I had booked the restaurant two weeks before going as I have a broken leg and needed to be sure of the booking and the location of the table. We turned up and they said that there was no booking under my name, despite the fact that I'd had a five minute conversation with the person taking the original booking... Not a good start. We then had to ask if they had another table which luckily they did. They took ages to take our drinks order and the cheapest rose on the menu is frankly disgusting - don't order it! Then they took an hour and a half to come and take our food order....When we asked for the bill, they had snuck a £1 donation in within the rest of the food items. Wouldn't have a problem donating but it should have been notified to us or been at the end of the bill. Food was really lovely, dessert were delicious, cocktails were so-so, wine was below standard but service was absolutely rubbish. Would not be going there again.

great atmosphere, great food. the staff were polite and accommodating and made our night really enjoyable. we also sampled the cocktails in the downstairs bar which were fantastic and great value. the live music added to the ambience and made more a relaxed and entertaining evening! we will definitely we going back.

Had dinner at Lena on Saturday night and all I can say is the food was great, the service was swift and friendly and my wife and I had a fabulous time. After dinner we moved downstairs to the bar for cocktails and to take in the free live music which just topped everything off nicely. Loved it! I am going to go back and book a table next month to celebrate my birthday in style! Strongly recommended.

Boring and pretty expensive food, rude staff and noisy environment. Definitely not coming back.

Had an excellent night at Lena starting with the welcome from the good-looking host and followed through with the authentic Italian food. Having recently returned from a weekend in Sicily I can easily say this food is on par if not better with that which I haev eaten in Italy. Will definitely return.

I was looking for a restaurant near Angel and came across Lena on the web. As I had never been before and was booking for a special occasion I was nervous about what to expect. I didn't need to be - the food was simply delicious and the staff friendly and welcoming. It was bustling the night we went and there was a great atmosphere, even without the live music they usually have on Saturday. Thoroughly recommended!

I don't normally write reviews of restaurants but our dinner at Lena's was really, really bad.

The staff left us waiting for a long time after taking our order before serving our food. The food was ok in my opinion but all 3 other guests in my group disagreed and were not happy at all.

What really annoys me the most was the male waiter wearing pink nail-polish. Very rude and he had no manners whatsoever. Other staff in the restaurant were exactly the same.
We had a deal through Groupon and nowhere was it mentioned that on top of the ridiculously expensive prices we still had to pay a service charge which was ridiculous. When we asked them to take it off the bill the waiter got even more rude. In the end we gave him the money (not me since I would not have given anything but would have instead walked out!) He still had the cheek to say he didn't care if you come back or not since he didn't care.

I could go on and on but to put it simply absolutely awful place avoid at all costs. They will be bankrupt soon with this kind of behaviour for sure!

My friend and I went there last evening on a 'Groupon' offer and I don't think will shall ever return!
First glance it looked very pretty with its white and green seating but the green seating is in a diabolical state it has so many stains it was almost impossible to spot a clean bit,this could be so easily solved by getting it steam cleaned or even re-covered,staff should not expect customers to be happy to be seated on stains.
The ham hock I had was lovely as was my friends squid salad,pork belly was also nice,but the desserts were tasteless even though mine cost £7.50 !
They tried to make us pay a 'groupon' service charge of almost £10 and another for the drinks and desserts which was almost a fiver,so We asked for service charges to be removed but the head guy told us we had to pay it so I put him straight by telling him that it was optional and we would be leaving a cash tip and he asked us if we would be leaving more than £10 !! I said we will leave what we like lol
There is no way I am going to leave almost £15 in service for just over an hour in a restaurant when I have been given a stained seat to sit on.
So we left £1.00 and the service wasn't even worth that !!
We then found the 'hoxton bar&grill' over the road which was different class, absolutely buzzing with all ages.

Visited Lena recently and will not ever be going back. Nearly an hour for starters - mussels in dishwater and an absolute age for mains - uncooked chicken. Give this place a wide berth - trying to punch miles above its weight

It took around five minutes for us to be seated which was a while considering they clearly had tables free, but acceptable as we did not have a reservation.

