Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Introduce
New York City's love for Italian food is as deep as it is long-standing. From classic red-sauce joints to upscale modern eateries, the city is a haven for Italian cuisine lovers. But for many New Yorkers, the true measure of a great Italian restaurant isn't just about a fancy dining room; it's about authentic, delicious, and generously portioned comfort food that feels like a taste of home. In the heart of the Upper East Side, Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) has established itself as a go-to spot for exactly that. It's a place that prioritizes flavor and quality, earning a loyal following with its no-fuss approach and exceptional dishes.
Lena's Italian Kitchen is the kind of place that embodies the spirit of a classic neighborhood spot. It's casual, cozy, and focuses entirely on the food. The menu is a celebration of Italian classics, from hearty pasta dishes to savory entrees and heroes. While the provided review suggests there is no dine-in seating, which is important to note, the focus on delivery and takeout speaks to its role as a convenient and reliable source of delicious meals for those in the area. This article will guide you through everything that makes Lena's Italian Kitchen a worthwhile choice for your next Italian food craving.
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Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) is located at 1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA. This address places it squarely in a bustling, residential part of the Upper East Side, a neighborhood known for its vibrant community and a wide array of dining options. Its placement on 2nd Avenue makes it easily accessible for the many residents and workers in the area.
While the provided information notes "dine-in" as a service option, a customer review specifies that there is no seating. This discrepancy suggests that while the business may technically offer a dine-in option, it is primarily a takeout and delivery focused kitchen. The best way to enjoy Lena's is to take your food to go or have it delivered. The neighborhood is well-served by public transportation, including the Q train at 72nd Street and the 4 and 6 trains at 68th Street. For drivers, paid street parking is available, though it can be a challenge to find a spot in the busy Upper East Side. Lena's also features a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, ensuring convenience for a wide range of customers.
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Lena's Italian Kitchen focuses on providing convenient and fast service to its patrons. The services are designed to meet the needs of a modern, fast-paced city lifestyle.
- Delivery: As a "Delivery Restaurant," this is a core service. Lena's brings its delicious Italian food right to your doorstep, a perfect solution for a cozy night in.
- Takeout: For those who are in the neighborhood, the takeout option allows you to quickly pick up your order and enjoy it elsewhere.
- Dining Options: The menu covers a wide range of meals, with options for lunch, dinner, and catering, making it a flexible choice for both individual meals and group events.
- Fast Service: The restaurant is highlighted for its "fast service," a significant advantage in a busy area where people are often on a tight schedule.
- Convenient Payments: They accept credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making transactions quick and easy.
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What makes Lena's Italian Kitchen stand out is its commitment to serving high-quality, authentic Italian food with a comforting, home-cooked feel.
- Delicious Pasta: This is arguably the biggest highlight. Customer reviews rave about the pasta, describing it as "very delicious," "perfectly cooked and creamy," and even "one of the best pastas I’ve ever tasted!" This is a testament to the kitchen's dedication to its craft.
- Large Portions and Decently Priced: Diners consistently appreciate the generous portion sizes, which offer great value for money in a city where dining can be expensive.
- Authentic Rigatoni Dishes: The menu's focus on rigatoni-based dishes, like the Chicken Alla Vodka Hero and Pasta Alla Vodka, is a key feature. This suggests a specialization in this beloved pasta shape.
- Diverse Menu: Beyond pasta, the menu offers a wide variety of Italian favorites. You can find classic "Heros," a range of "Entrees" like Chicken Parm and Grilled Salmon, and delicious "Appetizers" like Fried Mozzarella and homemade meatballs.
- Comfort Food: The restaurant specializes in "comfort food," providing dishes that are both hearty and satisfying, perfect for a cozy night in.
- Catering: The availability of catering services makes Lena's a great option for office lunches, parties, or any event that calls for delicious Italian food for a crowd.
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To place an order or for any inquiries, you can contact Lena's Italian Kitchen at:
Address: 1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Phone: (212) 725-5362
Mobile Phone: +1 212-725-5362
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For a New Yorker on the Upper East Side, the decision to choose Lena's Italian Kitchen is a simple one, driven by a desire for exceptional food without the pretense. One reviewer's comment sums it up perfectly: "So Friendly and so great that you don’t have to go to a pretentious Italian restaurant to get quality food." This highlights a key value proposition of Lena's—it delivers top-tier quality in a casual, accessible way. The rave reviews about the pasta's taste, creaminess, and generous portions are a powerful endorsement.
Despite the lack of a formal dine-in space as mentioned in a review, this seems to be a non-issue for its loyal patrons, who are happy to enjoy the food via takeout or delivery. This focus on off-premise dining allows the kitchen to prioritize fast service and food quality. For those looking for a delicious, reliable, and authentic Italian meal that feels both comforting and expertly prepared, Lena's Italian Kitchen is a top choice. It's a testament to the fact that in New York, a great restaurant is defined not by its decor, but by the excellence of its food and its ability to consistently satisfy its customers.
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Rigatoni
Heros
- Chicken Club Hero $15.50
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets, lettuce, tomatoes & Italian dressing
- Chicken Alla Vodka Hero $17.75
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce,diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella
- Meatball Parm Hero $15.50
- Eggplant Parm Hero $15.50
- Chicken Parm Hero $16.75
Beverages
- Diet Coke $3.00
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Poland Spring $2.25
- Snapple $3.00
- Sprite $3.00
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
- San Pelligrino $3.00
- Coke $3.00
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
Entrees
- Meatball Parm Platter $20.50
Homemade meatballs, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Grilled Salmon $29.50
Grilled Norwegian salmon served over sauteed broccoli rabe and tuscan white beans.
