the menu items and offered great service. We had the fried cauliflower, flat iron steak, and churros. Everything was delicious and we would 100% go again!
Vegetarian options: The fried cauliflower is a delicious vegetarian option - I'm not vegetarian but I opted for one of the vegetarian options because it looked so tasty!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Churros and Chocolate, Fries
Great spot and interior. Food and drinks were underwhelming. It was a 50/50 with some dishes being pretty good and some being not that great. Panna cotta was not set properly or needed more gelatin but tasted good. Empanadas were not that great. Barely any meat inside. Cevicha was awesome! Burger and fries and gnocchi were ok. Cocktails are ok. I think this side of town is just tired. Sticking to tjr west end.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Attended a work event. This restaurant has an excellent interior. The food we tried was delicious and they have awesome service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
So at first look this place look amazing classy. You sit down your excited then I order appetizer and 2 meals. If you order anything with meat you will stare at your plate and wonder if they forgot it?? Then the bill come and it was 170 with tip. Food was bland. I could make everything they served but better and for have that price with way more on a plate.. rip off .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Seafood, Small Plates
My daughter and I had a fantastic dinner. Our server was amazing....very helpful and welcoming. We shared a variety of apps which were all unique and delicious.
We look forward to returning to Leña!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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