The restaurant was rather noisy, and the large size of the tables made it difficult to talk without raising our voices to hear each other over the loud music and other diners also struggling to make themselves heard. The maitre d' also insisted on keeping the outside door open which made our seating position drafty.

Bread and oil was brought to our table while we made our menu selections - the bread was stale. I assumed it to be an oversight and didn't think too much of it.

It took quite a long time after we had clearly made our choices for our order to be taken. I ordered Beef carpaccio with asparagus, lambs lettuce and dijon mustard sauce. My fiance ordered scallops with Pancetta. My starter was very good, although rather heavy on the dijon but my fiance's scallops were overcooked - not really what you expect from a £14.50 starter.

After finishing our starter it took around 40 minutes for our main course to arrive. I ordered Lena's Seafood Padelle with Garlic bread and my fiance ordered a truffle pasta dish.

My dish was extremely poor. All the seafood was well overcooked and the derisory drizzle of liquid in the bottom was virtually flavourless. The 'Garlic' bread was in fact simply stale bread which had griddle lines burned into it - so the flavour was simply soot and stale bread.

The truffle pasta was even worse. It smelled like sewage and tasted truly offensive. Even if feculence was the flavour the chef was going for, the pasta itself was very overcooked, stodgy and incredibly greasy. It literally left a coating of grease in our mouths. £18!

After sending the food back, we noted that the people on the table next to us also agreed but had not had the nerve to complain then did so, only to be met with resistance by the manager.

Truly terrible. Contracting leprosy would have been mo

Poor food served with a side of abuse

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, restaurant's manager, Alex in particular, treated us in such an appalling manner which left us 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 customer care, he hurled so much abuse at me that I became both shaken and outraged at the same time. Shouting 'get the **** out or I will push you down the stairs myself', paralyzed me as I had never been threatened in this sort of manner. Having called the police unfortunately they are not able to take any steps against this man at this point, but if you have had this sort of experience I would urge you to call and report him as they will be able to act with more evidence.

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 customer care.

Visited Lena last Friday for a works Summer party with 14 people. Food was top quality and well presented, particularly for the price!

The staff paid close attention to each of the party, and made good solid recommendations on main courses and wine.

Didn't feel rushed like you do at other restaurants in the area... and felt that you could stay there as long as you liked.

£14 lunch menu is a bargain for the quality of food that you get, and the a la carte menu still represents great value.

Will definitely come back again.

Definitely one of the better Italian restaurants I have been to. The service is friendly and efficient. The food is great; I was a little disappointed by the size of my starter but this was made up for when I received my main course! It is a little more expensive than some Italians but that is because you are paying for better food and a much better collection of wines. I was very happy and will definitely go back in the future.

I recently went to Lena on a Thursday night. The place was buzzing with great atmosphere and vibe. The service was also exceptional, you don't even need to raise your head up and someone will attend to you! The veal was a great choice and I would highly recommend it.
This wasn't my first visit to Lena and will definitely not be the last! Anyone that wants a true Italian dining experience, this is the place to go!

I have been into Lena a few times now and am yet to be disappointed. I have heard negative reports about all aspects - food, service, decor and can see no fault in any of them. The decor is fresh and creative which sets it apart from other Italians and pizzerias. The food is fantastic; the portions are maybe a little over-generous. From my first visit the service has just got better - the staff are very good a recognising a familiar face and are obliging and friendly whether it is quiet or during peak-service hours.

We went to Lena on Friday 2nd October 2009 and will definitely be going back. It was the best meal I've had in a long time and the place is really stylish.

There is also a bar downstairs with a live Jazz band. It's quite handy too as in the centre of Shoreditch (right next to the Great Eastern Dining Rroms & Cantaloupe) so cool if you fancy drinks before or after.

The meal came to £113 for two of us and that included starters, mains, a shared dessert and a £40 bottle of wine.

Wonderful! the best Italian food i have eaten in ages! will be back again on Friday!!

