It’s official Lena is now open for lunch once more…

Tags

buffalo mozzarella, chocolate, chocolate indulgence, chocolate pear, Cocktail, Dan Benzino, Dining, Drinking, East End, EC2, Food, Good Company, Great Atmosphere, Italian, Jazz, London, lunchtime menu, National Theatre, Party Venue, Pasta, perugia chocolate festival, perugina chocolate, Restaurant, romance, Shoreditch, Soul, sun blushed tomatoes, The Swan- Globe Theatre, Time Out London, Unique Style, vanilla ice cream, Wine, Young Musicians, yum yum

So it has been a while, since Lena has opened for lunch – but the time has come for it to  reopen once more and provide you Italian food lovers, with some divine dishes. Lena has put together a fantastic lunchtime menu:

Lunch Menu

2 courses £17.95  or   3 courses £19.95

Cauliflower soup

 shaved Parmigiano, truffle oil. (V)

Buffalo mozzarella

leeks, sun blushed tomatoes. (V)

Pan fried squid

 grilled polenta, tomatoes, caper, olives sauce.

***

Pappardelle

 venison ragu, Sicilian pecorino.

Pan roasted cod

 cherry tomatoes, olives, cockles.

Scotch sirloin tagliata

Chianti jus, rocket, parmesan

***

Tiramisu

coffee, Amaretto soaked savoiardi,

mascarpone & chocolate.

Pear & apple crumble

cinnamon ice-cream

Caffe’ Affogato

 espresso, vanilla ice-cream.

 

***

Menu created by Head Chef Anacleto Baldi Fiorello

All prices include VAT at 20% | A discretionary 12.5% Service Charge is added to all bills

Yesterday, we tried a selection of Lena’s dishes – to make sure they were absolutely perfect. Below are some images of the dishes. Please let us know – what you think of both the dishes and the special lunch time menu!

garlic mash

truffles galoreyum yum yum

Valentines Day @ Lena – Un Gran Bacio al Cioccolato ( A Big Chocolate Kiss)

Tags

baci chocolate, Bands, Bar Nightjar, chocolate, chocolate indulgence, chocolate kisses, chopped hazelnuts, Contemporary Twist, delicious italian food, Drinking, Eating Out, EC2, Entertainment, Evening, Food, food drink and music, Good Company, Great Atmosphere, Italian, Jazz, Live Music, London, National Theatre, Party Venue, Pasta, perugia chocolate festival, perugina chocolate, Restaurant, romance, session musicians, Shoreditch, Soul, Time Out London, Unique Style, valentines day, Wine, Young Musicians

“ The best things in life are either Italian or chocolate” Maria Gloria The Italian Connection

With this in mind as you climb the hilltops of the Tiber valley peeking out above the clouds is the magical beautiful medieval town of Perugia. Home of the famous chocolate delicacy “Baci” – kisses in Italian, and the equally famous Perugia Chocolate Festival.

Thousands of Italians, tourists and chocolate lovers flock there every October. At the centre is the Baci chocolate kisses – Baci means kisses in Italian.

Legend has it that in the early nineteen hundreds Giovanni Buitoni (heir to the Perugina Chocolate factory) and Luisa Spagnolli ( a local confectioner) fell in love, She created a confection of whipped chocolate blended with chopped hazelnuts, topped it with a whole hazelnut and covered it with bittersweet chocolate. As their love had to remain a secret Luisa wrapped love notes around them as the wrapper when she sent them over to Giovanni for inspection.

Eventually they married and grew the business to the famous international confectionery company it is today. The love notes still surround each Baci chocolate.

Synonymous with Italian romance these little delights are still know for the lovers treats not to mention the fact that ancient writings describe chocolate as a powerful aphrodisiac. Who wouldn’t be seduced by it all?

Italians look forward to receiving Baci not only as a chocolate indulgence but for the expression of love, romance and affection that they come with.

After many years the love notes are collectibles and books have been written about them. They have been taken from some of the world’s greatest poems and proverbs. In the modern world there is now even iPhone app showing love transcends time!

Valentines Day @ Lena will ooze romance and will be the perfect location for you to spend time with your loved one. Below is the Valentines day menu (although the other a la carte options are still available!)

This years special menu evokes romance, with dishes that are meant to be shared between lovers – ranging from your aphrodisiac oysters to sharing main dishes. So why not come down and share this special night with the person you love.

This Friday Night @ Lena

Tags

Ashley Kingsley, Bands, Bar Nightjar, Bars, Cocktail, Contemporary Twist, Dan Benzino, delicious italian food, Dining, Drinking, East End, Eating Out, EC2, Entertainment, Evening, Events, Food, food drink and music, Good Company, Great Atmosphere, Italian, Jazz, Live Music, London, National Theatre, Party, Party Venue, Pasta, Restaurant, session musicians, Shoreditch, Soul, The Swan- Globe Theatre, Time Out London, Unique Style, Wine, Young Musicians

Music and food is undoubtedly the way to anyone’s heart… so why not combine the two? Lena, known for its delectable Italian cuisine, will also provide the wonderful accompaniment of the beautiful sounds of Dan Benzino and his pianist Ashley Kingsley this Friday. Why not start the evening with some delicious food and wines, and then head downstairs for a few cheeky cocktails?

Dan Benzino, is an experienced Jazz singer and a regular on the london scene, singing his beautiful songs throughout the Capital. Having previously sung with a jazz trio at the National Theatre foyer, The Swan- Globe Theatre and the Bar Nightjar. His well- regarded pianist, Ashley Kingsley, is regarded as one of the finest session musicians in the country. Kingsley, Beverly Knights official keyboard player will be joining Dan for this very special night of food,drink and music. He has previously played for the likes of Prince, Chris Rea and many more signature names.

Lena restaurant is situated in the heart of Shoreditch – serving delicious Italian food combined with beautiful sounds – what a perfect way to start the weekend?