- Chicken Paillard $26.25
Grilled chicken topped with choice of sauteed spinach, broccoli or broccoli rabe.
- Chicken Alla Vodka $22.75
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce,diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella
- Chicken Parm Platter $21.50
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Chicken Semi-Freddo $26.25
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets topped with mixed greens, red onion, shaved parmesan & cherry tomato salad
- Chicken Francese $26.25
Egg battered chicken scallopine sauteed in white wine, lemon and butter sauce.
- Chicken Marsala $26.25
Chicken scallopine simmered in mushroom and Marsala wine brown sauce.
- Eggplant Parm Platter $20.50
Egg battered eggplant, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
Desserts
- Tiramisu $7.00
Sponge cake soaked in espresso, topped with mascarpone and coffee creams, dusted with cocoa powder.
Side Pasta
- Side Pasta Alfredo $14.75
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Side Pasta Garlic & Oil $13.75
Sauteed garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Side Pasta Bolognese $14.75
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce.
- Side Pasta Vodka $14.75
Imported prosciutto sauteed in a creamy vodka sauce.
- Side Pasta Marinara $13.75
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Side Pasta Pomodoro $13.75
Traditional Italian tomato sauce.
Appetizers
- Garlic Bread $9.75
Topped with melted mozzarella.
- Fried Mozzarella $16.00
Homemade pan-fried fresh mozzarella wedges, served with marinara sauce
- Calamari Arrabbiata $22.75
Fried calamari tossed with flame roasted peppers in a spicy Arrabbiata plum tomato sauce. Serves 2
- Calamari Fritti $20.25
Served with marinara sauce. Serves 2.
- Lena's Homemade Meatballs $14.00
Right outta the sauce, topped with fresh ricotta
Small Salads
- Small Caesar Salad $11.25
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon Caesar dressing.
- Small Market Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Small Garden Salad $11.25
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olives , cucumbers, mozzarella and Italian dressing.
- Small Mediterranean Salad $12.25
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette.
- Small Pecan Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette.
Pastas
- Pasta Bolognese $27.25
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce, topped with fresh ricotta.
- Pasta Carbonara $29.25
Imported pancetta, onions sauteed in a classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Marinara $22.50
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Shrimp Marinara $30.50
Shrimp sauteed in garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Shrimp Oreganate $30.50
Shrimp and spinach sauteed in garlic and white wine scampi sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs.
- Pasta And Meatballs $26.50
Meatballs and traditional Italian tomato sauce.
- Pasta Fiorentina $30.00
Baked chicken,spinach and mozzrella sauteed in creamy pink sauce.
- Pasta Garlic & Oil $22.50
Sauteed Garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Pasta Alfredo $27.25
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Al Forno $25.00
Our version of the classic baked ziti.
- Pasta Broccoli $27.00
Fresh broccoli florest sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Pasta Alla Vodka $27.00
Imported prosciutto sauteed in creamy vodka sauce.
Vegetables
- Side Of Spinach $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Broccoli $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Broccoli Rabe $11.00
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
Large Salads
- Large Market Salad $17.00
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Large Garden Salad $15.75
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olives , cucumbers, mozzarella and Italian dressing.
- Large Mediterranean Salad $17.00
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette.
- Large Pecan Salad $17.00
Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette.
- Large Caesar Salad $15.75
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon Caesar dressing.
Soups
- Stracciatella Soup $11.00
Traditional Italian egg drop soup with spinach.
- Tortellini En Brodo $11.00
Cheese tortellini pasta served in chicken broth
- Pasta E Fagioli $11.00
Ditalini pasta and cannellini beans served in crushed plum tomato and roasted garlic broth.
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Paid street parking
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Photos










Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Location
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES)
1167 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
Lena's Italian Kitchen (UES) Reviews
deliverypricechicken parmmeatballssandwichpenne alla vodkagrilled chickenportion sizespackagingchain
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Very delicious pasta. Large portions and decently priced. The pasta is always perfectly cooked and creamy; have been here multiple times. There is no seating or dining in, you must order to-go. Would recommend ordering from here.
May 20 · PhoOne of the best pastas I’ve ever tasted! And I’ve been to Italy!So Friendly and so great that you don’t have to go to a pretentious Italian restaurant to get quality food.Love you guys
June 09 · Mr. LuisI decided to try this restaurant because I love Italian food and it's named after "me" haha 😄 jk. It was delicious, I will order again and I do recommend. The only thing that I don't really like is that in order to place a direct order through their website you must create an account and provide all your information. Check out as guest should be an option.
February 26 · Lena PDon't let the small takeout only restaurant front fool you. For the value and flavor, it's worth dropping by and picking up a meal to take home. I had the Meatball Parmigian entre, and it was pretty good, not bad for the price.
April 18 · Rique LGreat solid food. Most importantly, it’s consistent. You won’t get a bad meal one day and a good one another day. They have their sauces down, perfectly seasoned and cooked to achieve that velvety texture. I love how the dishes are customizable. For example, I was able to remove prosciutto from my sauce in the options. I don’t eat pork so this was huge for me! Lena has great people working in the kitchen, and I’ve never physically been here (I order out), but I can tell it’s made with love. If I’m ever in the mood for pasta, I know I can get it from here and it’ll be good, so thank you!!
November 02 · Bee G
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