Am craving some more delicious homemade pasta! hehehe!

We ate there on Saturday night and had a great time.

The food was lovely (the black pasta and seafood was gorgeous), the staff were friendly and prompt, and the atmosphere was buzzing.

I have already recommended it to others.

I've been to Lena on a Saturday night. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is proper Italian food, however I would stick to more traditional dishes on the menu.

The pasta with truffles and parma ham was very good, the secondi, filled chicken with spinach and cheese was not good for a main course.

The atmosphere and lighting of the restaurant is nice, however it became extremely loud later in the night (past 10pm) such that you have to shout to be understood.

Also the chairs are not very comfortable. Still, overall a pleasant evening. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.

Another beautiful meal at Lena's - the evening started with a cocktail in the bar downstairs, relaxing music, fab decor. This prepares you for the delights that you can expect to eat, excellent food, beautifully prepared and thoroughly enjoyed! Beware not to fill up on the delicious bread, it is very moreish. I only wish they would bag up and sell the amazing biscuits that they serve with the coffee. I would buy them by the bucket!!! The wine list is pretty good too, we have tried a bottle or four! Go and enjoy - you won't be disappointed.

I don`t know about the deco, not Italian really is it? maybe Milan.
Any way about the food, its amazing, every dish works together.
The service, I tell you they are very lucky to have the two Tonys.
I met them last weekened and they are great, see you next week

We ate at Lena's shortly after it opened and we were wowed then - they have however certainly got their act together. The chef is a genius! Beautiful Italian food! My father was Italian and I do not eat Italian food out, because it is never as good as I would make or get at home, however I have found true Italian food, served by charming Italian waiters with true Italian hospitality. The setting is chic and trendy, but charming and welcoming. The home made breads are divine, but you need to be careful not to over indulge, as the delights that follow need to be savoured fully. It is wonderful right up to the end, the home made almond biscuits are to die for.
(Can you make the biscuits and bag them up to sell, please?)
Fabulous selection of Italian wines - but then I am biased! Keep up the fantastic work.

My husband is Italian and I'm a keen cook, so between us we feel we know our Italian cuisine, and Lena is just great! Authentic and of a really high standard - the kind of food we expect, and regularly get, in Italy. I too have booked it for my birthday party - apart from the great food and lovely and efficient staff, it's just a perfect glam setting for a celebration! Highly recommended.

This was my third visit to Lena; each time I have been, the ambience with live jazz and beautiful interior have been a treat. I feel like I am in some chic Italian port rather than in usually dark and mysterious Shoreditch, with the swathes of white linen and glittering chandeliers! The service is relaxed, but attentive with smart staff and an owner who is obviously proud and passionate about his restaurant, named after his mother I was told. He casually speaks to customers, giving that familial Italian feel that I thought had all but died in London. You are never rushed; we spent almost three hours this time, feeling comfortable to relax and enjoy.

I am a food lover and I cannot understand how anyone could be negative about the food! The portions are far from measly and anyone who eats out in London should know that main courses are served without sides that you order as required…it’s not Bella Pasta! Everything I have eaten here has been delicately flavoured, allowing the flavour of obviously good quality produce to shine, with the provenance of the ingredients listed in the menu. The starter of homemade pumpkin ravioli was richly autumnal in flavour with as much parmesan as I wanted – a rare treat of the whole bowl being left on my table rather than the usual sprinkle! I then had fillet of beef with Porcini and pears, cooked to perfection. I could eat a bowl of the rosemary roasted potatoes, but then I wouldn’t have space for the chocolate torte with oranges which is nothing short of a decadent, truffled slab of loveliness! To finish off, a proper espresso with homemade biscuits (as if you haven’t indulged enough!).

For so long, Italian food has been unfashionable and tacky; Lena not only makes Italian food stylish,but it offers something rare in London; the feeling that you are a ‘regular’, a convivial atmosphere that you can only attribute to the Italian passion that is everywhere. I love it so much I have booked the downstairs bar for my birthday!

