Lena's Italian Kitchen Introduce
In the bustling landscape of New York City's dining scene, finding a spot that delivers both quality and comfort can feel like a rare find. Lena's Italian Kitchen, situated at 551 2nd Ave #2F in New York, NY 10016, stands out as a reliable destination for authentic, homestyle Italian food. This casual and unpretentious kitchen has built a reputation for its classic dishes, generous portions, and a focus on providing a satisfying, no-frills meal that hits the spot every time. It's the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret, a go-to for locals seeking the kind of Italian comfort food that reminds them of home.
The core of Lena's Italian Kitchen's appeal lies in its straightforward and delicious menu. The focus is on traditional, flavorful dishes that don't need fancy names or presentations to impress. From a variety of classic pasta dishes like Pasta alla Vodka and Pasta Bolognese to hearty platters and heroes, the menu is built on a foundation of tried-and-true recipes. A quick look at the menu reveals a commitment to Italian classics, including appetizers like Fried Mozzarella and Lena's Homemade Meatballs, and main courses such as the Chicken Parm Platter and Eggplant Parm Platter. The simplicity is a strength; it ensures that every dish is crafted with a focus on flavor and consistency, making it a dependable choice for lunch or dinner.
One of the most praised aspects of Lena's is the incredible value and portion sizes. Customers frequently highlight that the portions are "incredibly tasty and great," often large enough to be split between two people or to provide leftovers for another meal. This is a significant advantage in a city where value can sometimes be hard to find. The restaurant is also known for its "fast service," which is a huge plus for those on a tight schedule. This combination of speed, generous portions, and consistent quality makes it a popular choice for delivery and takeout, as well as for a quick, casual dine-in meal. Lena's Italian Kitchen is a testament to the fact that great food doesn't have to be complicated; it just has to be made with care and good ingredients.
While the focus is on convenience and comfort, the quality of the food is never compromised. The sauces are often praised for being "garlicky" and rich, and even simple side orders are noted for their freshness. Whether you're craving a rich and creamy Alfredo, a hearty Bolognese, or a classic hero sandwich, Lena's offers a taste of traditional Italy in a way that is accessible and comforting. It is a place that understands its clientele—people who appreciate good, honest food and a straightforward, reliable experience.
Lena's Italian Kitchen is located at 551 2nd Ave #2F, New York, NY 10016, USA. This places it in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Midtown East, a bustling area with a mix of residential buildings and offices. Its address on 2nd Avenue makes it easily reachable for those working or living in the vicinity, and it’s well-served by public transportation.
For guests with mobility needs, the restaurant provides a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring a smooth and easy entry into the establishment. The location also offers the convenience of Paid street parking nearby, a useful feature in a dense urban environment. This combination of a central location and thoughtful accessibility makes it a practical and convenient choice for a wide range of customers.
Lena's Italian Kitchen is a versatile food destination that caters to a variety of dining needs. The services available include:
- Service Options: The restaurant provides Dine-in service for those who want to eat on-site, but its primary focus appears to be on Takeout and Delivery, making it an excellent choice for a convenient meal at home or the office.
- Dining Options: The menu is available for both Lunch and Dinner. They also provide Catering services for larger groups and events, allowing you to bring their delicious comfort food to any gathering.
- Payments: Customers can pay using a variety of methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Lena's Italian Kitchen is known for a number of features that contribute to its popularity and reputation as a local favorite. These highlights include:
- Fast Service: The restaurant is highlighted for its Fast service, which is particularly valuable for the busy New York crowd looking for a quick and efficient meal.
- Comfort Food Focus: The menu is a masterclass in classic Comfort food, offering hearty and satisfying Italian staples that feel like a home-cooked meal.
- Generous Portions: Many customer reviews praise the generous portion sizes, noting that a single order is often enough for more than one person, making it an excellent value.
- Vegetarian Options: The menu includes a variety of Vegetarian options, such as Eggplant Parm, ensuring that a wide range of dietary preferences can be accommodated.
- Casual Atmosphere: The vibe of the restaurant is described as Casual, creating a relaxed and comfortable environment for diners.
For inquiries, to place an order, or to learn more about their offerings, you can contact Lena's Italian Kitchen at the following:
Address: 551 2nd Ave # 2F, New York, NY 10016, USA
Phone: (646) 846-5362
When you're in the Kips Bay area and craving a satisfying Italian meal, Lena's Italian Kitchen is a choice that consistently delivers. What makes it particularly worthwhile is its commitment to providing delicious, authentic Italian comfort food without any pretense. The "fast service" and "great portion sizes" are frequently mentioned highlights that make it a standout. For a city known for its quick pace, the ability to get a high-quality, generously portioned meal in a short amount of time is a major selling point.
The food itself is the main attraction. The pasta dishes are a reliable and flavorful choice, with customer favorites including the Pasta Alla Vodka and the Pasta Bolognese. As one reviewer mentioned, the side orders of these pastas were "incredibly tasty" and came with fresh bread rolls, making for a truly satisfying and filling meal. The Chicken Parm Platter is also a highly recommended dish, praised for its generous size and comforting, classic flavor. For those who enjoy a good hero, the Chicken Parm Hero and Meatball Parm Hero are both excellent choices, offering the same great flavors in a convenient, handheld form.
The versatility of Lena's is another reason to choose it. It's not just a place for a dine-in meal; it's a go-to for delivery and takeout. Customers have noted that the food arrives hot and well-packaged, maintaining its quality even after travel. This makes it an ideal option for a cozy night in or a quick office lunch. While some may experience longer wait times for in-person pickups, the general consensus is that the food is worth the wait. It's a place that prioritizes the food itself, and the positive feedback on taste, freshness, and portion size reflects this commitment.
In a city full of options, Lena's Italian Kitchen carves out its niche by offering honest, delicious, and abundant Italian fare. It's a no-nonsense restaurant that focuses on what matters most: good food. Whether you're a local or just passing through, if you're in the mood for a hearty plate of pasta, a satisfying parm platter, or a hero that hits the spot, Lena's Italian Kitchen is a place you can count on for a consistently good experience.
Lena's Italian Kitchen Food & drink
Vegetables
- Side Of Broccoli $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Spinach $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
- Side Of Broccoli Rabe $10.25
Sauteed in garlic and oil.
Appetizers
- Fried Mozzarella $14.00
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.
- Garlic Bread $9.75
Topped with melted mozzarella.
- Lena's Homemade Meatballs $14.00
Right outta the sauce, topped with fresh ricotta
Side Pasta
- Side Pasta Alfredo $13.75
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Side Pasta Bolognese $13.75
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce.
- Side Pasta Vodka $13.75
Imported prosciutto sauteed in a creamy vodka sauce.
- Side Pasta Marinara $12.75
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Side Pasta Pomodoro $12.75
Traditional Italian tomato sauce.
- Side Pasta Garlic & Oil $12.75
Sauteed garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
Soups
- Pasta E Fagioli $11.00
Ditalini pasta and cannellini beans served in crushed plum tomato and roasted garlic broth.
- Tortellini En Brodo $11.00
Cheese tortellini pasta served in chicken broth
- Stracciatella Soup $11.00
Traditional Italian egg drop soup with spinach.
Desserts
- Tiramisu $7.00
Sponge cake soaked in espresso, topped with mascarpone and coffee creams, dusted with cocoa powder.
Beverages
- Diet Coke $2.75
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
- Snapple $2.75
- Coke $2.75
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
- Poland Spring $2.25
- Sprite $2.75
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
- San Pelligrino $3.00
Small Salads
- Small Mediterranean Salad $12.25
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, chickpeas, onions, feta cheese & red wine vinaigrette
- Small Caesar Salad $11.25
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon Caesar salad
- Small Garden Salad $11.25
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olive, cucumbers, mozzarella & Italian dressing
- Small Market Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette
- Small Pecan Salad $12.25
Mixed greens, honey roasted pecans, gorgonzola crumbles & balsamic vinaigrette
Large Salads
- 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 Garden Salad $15.75
Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, red peppers, olive, cucumbers, mozzarella & Italian dressing
- Large Market Salad $17.00
Mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, onions, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette
- Large Caesar Salad $15.75
Romaine lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan shavings & dijon caesar dressing
Pastas
- Pasta Shrimp Marinara $28.50
Shrimp sauteed in garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Carbonara $27.25
Imported pancetta, onions sauteed in a classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Fiorentina $28.00
Baked chicken,spinach and mozzrella sauteed in creamy pink sauce.