I came here on Friday evening on a friends recommendation. This is definitely the best restaurant in East London, which is handy as I live just five minutes down the road so I'll be back more often, even if just for a few drinks. The food was more than good; they were not shy on portion size, the dessert was even amazing, the best chocolate torte you have ever tatsed, the wine list is magnificent and the cocktail menu is even better!
The style is fab and the staff are just the icing on the cake!
A very enjoyable experience, now I'm looking forward to a Friday night downstairs in the bar with friends, cocktails and live music.

I ate here last night and have to say that the lamb was devine. Love the decor, very relaxing and a great place to meet and catch up with friends over a nice bottle of wine or two! Staff helpful and polite and know the menu well with good recommendations. I have already booked my work Christmas party there, look forward to tasting the Christmas menu!

My work mates and I came here for dinner 'off the cuff' just to see what the place was like and we were suitably impressed!
The incredibly tender rack of lamb, (Carre D’Agnello al Forno 18.00), peccorino & broadbean mash and the quality of the roast veal T-bone and seasonal vegetables , which although is priced above £20 (Nodino di Vitello 24.00) were mouth watering and worth every penny!.
We found the service was ‘attentive and friendly’ the décor and ambience were stylish and sophisticated (quite rare these days)….obviously a lot of money and effort went into the design and attention to detail was outstanding!
We loved the reclaimed railway sleepers used for the tables and bar. Very inventive!
We had amazing cocktails (particularly loved the Negroni & Espresso Martini) after dinner downstairs in the lounge and listened to some live jazz. How often can you say you have a gorgeous meal, looked after by staff as if you are millionaires and all in a venue that looks like it was made for the Hoi Poloi!! Fantastic - above and beyond your expectations!
Definately will be coming again, with friends, family and of course work colleagues!

66 Great Eastern Street has long been a death trap for restaurant ventures and after eating there last night, it seems that Lena is doomed to the same fate as its predecessors. The room itself is nice and lively - they've obviously pumped a lot of money into the place. There were some positives about the food as well - the flavours were not bad and the produce is obviously high quality. But that's where it ends. The service, which had given the appearance of attentiveness at the beginning of the meal, quickly fell apart. Dishes were forgotten, complaints were shrugged off and the whole mood began to sour. And while the food could be tasty, it was not always cooked well, the portions were miniscule and ingredients were not always mentioned on the menu. This is bad under any circumstances, but at the prices they charge, it is truly galling. The management, who gave no impression of wanting to take on board the views of their customers, are going to have learn pretty quickly to change their approach or we'll soon see another restaurant opening up in its place.

66 Great Eastern Street has long been a death trap for restaurant ventures and after eating there last night, it seems that Lena is doomed to the same fate as its predecessors. The room itself is nice and lively - they've obviously pumped a lot of money into the place. There were some positives about the food as well - the flavours were not bad and the produce is obviously high quality.

But that's where it ends. The service, which had given the appearance of attentiveness at the beginning of the meal, quickly fell apart. Dishes were forgotten, complaints were shrugged off and the whole mood began to sour.

And while the food could be tasty, it was not always cooked well, the portions were miniscule and ingredients were not always mentioned on the menu. This is bad under any circumstances, but at the prices they charge, it is truly galling. The management, who gave no impression of wanting to take on board the views of their customers, are going to have learn pretty quickly to change their approach or we'll soon see another restaurant opening up in its place.

The worst experience I have had at a restaurant in a long long time! We were looking forward to a delicious Italian fair but what was offered was overpriced mean portions of food. The taste was not bad but when the main courses hover around 20 pounds you would expect more than tiny portions of unscaled fish, or a small steak served with no accompaniments. The service was worse than the food which is a lot to ask - the manager simply shrugged his shoulders when we mentioned the scales on the fish, and failed to apologize for forgetting one of our main courses.

WOW - its lovely! What a treat, wonderful atmosphere, great music - attentive staff and fabulous food! What more could one ask for - will certainly be back.