- Pasta Shrimp Oreganate $28.50
Shrimp and spinach sauteed in garlic and white wine scampi sauce, topped with toasted breadcrumbs.
- Pasta Bolognese $25.25
Southern Italian ground veal meat sauce, topped with fresh ricotta.
- Pasta Garlic & Oil $20.50
Sauteed Garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
- Pasta Alla Vodka $25.00
Imported prosciutto sauteed in creamy vodka sauce.
- Pasta And Meatballs $24.50
Meatballs and traditional Italian tomato sauce.
- Pasta Marinara $20.50
Garlic and herb plum tomato sauce.
- Pasta Alfredo $25.25
Classic creamy parmesan cheese sauce.
- Pasta Al Forno $25.00
Our version of the classic baked ziti.
- Pasta Broccoli $25.00
Fresh broccoli florest sauteed in garlic and oil.
Entrees
- Chicken Semi-Freddo $26.25
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets topped with mixed greens, red onion, shaved parmesan & cherry tomato salad
- Eggplant Parm Platter $20.50
Egg battered eggplant, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Chicken Francese $26.25
Egg battered chicken scallopine sauteed in white wine, lemon and butter sauce.
- 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 Marsala $26.25
Chicken scallopine simmered in mushroom and Marsala wine brown sauce.
- Chicken Paillard $26.25
Grilled chicken topped with choice of sauteed spinach, broccoli or broccoli rabe.
- 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.
Heros
- Chicken Club Hero $15.50
Grilled or fried chicken cutlets, lettuce, tomatoes & italian dressing
- Chicken Parm Hero $16.75
- Eggplant Parm Hero $15.50
- Meatball Parm Hero $15.50
- Chicken Alla Vodka Hero $17.75
Fried chicken cutlets, topped with vodka sauce,diced prosciutto & melted mozzarella
Lena's Italian Kitchen Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
Lena's Italian Kitchen Photos










Lena's Italian Kitchen Location
Lena's Italian Kitchen
551 2nd Ave # 2F, New York, NY 10016, USA
Lena's Italian Kitchen Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Wow! Placed order through uber eats. Very prompt service for lunchtime on Sunday. Incredibly tasty and great portion sizes. These were two side orders.I got the vodka sauce and the bolognese sides. They even threw in two rolls! The rolls might’ve been the best part - so fresh and filling. I will be ordering from here again.
March 02 · R. Jacob GilbertI’m 50/50 on my experience. The food was solid and I look forward to trying more dishes. But, I had a bad experience. I came in person to order a pick up order. I like to try to order directly with the restaurant so they don’t have to pay any unnecessary fees. I was quoted 10 minutes but they said likely even less. So I came back in 10 minutes. I waited in the lobby for another 20 minutes, even though I was only quoted
July 23 · Pat ZI ordered takeout from here and it was excellent! The food was delicious and the portions are huge. I thought the vodka sauce was done very nicely, not too thick or oily, and had green onion for some crunch. Also, not sure if it was the restaurant, but the food came super quickly, which was awesome. Overall, I recommend ordering out from here and I hope this helps!
June 20 · Matt DanielNot worth the price at all for the quality of food. Ordered pasta vodka with Extra Sauce and it not only came with way less sauce than desired, the sauce was too oily and had more veggies than sauce or meat.They also threw a small loaf of bread in the bag which I would’ve appreciated if it was packaged better. No aluminum foil or anything on it, it was just open in the bag next to the container of pasta.
May 05 · radNot sure who is cooking up the food but the food is absolutely amazing. My go to for take out Italian. The portions are generous, flavors are great and service is fast. Broccoli rabe is always on my order and their Mediterranean salad!Owner is also great and texted me to check how my meal was. Call them directly don’t use the apps to order!
January 09 · Vikas
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